The Friendly Toast Has A New CEO And New VP Of Culinary Operations For Its 12 Locations

CONCORD, NH — A popular New England brunch restaurant has promoted two of its key employees in an effort to continue to grow beyond its current 12 locations around the region.

The Friendly Toast announced Tuesday that Staci Pinard, who has been with the company for about a decade, starting as the general manager of the company’s Cambridge location, has been named CEO. She was previously vice president of restaurant operations. Justin Fischer, the previous director of culinary operations, has been promoted to vice president of culinary operations. He joined the company in 2021 after working at “multiple multi-unit restaurants around the Boston area,” according to the company.

Pinard will focus on various restaurant operations, including HR, purchasing, training, and marketing, while Fischer will continue creating innovative dishes, cocktails, and training.

Eric Goodwin, the co-owner of the chain, commended the employees on their promotions and thanked them for their hard work.

“Staci has been a driving force in expanding our footprint across the region, while Justin has ensured our menu remains creative and chefs are committed to making our dishes from scratch using the freshest ingredients,” he said. “Staci and Justin are a power-duo and we’re confident these new roles will enable them to showcase their skills to the benefit of employees and customers.”

Scott Pulver, another co-owner, said the pair were “well-suited to carry on” the chain’s “top-notch service and delicious, one-of-a-kind dishes to every visitor” as they continue to open new locations around the region.

Pinard said she was “thrilled” to be promoted and excited by the transition.

“I couldn’t have achieved this career milestone without the support of the entire team,” she said. “I am extremely proud of the many team members who remain committed to our core values and strive to consistently improve our restaurants. It has been a pleasure to work in the brunch space over the past decade, as well as spread the energetic and funky atmosphere of The Friendly Toast to communities across New England.”

Fischer said he looked forward to continuing the chain’s “distinctive flair and high-quality reputation” while pleasing customers.

“I’ve had a front-row seat as we have grown The Friendly Toast these past two years, reaching more customers with our unique dishes cooked to perfection and new flavors within every bite,” he said. “As I continue to work closely with our regional chefs and kitchen staff, I’m excited to find new ways to boost efficiency and infuse creativity into our monthly specials and our food and drink menus.”

The most recent new opening, the restaurant’s 12th, was in Nashua, NH. The restaurant chain has locations in Portsmouth and Bedford, NH; seven locations in Massachusetts — Back Bay, Burlington, Danvers, North Andover, Chestnut Hill, Dedham, and Cambridge; and Burlington, Vermont, and Portland, Maine. The company plans new openings in Salem, NH, in August and Concord, NH, in early 2025, in the new Arts Alley building on South Main Street.

Goodwin, who runs Goodwin Hospitality and Associates in Concord, NH, and Pulver, a Bay State real estate broker, purchased the Cambridge, MA, and Portsmouth, NH, locations in 2013 from the Jasper family after they put the restaurants up for sale in late 2011.

Learn more about The Friendly Toast here.

Do you have a news tip? Please email it to tony.schinella@patch.com. View videos on Tony Schinella's YouTube.com channel or Rumble.com channel. Follow the NH politics Twitter account @NHPatchPolitics for all our campaign coverage.