Keith Richards
Founder
Keith and his wife Amy founded Taziki's in 1998. He served as President from May 1998 until December 2012, and then served as the Chief Franchise Officer from June 2012 till 2017. Keith has returned to manage the flagship market in Birmingham, AL, and continues to lead our culinary R+D and the HOPE project, Taziki's signature charity. Before creating Taziki’s, Keith Richards worked under the direction of Frank Stitt at Highlands Bar and Grill- which won the elusive 2018 James Beard Foundation Award for the most outstanding restaurant in America. Today, Keith and Amy and their two sets of twins live in Birmingham, AL, where Keith serves on the Shelby County Chamber Board and advances the cause of employing special needs students in Birmingham and across the country.
Dan Simpson
Chief Executive Officer
Dan Simpson was named CEO in February 2018 after serving as our Chief Innovation Officer starting in May 2016. Previously, he was a Taziki's franchisee and managing partner at Fresh Hospitality from January 2015 until May 2016. Mr. Simpson was the founder and CEO of ToGo Technologies from May 2012 until January 2015. He was the Chief Development Officer of Dispensary of Hope, Nashville, Tennessee from May 2008 until May 2012. Dan earned his BS in Science from Clearwater Christian College followed by his MBA from West Virginia University. Born in urban Philadelphia and raised in rural Maine, Dan and his wife Kim now live in Nashville, TN, with their 3 kids. Dan serves on the boards of the Shalom Foundation/Moore Pediatric Surgery Center and Dovehouse Ministries and is a member of TedXNashville Society of Fellows.
Billy Magruder
Chief Financial Officer
Billy Magruder has served as our Chief Financial Officer since December 2012. Previously, Billy was employed by Barber Companies, Inc., in Birmingham, Alabama from September 2001 until July 2012. Billy earned his BS in Accounting from Spring Hill College, followed by his MBA and is a Certified Public Accountant. Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Billy and his wife Terri now live in Birmingham with their three children. Billy serves on the board of The Exceptional Foundation and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the Alabama Society of CPAs.
Robert Brown
Vice President of Operations
Robert Brown has served as our Vice President of Operations since February 2023. He leads our Company and Franchise operations teams, as well as guiding Supply Chain, Standards and Innovations. Previously, Robert led Franchise Operations and Operations Services teams at Huddle House Inc for 5 years. Additional leadership roles with Melting Pot Inc and 22 years at YUM Brands in various project management, company & franchise operations support roles. Robert is a military veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Robert and his wife Lilia reside in Atlanta Georgia with their 3 daughters. In 2018, he earned his Certified Franchise Executive designation and has been partnering with restaurant industry Franchisees for over 25 years.
Lynn Edwards
Vice President of Human Resources and People Operations
Lynn joined the Taziki’s team in April 2023 as Vice President of Human Resources and People Operations. He has more than 25 years of progressive HR experience building high impact teams and creating winning cultures. Prior to joining Taziki’s, Lynn served as Vice President of Field Human Resources with CKE Restaurants Holdings, the parent company for Hardee’s and Carl’s Junior brands. Prior to working for CKE, Lynn served as the National Director of Field HR for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.
Lynn earned a BA in Psychology at the University of North Florida, an MA in Human Resources Management at Webster University, and a Professional MBA (ProMBA) at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Lynn was born in Syracuse, NY, and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. He and his wife Cherron now live in Murfreesboro, TN, with their three sons.
Lynn serves on the board of the Murfreesboro Achievement Foundation. Lynn is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and also Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., where he enjoys mentoring young students and helping them realize their extraordinary potential.
Lynn is a proud veteran of the US Army.
Julie Wade
Senior Director of Marketing
Julie comes to Taziki's with over 15 years of franchise and retail marketing experience. Beginning with a large franchisee of Blockbuster Video and then working for two franchisors in the restaurant segment, Julie has a deep knowledge of high-touch marketing strategies like local store marketing and a broad high-tech skill set with rewards programs, online ordering, and digital advertising. In 2018 she received her Certified Franchise Executive designation and continues to be active in the franchising community.
