FOUNDER
OUR TEAM
Behind the Pizza
Ed Brownell
ED
BROWNELL
Ed Brownell is a 40 year restaurant veteran of a variety of Casual Dining, Fast Casual and QSR concepts. He is experienced in both company-owned and franchise operations. Ed started his career at Pizza Hut and worked his way up the management ladder as an Assistant Manager, General Manger, District Manager and ultimately a Vice President of Operations in Portland Oregon. He was also a franchisee of Sonic Drive-In. Ed built a 12 unit chain of Sonics, which were later sold back to the franchisor. He was also the key operator for Bagel & Bagel, an 8 unit bagel concept in Kansas City, which provided the conceptual foundation for Einstein Bros. Bagels. Ed was involved in expanding the Einstein Brothers chain across the United States, and taking it to a successful public offering. After leaving Einstein, Ed Co-Founded SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza, a Fast Casual pizza chain, with locations in Kansas City, Dallas, Omaha and California. Originally from California, Ed has lived in Portland Oregon, San Francisco and currently resides in Kansas City.
FOUNDERS STORY
Molly
MOLLY
Caty
CATY
Amanda
AMANDA
Joe M.
JOE M.
Joe P.
JOE P.
Sara
SARA
Brian
BRIAN
Jeff
JEFF
Danielle
DANIELLE
Sara
SARA
Caty
CATY
Amanda
AMANDA
Joe M.
JOE M.
Joe P.
JOE P.
Molly
MOLLY
Jeff
JEFF
Danielle
DANIELLE
Brian
BRIAN
SARA
CARHART
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
12 YEARS WITH SPIN!
CATY
AMANDA
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING
11 YEARS WITH SPIN!
All Positions since beginning with SPIN!:
- Assistant Manager
- General Manager
- Area Director
Leadership Style: Servant Leader
Favorite Pizza: Pineapple & Prosciutto
Favorite job in the restaurant: Oven
Favorite Non SPIN! Past time: All things Oak Island
JOE M
AREA DIRECTOR
13 YEARS WITH SPIN!
My SPIN!: They’re all my children
Favorite Menu Item/Ingredient: Turkey Panini with Tomato Basil Soup
About:
- When did you start at SPIN!?
- 2011
- Have you worked in the restaurant industry throughout your career?
- I’ve been in food service/hospitality my entire life.
- Have you held other positions at SPIN!?
- Bartender, Assistant Manager, General Manager, (Burlington Creek, Frisco, Warrensburg NSO), Dallas Area Manager
- What is a part of your job you enjoy the most?
- Working with the Team!
- What are you most excited about for the future of SPIN!?
- Further growth and development of our team members
- Is there anything you enjoy doing when you have free time? (e.g. spend time with family, sports, hobbies?)
- Lawn care, watching the Chiefs, playing with my dog, hanging with my wife.
JOE P
AREA DIRECTOR
10+ YEARS WITH SPIN!
Name: One of the Joes
My SPIN!: Crown Center
Favorite Menu Item: Greek Salad with extra Kalamata Olives
About: Joe P. serves as an Area Director with a focus on facilities and IT, bringing over ten years of dedication and strategic leadership to the position within SPIN! With a rich background that spans nearly two decades in the restaurant industry, Joe’s journey is marked by his contributions with over 20 different new restaurant openings across various states and multiple concepts, reflecting his exceptional capacity for operations and financial performance as well as new store opening leadership. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Management and MIS, Joe has skillfully bridged the gap between ‘corporate’ and ‘operations’, leveraging emerging technology solutions to simplify and streamline processes for frontline managers. His prior experience as an office manager and IT support for a San Francisco law firm further underscores his versatile skill set in addition to his ability to build resilient teams capable of taking on any task.
In his current role, Joe also oversees facility maintenance and repairs, ensuring that our infrastructure supports the company’s dynamic needs. His achievements include pivotal support for new store openings in every state our company has entered, showcasing his commitment to operational excellence and growth. Joe’s approach to problem-solving transcends the mere technicalities of his job; he believes in the importance of not just solving a problem but helping a person understand the “why behind the what” to encourage deeper understanding and encourage personal growths. This philosophy underscores his interactions and decisions, highlighting his understanding that at the heart of every operation are the people it serves and those who drive it. As Joe continues to lead with this ethos, he remains a vital asset to our team, embodying the spirit of service and dedication that propels our company forward.
HILDA
AREA DIRECTOR
MOLLY
AREA DIRECTOR
STEVE
AREA DIRECTOR
BRIAN
ACCOUNTING & HR DIRECTOR
11 YEARS WITH SPIN!
My SPIN!: Main- This was the location of the corporate office when I started with SPIN!
Favorite Menu Item/Ingredient: Sausage & Apple pizza
About Brian: I am one of the few corporate team members who did not work in a SPIN! restaurant or have much restaurant industry experience before joining the office team in 2013 as a part time employee. Most of my professional career was spent in various law enforcement roles around the world. I have also worked as a tax auditor for the State of Texas and as an IRS Revenue Agent. I started with Spin shortly before it expanded from 5 locations to 13 and the corporate office was located in the Main Street restaurant. I work at SPIN! because of the awesome people that I get to interact with every day. I am excited to see what the future brings for SPIN! and to help develop the next generation of the SPIN! team. I enjoy traveling with family and friends whenever I get a chance.
