Executive Bios
John Bean
President/CEO
Mr. Bean began working in his family's fine dining restaurant business in 1982. From 1982 to 1997, John, his mother Myrrl Bean, and brother Bernard Bean successfully opened four additional restaurants, before forming a new company, Columbus Deli Inc (CDI). CDI opened the first Sweet Peppers Deli in Columbus, Mississippi in November 1997, and the second unit in Tupelo, Mississippi in February 2000. As President of CDI, John oversees the continued development of the Sweet Peppers concept. In addition, he serves as President of University Management, Inc., which serves as a management company for the nine operating restaurants within the restaurant group. In July 2002 the owners of the restaurant group formed Sweet Peppers Franchise Systems, LLC (SPFS) in order to franchise the Sweet Peppers concept. John serves as the managing member of SPFS and is responsible for the executive supervision of the franchise company.
Robin Fant
Vice President
Robin Fant has owned and operated the Bulldog Deli, in Starkville, MS, since April 1984. The Bulldog Deli has served as the inspiration and prototype model for the development of the Sweet Peppers Deli concept. Robin became Vice President of Columbus Deli Inc (CDI)in 1997, while continuing to own and manage his restaurant, and has been a member of SPFS since its formation in July 2002. Robin and Bernard Bean are jointly responsible for the training, operations, and field support of the franchisees of SPFS.
Bernard Bean
Chief Operations Officer
Bernard began working for his family's restaurant business in 1982, and became a Secretary of Columbus Deli Inc (CDI) in 1997. He continues to supervise the daily management operations of the Sweet Peppers Deli units owned by CDI, and has also been a member of the SPFS franchise management team since July 2002. Bernard and Robin Fant coordinate franchise services for SPFS franchise owners.
Robert Fort
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Fort began working with University Management, Inc., in 1990, in accounting and financial planning. Robert has been the treasurer and a director of Columbus Deli Inc (CDI) since November 1997. He is a founding member of SPFS, responsible for financial planning for the franchise company and SPFS's franchisees.
Myrrl Bean
Mom
Ms. Bean was the original founder of the Harveys fine dining restaurants in 1982, which are an important part of the family restaurant management group. Myrrl is the mother of both John and Bernard Bean, and brought them into the restaurant development business. Myrrl serves as an officer and director of both University Management, Inc., and Columbus Deli Inc (CDI), and is a founding member of SPFS. Ms. Bean serves as an advisor to the SPFS management team.
Cory Freemont
Director of Training & Development
Cory Freemont obtained his Bachelors of Science degree from Northwest Nazarene College in Nampo, Idaho. He then managed a successful fast food restaurant in the Tupelo area for three years. In 1999, he joined the University Management team as the Assistant Manager of the Sweet Peppers Deli in Tupelo, MS. He worked in this location until January 2004, at which time he was promoted to his current position for Sweet Peppers Franchise Systems, LLC. He is currently responsible for opening franchise locations including new store set up, crew training, manager training and all fieldwork associated with all existing corporate and franchise owned locations currently in operation.
Arma Salazar
Director of Marketing
Arma delaCruz Salazar joined the Eat With Us Group as Marketing Director in January 2009 after serving as Vice President of Tourism and Retirement Development for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership in Starkville, Mississippi for almost eight years. Although born in the Philippines, Salazar was raised properly in the South. Salazar is a graduate of Mississippi State University and Mississippi University for Women. In 2005, she completed her Southeast Tourism Society Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) Certification at North Georgia College and State University. Salazar was awarded professionally and personally in 2007. Under her direction, the Starkville CVB was awarded the 2007 Governor’s Conference on Tourism CVB of the Year award and Salazar was voted in the Starkville Daily News Community Poll as the 2007 Woman of the Year as well as one of the 2007 Top 40 Under 40. Salazar is a board member of the Mississippi Tourism Association and is also involved locally with Starkville Young Professionals, United Way and the Lions Club. Salazar’s two favorite Southern traditions are tailgating for the Mississippi State University bulldogs and drinking sweet tea. Thus, she started the very first Sweet Tea Competition in Starkville and has conducted several other competitions all over the southeast.
Gregg Frazer
Corporate Chef
Gregg Frazer joined the Eat With Us team in 2007 as the corporate chef. He moved to the Columbus, Mississippi area from San Diego, California. His background includes working in multiple aspects of the food service industry including fine dining restaurants, luxury hotels, food distribution, menu development, manufacturing, etc. Gregg holds a Bachelors degree in Management from the University of Vermont, a Culinary degree from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York, and an MBA from National University in California. Gregg has worked all over the country and the world including Florida, Texas, Philadelphia, Hawaii, Australia, Northern and Southern California and Colorado.
