Fresh Kitchen adds development and operations execs to accelerate growth
Chief Development Officer Matt Livingston previously led real estate and market development at First Watch.
July 17, 2026
Florida-based, fast-casual bowl concept Fresh Kitchen has hired two executives to help facilitate its ambitious expansion goals.
Bill Knopf has been named senior vice president, head of operations, Matt Livingston has been named chief development officer as the 21-unit brand targets over 100 locations.
Knopf joins Fresh Kitchen following senior operations roles at Honeygrow and Noodles & Company. Livingston joins after more than a decade leading real estate, asset management, and market development at First Watch Restaurants.
“Bill and Matt have helped grow some of the most respected brands in the restaurant industry, but what matters most is that they embody the FK culture,” CEO Tyler Azzarelli said in a statement. “They understand that growth starts with great people and remarkable restaurant execution. Bill will raise the bar on operations and leadership, while Matt will build the development pipeline for what comes next.”
Knopf will oversee all aspects of restaurant operations, including food execution, systems and routines, and experience. In addition to his experience as vice president of operations at Honeygrow and vice president of operations services at Noodles, he also worked at Chipotle and Potbelly.
“I was drawn to Fresh Kitchen’s values, but the food sealed it for me,” Knopf said in a statement. “I knew right away this was a special brand, a great team and an opportunity I wanted to be part of.”
Livingston brings more than a decade of real estate leadership experience from First Watch Restaurants, where he most recently served as vice president of real estate and asset management. During his time there, the chain grew from 250 locations to over 650. In his new role, Livingston will lead Fresh Kitchen’s real estate strategy, site selection and lease negotiations, building the restaurant pipeline that will support the brand’s path to 100 locations and beyond.
"I have long admired Fresh Kitchen and Cali’s incredible brand energy, commitment to clean eating, and strong community presence," Livingston said in a statement. "I am thrilled to join this talented team and lead our development strategy. I look forward to accelerating our expansion into new communities, managing our valuable real estate assets, and ensuring we provide an exceptional experience for both our team members and our guests."
Fresh Kitchen serves bowls with grilled meats and roasted veggies. The menu is entirely gluten-free and features hormone- and antibiotic-free proteins, as well as food prepared without seed oils.
As Fresh Kitchen enters its 12th year, the brand’s next phase of growth is centered on expanding across Florida. It is part of Ciccio Restaurant Group, founded more than 25 years ago in New York City by James Lanza. Today, CRG owns and operates eight concepts under the Water + Flour, Cali, Fresh Kitchen, Green Lemon, Jay & Luigi, Taco Dirty, The Meeting House and CAMP brand names. Its portfolio spans 31 locations and includes full-service and quick-service restaurant concepts, as well as a boutique fitness studio.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
Follow her on TikTok: @aliciakelso
About the Author
Alicia Kelso
Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News
Alicia Kelso is the executive editor of Nation's Restaurant News. She began covering the restaurant industry in 2010 for QSRweb.com, FastCasual.com, and PizzaMarketplace.com. When her son was born, she left the industry to pursue a role in higher education, but swiftly returned after realizing how much she missed the space. In filling that void, Alicia added a contributor role at Restaurant Dive and a senior contributor role at Forbes.
Her work has appeared in publications around the world, including Forbes Asia, NPR, Bloomberg, The Seattle Times, Crain's Chicago, Good Morning America, and Franchise Asia Magazine.
Alicia holds a degree in journalism from Bowling Green State University, where she competed on the women's swim team. In addition to cheering for the BGSU Falcons, Alicia is a rabid Michigan fan and will talk about college football with anyone willing to engage. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her wife and son.
Follow her on TikTok @aliciakelso
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