C3 - Fastest Growing Food Tech Unicorn - Appoints Former Overstock CPO as Chief Product and Technology Officer to Accelerate Innovation

MIAMI, Jan. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- C³ (Creating Culinary Communities), the leading global food tech platform founded by visionary Sam Nazarian, has today announced the appointment of Vikram Raghavan as Chief Product and Technology Officer. Raghavan's extensive expertise will bolster C³'s product and technology departments, forging an exciting new path ahead by accelerating the company's prowess in data science, digital marketing, and eCommerce. 

Conceptualized in 2019, C³ experienced accelerated growth this past year as the hospitality industry saw massive digital adoption. Raghavan was driven to C³ after observing the pandemic's impact on the industry as consumers made a dramatic shift to online ordering and last-mile delivery. Given how nascent food commerce technology is, he is keen to leverage his experience from rapidly scaling companies, like Amazon and Singlecare, to further identify the areas of untapped growth C³ can expand upon. In his fifteen year career at distinguished technology staples, like Overstock, Raghavan has managed over $5B in marketing spend, which uniquely positions him to lead both the technology and marketing strategies of C³'s premium QSR brands.

"Sam is an icon in the global lifestyle industry and has capitalized on his know-how to build a highly-differentiated QSR business backed by the most distinguished culinary talent," said Raghavan, a veteran in the eCommerce space. "With C³, Sam has given Michelin-rated chefs access to the masses by providing them with a platform to distribute their recipes across kitchens worldwide without sacrificing quality and at an affordable price point."

Prior to joining C³, Raghavan accomplished a storied history of launching products and scaling technology across large and small companies. During his tenure as Chief Product Officer at Singlecare and Overstock.com, he built and managed various eCommerce, multi-channel marketing, and data science organizations, while also developing product roadmaps. Raghavan has also held various leadership roles at Amazon, Capital One, and Cafepress.

"In preparation of another explosive year of growth at C³, Vik's refreshing—and calculated—Silicon Valley-trained tech perspective is critical," says Sam Nazarian, Founder and CEO of C³. "There is no doubt in my mind that hiring him as Chief Product and Technology Officer will further establish us as not only a hospitality company, but a fierce tech contender. Under his helm, we're excited to continue to transform how we evolve contemporary dining."

With efficiency and data at the forefront, Raghavan will amplify C³'s growth strategy by addressing three key pillars: activating online channels to create an influx of demand, leveraging software to create operational efficiencies, and building a data science approach to pricing and supply chain automation.

Additionally, he will focus on transforming C³'s first-of-its-kind application, GO by Citizens, which supports shifting consumer preferences through data; allowing customers to pick and choose their favorite menu items from multiple restaurants and conveniently put them in one single order.

Raghavan joins C³ effective January 19, 2022, following the appointment of Pasha Mehran as Chief Strategy Officer. The two add to the more than 3,500 employees C³ hired across the U.S. in 2021. The brand plans to hire another 5,000 employees domestically and internationally with offices in Miami, Los Angeles, New York, London, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

About C³

C³ (Creating Culinary Communities) is re-imagining the food service industry at a time when change is needed most. Founded and led by visionary Sam Nazarian with minority investors Simon, a global leader in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations, and Accor, the world-leading augmented hospitality group, C³ is simultaneously, systematically and broadly bringing together technology, underutilized retail, hotel and kitchen spaces and world-class culinary talent. C³'s array of culinary brands co-exist to disrupt the food & beverage industry by capitalizing on rapidly evolving customer preferences through C³ established shared kitchens, Citizens food halls and mobile delivery with the next-gen Citizens GO app set to launch in 2021. Current C³ brands include Umami Burger, Krispy Rice, Sam's Crispy Chicken, EllaMia, In a Bun, The Other Side and Dani Garcia's El Pollo Verde, with many other brands in the pipeline. As of March 2021, C³ operates 800 digital kitchens across the U.S. To learn more, visit c3sbe.com.

Contact: 
Sling & Stone 
[email protected]

SOURCE C3 by sbe