Chris Tarrant

Chief Growth Officer

Chris has spent more than three decades shaping growth strategies for iconic, multi-unit brands. As Chief Growth Officer, Chris leads VASA’s Real Estate and Development teams, partnering closely across the organization to support continued expansion and advance the company’s long-term growth strategy. His deep expertise in site selection, market planning, construction oversight, and scalable development is critical to ensuring VASA grows consistently and efficiently across markets.

Previously, Chris served as Chief Development Officer at Sweetgreen, where he led the company’s real estate, design, and development initiatives, helping scale the brand nationally while advancing sustainable design and operational efficiency aligned with its mission and values. Earlier in his career, Chris held senior leadership roles at McDonald’s, Krispy Kreme, Panera Bread, and Starbucks, helping lead large-scale national expansion efforts and contribute to long-term market leadership. Known for balancing ambitious growth with operational rigor, Chris is also passionate about mentoring future leaders and fostering a culture rooted in collaboration, innovation, and excellence.