Khodaverdian and Longtime Friend Chris Rigassio Invest in 50 Units of the Fast-Casual Franchise
Dog Haus, a leading fast-casual restaurant concept, has appointed Garen Khodaverdian as chief operating officer. Khodaverdian’s multi-decade restaurant career began when he worked as a part-time employee at Jersey Mike’s. He learned the ins and outs of the business and went on to become a successful multi-unit owner of Jersey Mike’s and Wingstop franchises. He is now responsible for streamlining Dog Haus’ operations, improving efficiencies and managing costs.
“What attracted me to Dog Haus was the combination of a strong brand identity, a unique menu and a tremendous growth opportunity. The company has built a loyal following by doing things differently and refusing to be just another restaurant concept,” Khodaverdian said. “What really stood out to me was the opportunity to help shape a brand that is truly built by franchisees for franchisees. There is a genuine understanding of what operators need to be successful because many of the people helping lead the brand have lived the franchisee experience themselves.”
He credited his time with Jersey Mike’s and Wingstop for valuable lessons about leadership, scalability, franchisee support and protecting a brand’s culture. “Dog Haus can continue to lead by staying focused on operational excellence, delivering an exceptional guest experience, supporting franchisees with practical tools and training, and continuing to innovate while protecting what makes the brand unique.”
Investing in Dog Haus’ Future
Khodaverdian’s addition to the leadership team is tied to a 50-unit deal that he and his longtime friend, Chris Rigassio, signed as part of Dog Haus’s growth plan. Rigassio is now the brand’s president and chief development officer.
“Franchisors succeed when franchisees succeed, and every initiative, program and decision should be viewed through that lens,” Khodaverdian said. “That’s also one of the reasons Chris and I have committed to opening 50 Dog Haus locations ourselves. We believe in the future of this brand, and we’re willing to invest alongside our franchisees because we have confidence in what we’re building together.”
CEO Michael Montagano said Khodaverdian and Rigassio “bring an unmatched combination of operational excellence, franchisee experience and strategic vision to our table. I’ve known both for years and watched them build impressive portfolios as franchise operators and business leaders, and know they are the right partners to help take Dog Haus to the next level.”
About Dog Haus
Hagop Giragossian, Quasim Riaz and André Vener established Dog Haus in Pasadena, Calif., in 2010. The fast-casual franchise’s menu includes all-beef hot dogs, handcrafted sausages, plant-based burgers and chicken creations. Its biggest partnership came in 2024 with YouTuber and professional boxer Jake Paul coming on as a franchisee and board member. Since its founding, Dog Haus has expanded to more than 50 locations nationwide.
