Grimaldi’s Announces New Senior Director of Franchise Development and Project Management
Howard Barish Joins Grimaldi’s with Over 30 Years of Experience

(PHOENIX, AZ) – Grimaldi’s Pizzeria is thrilled to welcome new Senior Director of Franchise Development and Project Management Howard Barish to its team. Barish has over 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry as an owner, operator, multi-unit licensee, and commercial bakery president. Grimaldi’s is excited to have Barish on the team and to continue its expansion both domestically and internationally.
“While I recently officially joined the team, my journey with Grimaldi’s started many years ago as a frequent visitor and fan of the Las Vegas locations,” said Barish. “Since then, I have enjoyed watching Grimaldi’s evolve as a leader in the industry, and I look forward to helping introduce the concept to communities across the globe through this role.”
Barish spent most of his career developing and operating New York City’s globally recognized Stage Deli franchise in Las Vegas. He has also served as operating partner, managing editor and general manager for Gaming Today and president of operations and development for JRI Hospitality. Most recently, he was the president of operations and development for Chompie’s Restaurants.
“It has been a pleasure to welcome Howard onto the Grimaldi’s team,” said Michael Flaum, chief operating officer of Grimaldi’s. “He has an extensive amount of knowledge and a vast relationship network in this industry, and we look forward to watching Howard and Grimaldi’s continue to grow and improve.”
Barish joined Grimaldi’s Pizzeria amidst its recent announcement of expansion into Iowa. Grimaldi’s will open five new restaurants throughout the Midwest states in collaboration with Doughtime Pizza Company, LLC. There will also be five pizzerias opening in United Arab Emirates; locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are planned to open later this year with its franchisee The Tablez Group (?). The coal-fired brick oven pizzeria currently operates 42 company-owned restaurants throughout the United States and has one franchised location in Alabama.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
In the world of pizza, Grimaldi’s is an icon that has earned more awards than any other pizzeria in the country with more celebrity sightings than most 5-star restaurants. Using only the freshest ingredients, Grimaldi’s Famous Pizza Sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese and dough, Grimaldi’s serves traditional pizza (as it began in Naples, Italy) in an upscale yet casual, family-friendly pizzeria. The intense heat of the oven evenly bakes the pies to create Grimaldi’s famous crispy and smoky thin crust that Zagat has voted best pizza year after year. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria has seven locations in Arizona, including Gilbert, Chandler, Peoria, Flagstaff, and three in the Scottsdale area. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/61a0acc0/0FRUepS3KEqQOiv_njMWzQ?u=http://grimaldispizzeria.com/.