Tommaso Brusò (pictured) will begin leading Eataly’s nine stores across the region in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Silicon Valley, and Toronto effective October 2. Eataly’s first store in North America was opened in 2010 in Flatiron. Under this newly created position, Brusò will help manage Eataly’s efforts to open an additional five stores in North America over the next two years. The company’s growth strategy is to open a total of 20 stores in the North American market over the next five years.
“To continue with the Group’s growth in North America we are welcoming an Italian manager with great experience in the USA like Tommaso Brusò,” said Eataly CEO Andrea Cipolloni in a statement. “Given our significant growth ambitions in North America, the CEO North America position is a newly created role. Tommaso arrives at an important time for the Group and will be instrumental to the development and growth of a market of primary importance for Eataly. His role involves close collaboration with the new senior management who have joined the company in recent months.”
Tommaso Brusò brings to Eataly years of experience in the fashion industry, specifically significant senior leadership experience with retail brands and a strong track record of growth for these brands across North America. Brusò joins from the Colourful Standard (part of RTG Group) where he was Group CEO and previously the global COO for Benetton Group. He served in leadership roles at various fashion companies as well.
Brusò believes his love for New York City and fashion are going to make a good fit for this newly created position. In a statement, he said, “Food together with fashion, are globally recognized as Italian excellence and I believe that my significant experience in the fashion industry will make a strong contribution to taking the Eataly brand to the next level. I look forward to working with our team and stakeholders to expand the Group, always supported by the best-in-class operations for our community.”
Founded in 2003 by Oscar Farinetti, today Eataly operates 47 stores in 16 countries across four continents including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The company has an annual revenue of approximately €700 million. It is an Italian food retail company where each section promotes Made in Italy through high-end Italian food production, products, dining, and educational activities.