JEFF
DIRECTOR OF IT & OPERATIONS SUPPORT
16 YEARS WITH SPIN!
Started in the restaurant business while in High School and College and got hooked on the hospitality industry. After graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Pyschology, I decided that I wanted to continue my career in restaurants by moving into Operations Management. Before coming to SPIN!, worked for International Dairy Queen as a Field Consultant, Red Lobster as a General Manager and also Lonestar Steakhouse as a General Manager. Joined SPIN! Pizza in 2008 as the General Manager of our second location in Lees Summit. Served as GM there and also at the Overland Park location until assuming the position of Area Director. Served in that position until we had grown to 6 locations, and then joined the Corp Office staff as a Special Projects Manager, which over time became the position of Director of IT Operations Support.
Very excited about being a part of the growth of SPIN! Concepts as we continue to expand our Texas market and also assume management of other restaurants on the GreatLIFE KC golf courses, that our parent company Midwest-Health also owns.
I very much enjoy supporting our Ops teams with our current technology, and also expanding out our technology stack to increase efficiencies at our restaurants. Covid pushed restaurant technology ahead in leaps and bounds and it’s exciting to see what is out there that can continue to further our team’s ability to execute at a high level – allowing them to provide our guests an experience that makes them ask “Why would I go anywhere else?”
During my down time, I enjoy spending time with my wife, daughters and grandchildren.
DANIELLE
PAYROLL/HR/BENEFITS
13 YEARS WITH SPIN!
My SPIN!: Lee’s Summit
Favorite Menu Item/Ingredient: 3 meat pizza on cauliflower crust. Add jalapenos, crimini mushrooms, and caramelized onions.
About Danielle: I started working for SPIN! Pizza shortly after I turned 18 years old as a server/cashier. I was then trained to be an hourly shift leader and really enjoyed the additional responsibilities. About 3 years later, a payroll position opened up in the corporate office, and I was extremely excited to be given the opportunity to expand my knowledge and take a different path within the company. The payroll position quickly broadened to other learning opportunities such as health insurance and 401k benefits, unemployment claims, employment verifications, HR scenarios, etc. As the company grew, so did the ability to learn new things and take on more responsibilities. The best thing about my job is the people I get to work with on a daily basis. My co-workers are an extension to my family and we work well together as a team. It’s really cool to still be working with several people that I worked with in the very beginning of my SPIN! Pizza career. I had always heard growing up that if you find a job you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life and that couldn’t be any more true. Currently going on 13 years working for SPIN! Pizza and there is nowhere else I’d rather be.
I have four kids, so they keep me plenty busy when I am not working. In my free time, you will find me coaching soccer and cheering on my kids from the sidelines, camping several times throughout the year when the weather allows, and spending time with family and friends. Also, Go Chiefs!
CRYSTAL
SPIN! FRANCHISING CORPORATE INVENTORY MANAGER
18 YEARS WITH SPIN!
My SPIN!: The original OP SPIN! that is closed. I started working there as a server in 2006.
Favorite Menu Item/Ingredient: My favorite pizza is a Create Your Own with the olive oil glaze, fresh spinach, crimini mushrooms, pine nuts and goat cheese.
About Crystal: I started working at SPIN! in March of 2006 as a server at the original Overland Park location. I graduated with my first degree the next year and started working in both fields. I quickly realized I was happiest staying with SPIN! and the restaurant industry and accepted a management position. While most companies want you to have experience before allowing you to move up in the company, SPIN! has always been happy to grow with its team. SPIN! gives employees the opportunities they need to learn and develop their skills. While with SPIN!, I have served, cashiered, been a shift lead, assistant manager, donations coordinator, floating manager and ultimately part of the corporate office team. Over the years, SPIN! has essentially become my second family.
ANASTASIA
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
7 YEARS WITH SPIN!
My SPIN!: Main Street
Favorite Menu Item/Ingredient: Spinach & Garlic pizza, extra cheese, + pepperoni
About Anastasia: I started as a server at Spin in 2017 and have been promoted from within. I love Spin food and culture and I have enjoyed working here more than anywhere else.
I have two dogs and we love to go on hikes and adventures. I am an avid reader and am very passionate about film. I love football and I am a big fan of the Chiefs!
ALEXIS
GUEST RELATIONS/ADMIN
6 YEARS WITH SPIN!
My SPIN!: Crown Center
Favorite Menu Item/Ingredient: Chicken & Goat Cheese Pizza with cherry peppers, no mushrooms!
About Alexis: I started with SPIN! as a cashier in Crown Center in 2018. I had worked in retail before, but not in a restaurant, so it was a huge adjustment from what I knew. I quickly wanted to learn as much as I could, and cross-trained to learn all positions, eventually becoming an assistant manager. I have worked at all but 2 of our KC locations, including Lawrence and Topeka, making many friends along the way. While working in Crown Center, I met my partner and we now have a wonderful family. Working for this company taught me how to work hard and take pride in myself and my team. I am excited to watch the company continue to grow with our amazing leadership team!
JAMISON
IT & ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
My SPIN!: Olathe 🙂
Favorite Menu Item/Ingredient: The Cauliflower Crust
About Jamison: I started out at SPIN! as a server at the Olathe location. Throughout my career at SPIN!, I have worked all hourly positions in the restaurant and went on what I call the “SPIN! Tour” as a POS trainer for all locations. I then started as an intern in the corporate office and was brought on full time after that. So far my time at SPIN! has been filled with great memories and awesome experiences. The best part about working at SPIN! has been all of the awesome people I get to meet. Looking back, I never thought SPIN! could turn into a career for me, but I am glad it did and am excited to see what the future looks like.
Crystal
CRYSTAL
Anastasia
ANASTASIA
Alexis
ALEXIS
Jamison
JAMISON
Crystal
CRYSTAL
Anastasia
ANASTASIA
Alexis
ALEXIS
