Leadership Team

Mr. Kim joined GEN shortly after the opening of our first restaurant in September 2011 and, since our formation in October 2021, he has served as our Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director. Before founding GEN, Mr. Kim served as Chief Executive Officer of La Salsa, Inc. and of Baja Fresh Enterprises, President of Caliber Capital Group, an equity investment firm focused on distressed companies, as managing member of CinnaWorks, LLC and of Sweet Candy, LLC, and managed Golden Den Corp. and RD Restaurant Group, Inc., which owned Denny’s, Carl’s Jr., Golden Corral and Pick-Up Stix franchises. Mr. Kim has also established the Kim Family Foundation, through which he supports various charitable causes related to scholastic achievement and leadership.

Mr. Chang founded GEN by opening our first restaurant in September 2011 in Tustin, California and, since our formation in October 2021, he has served as our Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director. Prior to founding GEN, Mr. Chang has been the owner, operator and manager of multiple restaurant concepts, including the Shabuya, Sumo, Octopus, H2O Sushi and California Gogi brands. Mr. Chang received his Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Mr. Croal has served as our Chief Financial Officer since July 2021. Prior to joining us, Mr. Croal served as Chief Financial Officer of Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, a non-profit organization focused on pancreatic cancer research. Mr. Croal also served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Silverado Senior Living Holdings, Inc., as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sage Publications, Inc., as Chief Financial Officer of PPONet, Inc., and as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Insight Health Services Corporation. Mr. Croal was previously a California Certified Public Accountant with Arthur Anderson & Co. and received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Loyola Marymount University.