Pura Vida Miami snags execs from Sweetgreen, Shake Shack and Oakberry
The 50-unit fast-casual Pura Vida is positioning for national expansion after a private-equity investment last year.
June 17, 2026
The growing fast-casual Pura Vida Miami named three new leaders to its C-suite on Wednesday.
Among them is Chad Brauze, Sweetgreen’s former head of culinary, who has been named chief culinary officer of Pura Vida. Brauze, whose background also includes culinary stints at Burger King and Chipotle, was with Sweetgreen for nearly three years.
The 50-unit Pura Vida also named Andrew McCaughan, a former development exec from Shake Shack, to a chief development officer role. McCaughan spent 16 years at Shake Shack, growing the fast-casual burger chain from its original New York City location to an international brand.
In addition, Bruno Cardinali, the former global CMO of Oakberry, is joining Pura Vida as CMO. Cardinali’s experience also includes marketing leadership at Popeyes, where he led the brand’s launch of the iconic chicken sandwich that some say prompted the Chicken Sandwich Wars.
The hires follow an investment by private-equity firm TSG Consumer last year. The Miami-based chain operates in Florida, New York, California, Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey, and is positioning for national expansion.
The concept was founded in 2012 by husband-and-wife team Omer and Jennifer Horev.
About the Author
Lisa Jennings
Executive Editor, Restaurant Business
Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts. Her experience includes other industry publications as well as the daily newspaper The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., where she was Food Editor. Her work has been cited in the Los Angeles Times, Business Insider, FoodBeast, The Huffington Post, Time.com and more.
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