ST. LOUIS (Sept. 8, 2016) — Lion’s Choice, the St. Louis-based quick-service restaurant chain, has named Rebecca Fine the company’s new chief operating officer, effective immediately. Fine has more than 30 years of experience in the specialty restaurant, beverage and retail industries and has been named one of the Top Women in Quick Service in 2011 by QSR Magazine.

As COO of Lion’s Choice, Fine is responsible for leading the daily operations at all corporate and franchise store locations and the future expansion of the 25-unit restaurant chain.

“The appointment of Becky Fine as COO of Lion’s Choice is an exciting chapter in our company’s 49-year history,” said Joe Buttice, president and CEO of Lion’s Choice. “Becky brings deep restaurant experience and a proven track record of success to the position. Her knowledge and understanding of the quick service restaurant industry coupled with her human resources expertise make her the ideal candidate to lead our operations and shape our future growth.”

Before joining Lion’s Choice, Fine was the COO at Honolulu Coffee, a specialty coffee company based in Honolulu, Hawaii. During her time as COO she successfully oversaw the opening of several new locations in Hawaii and internationally. She also developed an infrastructure to build sustainable growth for the company.

Fine also spent eight years at Panera Bread Company where she was a senior vice president and chief people officer during a time of expansive growth for the company. Fine began her career in the restaurant industry over 30 years ago as an hourly employee at a Wendy’s franchise in St. Louis.

About Lion’s Choice:

Founded in Saint Louis in 1967, Lion’s Choice started with a vision to serve the best roast beef sandwich in the Midwest in a clean, quick and courteous manner. Lion’s Choice is famous for serving lean, butcher-shop-quality, top-round roast beef, slow-roasted daily on-site, shaved thin to order and served with a dash of secret seasoning on a toasted and steamed bun. Its long-standing devotion to quality, taste and nutrition, has earned Lion’s Choice a loyal customer base across its 18 company-owned and seven franchised restaurants throughout the metro Saint Louis area. For more information, visit www.lionschoice.com or www.facebook.com/LionsChoice