Former Wawa EVP/CMO, Outback Steakhouse VP–Finance, and McDonald’s Senior Financial Director Joins Pickleman’s Executive Team
COLUMBIA, Mo., Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pickleman’s Gourmet Café today announced that Jim Morey has joined the company’s executive advisory board, bringing deep multi-unit operating, finance, and brand experience from Wawa, Inc., Outback Steakhouse (Bloomin’ Brands), and McDonald’s to support the brand’s next phase of disciplined expansion.
Morey spent more than a decade at Wawa, Inc. in senior roles including Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing/Brand Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer—overseeing brand, marketing, IT, store operations, real estate, supply chain, and enterprise strategy. Earlier, he served as VP–Finance at Outback Steakhouse and Senior Financial Director at McDonald’s. He holds an MBA (Marketing & Strategy) from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a B.S. in Accounting from Illinois State University.
“It’s about bringing out the best in everyone. As I look at this brand strategically, I can see the path forward. I think this brand can catch fire; it’s got everything it needs,” Morey said.
Morey emphasized what he views as the non-negotiable: unit-level economics. “If the individual store works and provides strong returns for the operator, everything else flows from that. That’s what Doug and the Pickleman’s team are building here. The products have integrity—better-for-you quality—and when executed according to plan, the unit economics work. That combination is where the magic happens. It’s time to grow—10, 20, 30+ stores a year over the next few years—and earn our share of the market.”
For prospective franchisees, Morey underscored Pickleman’s operating blueprint: “You’re owning your business without reinventing the wheel. Doug has a nuts-and-bolts playbook. If you’re attentive, hands-on, and build the right culture and leadership, existing franchisees have proven success.”
Pickleman’s Founder & CEO Doug Stritzel welcomed the appointment:
“Jim’s done the job at scale—finance, ops, and brand—and he’s laser-focused on store-level returns. His proven experience turning organizations into legacy brands is truly some of the best in the world.This is exactly the kind of operator-first mindset we want guiding our next stage. We’re fired up to have him on the team.”
Founded in 2005 in Columbia, Missouri, Pickleman’s has grown to 30+ locations across Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Indiana, Nebraska, and Texas, built on a commitment to fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients and consistent unit economics. (Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe)
About Jim Morey
- Wawa, Inc.: EVP & Chief Marketing/Brand Officer; previously COO and CFO. Responsibilities spanned marketing/IT, operations, real estate, supply chain, and enterprise strategy.
- Outback Steakhouse (Bloomin’ Brands): VP–Finance
- McDonald’s Corporation: Senior Financial Director
- Education: MBA, Northwestern University—Kellogg (Marketing & Strategy); B.S., Accounting, Illinois State University.
About Pickleman’s Gourmet Café
Pickleman’s is a fast-casual concept known for fresh, better-for-you sandwiches, soups, salads, and pizzas. Established in 2005 and headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, the brand continues to expand across the Midwest and South. (Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe)
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Sasha Clark
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SOURCE Picklemans
