Meriam Fills the Seafood Restaurant Franchise’s Vacant COO Position
Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, a full-service seafood restaurant franchise, has promoted Sarah Meriam to chief operating officer (COO). Previously serving as the restaurant franchise’s director of franchise operations, Meriam fills the vacant COO role formerly held by Bill Bartlett, who retired in 2022. She brings more than a decade of leadership experience in the food industry to the position.
Meriam had known Shuckin’ Shack’s leadership team for years before coming on board two years ago and said she always admired the brand’s authenticity. “No one takes themselves too seriously, and everyone works very hard for each other and the brand. In the last two years, our team has continued to stay focused on getting better and helping our franchise partners succeed.” As COO, she looks forward to building systems that will enhance the Shuckin’ Shack brand.
CEO Jonathan Weathington said he is thrilled to see Meriam take the restaurant franchise to new heights as COO. “Sarah’s operational background and desire to see our strategic franchise partners succeed makes this move a no-brainer for us. Sarah, since joining our team two years ago, has made tremendous progress on the operational capacity and prowess of our restaurants at both the corporate and franchise level.”
Valuing Sustainability
Meriam said part of Shuckin’ Shack’s appeal is its dedication to sustainability by reducing plastic waste and supporting policies protecting fragile ecosystems, which reaffirmed her desire to work at the restaurant franchise. She urges other franchisors to be intentional with supply chain management to improve their sustainability practices. She also suggests they make the effort to understand their local markets and focus on ways to support their communities.
Working in and around the food industry her entire life, Meriam said she couldn’t imagine being in any other business and she finds working with franchisees very rewarding. She said Shuckin’ Shack’s emphasis on providing an authentic guest experience will position the brand as a leader in the restaurant industry.
Restaurant Franchising
Meriam, who received her certified franchise executive designation from the International Franchise Association in 2018, got her start in franchising working for Port City Java, an emerging coffee brand. Starting out as a training manager, she quickly moved to a full-time franchise support position. In that role, she discovered that she enjoyed finding creative ways to communicate effectively. “Working with and coaching business owners from all backgrounds and experience levels versus employees that ‘had to listen,’ taught me that sometimes effectiveness is only achieved with empathy and adaptability.”
About Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar
Founded in 2007 and franchising since 2014, Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar has expanded to 18 locations across six states.
