Restaurant company names CFO

Restaurant company names CFO

Tracey Smith. Courtesy Meritage Hospitality Group

A locally based restaurant company has appointed its chief financial officer. 

Grand Rapids-based Meritage Hospitality Group said this month that it has named Tracey Smith to the role of CFO and VP.

Smith has spent the past 11 years with Meritage, starting as financial analyst and moving to controller and director of finance.

She will report to Gary Rose, who was recently appointed to president, in addition to his title of chief operating officer.

As CFO, Smith will oversee the issuance and management of financial information to the company's board of directors. The company is publicly traded in the OTCQX marketplace under the symbol MHGU.

Previously, Smith worked for Beene Garter for five years.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management from Davenport University and an M.B.A. from Western Michigan University.

Meritage

Meritage recently opened The Wheelhouse, a casual-dining concept in downtown Grand Rapids, and acquired eight Wendy’s locations in the Oklahoma City area.

The company operates 173 restaurants in eight states and employs more than 5,500 people. 

Earlier this spring, Meritage announced a goal to operate 285 restaurants by 2021.

It will soon be moving to a new office in Arena Place.