Franchise Powerhouses Join Dog Haus Leadership Team

Dog Haus has appointed Chris Rigassio as president and chief development officer and Garen Khodaverdian as chief operating officer, marking a significant shift in the chain's growth strategy. Both executives have also become equity partners alongside founders Hagop Giragossian, Quasim Riaz and André Vener, and CEO Michael Montagano.

The leadership moves are tied to a 50-unit development deal, with the brand's first location under the new partnership opening in San Fernando, California, earlier this spring. Rigassio and Khodaverdian will lead Dog Haus's planned 1,500-unit expansion across new and existing markets.

Area Director Model Targets 15 Regions

As president and CDO, Rigassio will oversee the nationwide rollout of an area director system, recruiting multi-unit operators from leading fast-casual concepts to lead 15 defined geographic regions, each containing 100 territories. The model is designed to strengthen real estate selection, construction processes, and economic timing.

"Everything in life is about timing," Rigassio said. "I was fortunate to be part of Jersey Mike's and Wingstop during pivotal stages of their growth. After spending two years doing my due diligence on Dog Haus, I feel that same momentum here. The strength of its founders, Michael's leadership, and the unique partnership with Jake Paul make our brand perfectly positioned for our new area director partners to lead Dog Haus' explosive growth."

Both executives rose through the ranks at Jersey Mike's Subs, eventually becoming successful multi-unit franchisees. They now operate more than 100 locations across multiple concepts, including Jersey Mike's and Wingstop.

Operations Focus on Consistency and Culture

Khodaverdian will focus on long-term sustainable growth by streamlining operations, improving efficiencies, and managing costs as the chain scales. With over 20 years in the industry, he will emphasize consistency and team development across locations.

"Dog Haus has the DNA of a national powerhouse — an amazing menu, strong brand identity and an energized following," Khodaverdian said. "What excites me most is the opportunity to scale this brand the right way by prioritizing consistency, operational strength and people-first leadership. We're not just growing but rather elevating Dog Haus to show the country what this brand can truly become."

Aligning Franchisor and Franchisee Interests

CEO Montagano highlighted the structure as unusual in the industry. "This is an unprecedented deal that bridges the gap between franchisor and franchisee, where economic and governance interests are truly aligned for the first time ever in our industry – we will all win together," he said.

"Chris and Garen bring an unmatched combination of operational excellence, franchisee experience and strategic vision to our table," Montagano added. "I've known both for years and watched them build impressive portfolios as franchise operators and business leaders, and know they are the right partners to help take Dog Haus to the next level."

Why It Matters

For franchise operators and real estate professionals, this deal signals Dog Haus's commitment to moving beyond traditional franchisor-franchisee structures. The appointment of proven multi-unit operators to the C-suite, backed by equity stakes, addresses a persistent industry challenge: aligning incentives between brand growth and unit-level profitability. The area director model and geographic subdivision approach will shape how operators evaluate development opportunities in coming months.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors