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As president and chief operating officer of Raving Brands, Stephen LaMastra brings multiple-brand experience, large-scale national retail expertise and a billion-dollar background to the Atlanta-based fast-casual dining leader. He is known in the broader retail industry as a leader with unique vision, and a powerful focus on growth and strategy. LaMastra joined Raving Brands in 2005 to oversee day-to-day operations of the company and each of its nine portfolio brands. He has overseen development of strategic plans for marketing, operations, real estate and sales for each of the brands, which include Moe’s Southwest Grill, Doc Green’s Gourmet Salads and Shane’s Rib Shack. Under LaMastra’s leadership, Raving Brands is quickly growing into a vast empire, moving strategically towards global domination in the restaurant franchise industry. To that end, LaMastra in his first year at Raving Brands has expanded, upgraded and restructured the management team; brought in a major financial partner; acquired a long-sought after breakfast concept; and set the company on a course to unprecedented growth. Before joining Raving Brands, LaMastra served as a senior executive at Washington, D.C.-based Ritz Camera Centers, where he oversaw much of the corporate side of the company including the areas of real estate, legal affairs, human resources, strategic planning and acquisitions. Prior to that, LaMastra served as chief corporate officer for Wolf Camera, Inc., an Atlanta-based retail company that was acquired by Ritz Camera in 2001. A corporate lawyer by training, he launched his career in real estate finance and development with Alston & Bird, one of Atlanta’s most prestigious law firms. LaMastra earned an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and a law degree from Vanderbilt University. He serves on the boards of the Horizon Theatre and VSA Arts of Georgia and VSA International in Washington, D.C., and is a member of the Ansley Golf Club in Atlanta. LaMastra lives in Atlanta with his wife and three children. | 