---
title: "Starbird Taps Jonathan Zacks as National Expansion Accelerates"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/83d5f10f-1084-45cb-a2c7-53c400cfcf9e
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20260714_starbird_taps_jonathan_zacks_as_national_expansion_accelerates.html
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2026-07-14T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T14:43:32.192Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1561758033-d89a9ad46330?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# Starbird Taps Jonathan Zacks as National Expansion Accelerates

**TL;DR:** Starbird has appointed Jonathan Zacks as a member of its executive leadership team to lead marketing strategy. Zacks brings over 20 years of marketing experience from brands like Chipotle, Sweetgreen, and Jamba.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2026-07-14. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20260714_starbird_taps_jonathan_zacks_as_national_expansion_accelerates.html).*

## Story

Zacks brings more than 20 years of marketing experience developing brand and growth strategies for some of the industry's most recognized restaurant brands, including Chipotle, Sweetgreen, Pinkberry and Jamba.

Most recently, Zacks served as director of brand activation at Chipotle. There, he led market-level growth strategies, go-to-market strategy for new restaurants, and national brand campaigns that reinforced Chipotle's purpose through paid media, social and influencer marketing, digital marketing, partnerships and local activations.

At Starbird, Zacks will join the executive leadership team, reporting to the CEO. He will lead the company's marketing strategy for corporate locations and its franchise system, including brand strategy, culinary, guest acquisition and loyalty, and franchise marketing.

“Jonathan understands how to build brands that resonate with guests while delivering measurable results,” said Greg Levin, CEO of Starbird. “He has a track record of creating culturally relevant marketing campaigns and developing high-performing teams for some of the most recognized brands in the industry. His strategic mindset and franchise perspective make him a strong addition to the leadership team.”

Zacks' appointment is part of the leadership changes at Starbird. Over the past year, the company has added Greg Levin as chief executive officer, Stefanie Lee as chief financial officer and former Jersey Mike's president Hoyt Jones as an advisor to the board of directors, reflecting Starbird's continued emphasis on leadership. Today, Starbird's restaurants and franchise development span California, Colorado, Texas, Washington, Utah, Illinois and more.

“I'm excited to join Starbird,” said Zacks. “The brand has built a foundation based on innovation and quality ingredients, and I look forward to contributing to its ongoing activities.”

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- QSR (sector)
- franchise development (topic)
- marketing strategy (topic)
- Chipotle (company)
- restaurant expansion (topic)
- leadership change (topic)
- Sweetgreen (company)
- Jamba (company)
- Starbird (company)
- Pinkberry (company)
- Greg Levin (person)

---
Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20260714_starbird_taps_jonathan_zacks_as_national_expansion_accelerates.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/83d5f10f-1084-45cb-a2c7-53c400cfcf9e).