Food franchise operator Retail Food Group (RFG) is gearing up for strong growth across its Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) brands by strengthening the management teams heading up the division.

The company has added a general manager position to the management structure of each of its QSR brands to facilitate the expansion of its Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar and Pizza Capers gourmet pizza brands planned for the next two to five years.

RFG director of franchise Gary Alford said RFG has identified the opportunity to increase outlet numbers across both pizza brands and plans to grow its QSR offering to 400 outlets across Australia by the end of 2015.

“We know that there is a growing market for premium, healthy gourmet pizzas with a trend forming for consumers asking themselves where the food from their QSRs is being sourced and how it is being prepared,” he said.

“RFG is the leader in the gourmet pizza market and we feel that we are in a prime position to take advantage of this trend by increasing the number of Pizza Capers and Crust outlets and expanding our digital channels.”

Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar will continue to be led by current managing director Michael Rose while Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar marketing manager Nicholas Brill has been promoted into the newly created general manager position.

New recruit Peter Jones has been appointed as Pizza Capers managing director and Chris Churchmichael will remain in the Pizza Capers management team as general manager.

Alford said that the combination of new appointments will increase the skills and expertise available to the QSR Division.

“We are confident that the new appointments will consolidate an already strong leadership team for our QSR Division that will be able to play a pivotal role in the strategic growth of the Crust and Pizza Capers brands,” he said.