GPS Hospitality, a rapidly growing franchisee with more than 400 BURGER KING and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurants in 11 states, announces the next major step in the organization’s growth: the acquisition of 75 Pizza Hut restaurants in Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee, bringing the grand total of GPS’ footprint to 13 states.
 
GPS Hospitality spent months of reflection and research to identify its third brand, and the company is excited to solidify its agreements to acquire its newest restaurants. The Quick Service Restaurant franchisee expects to break 500 restaurants across the country this year and sees opportunities for future growth within Yum! Brands, the parent company of Pizza Hut.
 
“Pizza Hut is a mature and beloved brand with dominance in the space,” said GPS Hospitality CEO Tom Garrett. “Not only does the brand see value in investing in its people, but also positioning itself as an industry leader with its recent NFL sponsorship, plus innovations with its app and delivery offerings. Our partnership with Pizza Hut is a deliberate move to align ourselves with a brand that reflects our values and business sensibilities. The addition of the third brand and expansion into new territories are major milestones for our company.”
 
GPS Hospitality is also excited to announce the addition of Kent Dawdy as Vice President of Operations to spearhead this new division within the company. Dawdy has more than 30 years of experience in the QSR industry, including more than 20 years with Arby’s. Most recently, he worked with Atlanta-based Sterling Restaurants which operates Shane’s Rib Shacks and Moe’s Southwest Grills.
 
Dawdy is no stranger to Yum! Brands, having previously held an equity position with KBP foods, a national operator of Kentucky Fried Chicken and Taco Bell restaurants. Rounding out GPS’ Pizza Hut leadership team are Director of Operations Zack Wilcox and Travis Kirkland, both of whom were promoted from District Leaders from the company’s Burger King division.
 
“I am proud to come on board at GPS Hospitality, which has become one of the largest multi-unit franchisees in the United States in just six years,” Dawdy said. “The company’s Goal Focused, People Oriented and Service Obsessed values have proven itself as great groundwork with Burger King restaurants, and I have no doubt these values will translate into success with the Pizza Hut brand.”
 
“Kent’s years of experience in this competitive industry already have made him an invaluable addition at GPS,” Garrett said. “We’re so fortunate to have him, Zack and Travis leading these restaurant teams and helping to instill our philosophy and dedication in achieving the best guest experience that is so essential to our company’s success.”