Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> November 23, 2009
George Naddaff is the CEO of UFood Restaurant Group, Inc. He developed Boston Chicken/Boston Market Corporation into a national franchise brand, and in 1992 he sold it to a group of Blockbuster Inc. executives. In 1993 he shared in its record-setting IPO, with a 143% first-day increase. Mr. Naddaff has founded and/or been significantly involved with several other successful concepts, including Mulberry Child Care Centers Inc., which had over 90 childcare centers when it was sold to KinderCare Learning Centers, Inc.; Sylvan Learning, the nation's leading after-school learning facilities; Ranch*1, a New York-based chain of grilled chicken sandwich restaurants; Living and Learning Schools, which operated more than 50 upscale childcare facilities when it was sold to KinderCare; and VR Business Brokers, the nation's largest business brokerage franchise with more than 350 offices, which was acquired in 1986 by Christie's. Mr. Naddaff began his career in food service when he co-founded International Foods, which operated 19 KFC franchises in the Boston area and was sold in 1970. Profile
TWST: Would you begin with a brief historical sketch of the company and a picture of the things you are doing at the present time?
Mr. Naddaff: We started about five years ago, after taking over an
