Stephen LaMastra

President and COO, Raving Brands
Topic: "The Evolution of an Atlanta Portfolio Company"
May 17, 2007
Webcast | Podcast

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.

LaMastra joined Raving Brands in May 2005 to oversee operations for the company's nine portfolio brands. He has been instrumental in developing strategic plans for marketing, operations, real estate and sales for each of the company's 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, strategically working towards the goal of global domination in the restaurant franchise industry. To that end, LaMastra has in his first year at Raving Brands expanded, upgraded and restructured the management team, brought in a 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, human resources, strategic planning and acquisitions. 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.