Restaurant franchise business Craveworthy Brands has hired veteran corporate lawyer John Silvestri as its first ever general counsel.

Silvestri joins from US real estate business The John Buck Company where he has spent more than two decades as GC. At Craveworthy, Silvestri will be tasked to build a “comprehensive legal framework” to help support the company’s operational resilience. He will oversee corporate governance, franchise compliance, M&A negotiation and risk management across the company’s portfolio of restaurant brands.

Craveworthy owns a host of take-away and fast food franchise brands, including BD’s Mongolian, Krafted Burger Bar + Tap, Wing It On!, Flat Top Grill and taim Mediterranean Kitchen, among others. It most recently acquired California-based pizza restaurant Fresh Brothers.

Gregg Majewski, CEO and founder of Craveworthy, said: “John’s expertise and leadership will be a game-changer for Craveworthy as we redefine what success looks like in the restaurant and franchise industries. With his guidance, we’re going to develop a strong, dynamic foundation for the company to hit on our immediate tactical priorities and long-term strategic business goals.”

Silvestri had been at John Buck since 2001, having previously been a senior attorney editor at Thomson West Corp and an associate at Marks Marks and Kaplan before that. He started his legal career at Stellato & Schwartz in Chicago in 1995.

The company said his extensive expertise ensures Craveworthy is well-positioned to navigate the intricacies of corporate and franchise expansion while addressing the restaurant industry’s opportunities and challenges.

Silvestri said: “In this new role with Craveworthy, I’m looking forward to helping bring its vision for the future to life and helping lay the groundwork for its continued growth. With the right legal strategies in place, together, we’ll ensure the company leads the charge in innovation and excellence in the QSR (quick service restaurant) and fast casual sectors.”

In other fast food-related in-house moves, back in May, US doughnut giant Krispy Kreme hired former Mars lawyer Atiba Adams as chief legal officer, replacing Catherine Tang. Also in May, US pizza chain Marco’s Pizza promoted former Subway lawyer Kristin Corcoran to CLO, replacing Todd Watson.