Executive Bios
John Bean
Manager
Mr. Bean began working in his family's fine dining restaurant business in 1982. From 1982 to 1997, John, his mother Myrrl Bean, and brother Bernard Bean successfully opened four additional restaurants, before forming a new company, Columbus Deli Inc (CDI). CDI opened the first Sweet Peppers Deli in Columbus, Mississippi in November 1997, and the second unit in Tupelo, Mississippi in February 2000. As President of CDI, John oversees the continued development of the Sweet Peppers concept. In addition, he serves as President of University Management, Inc., which serves as a management company for the nine operating restaurants within the restaurant group. In July 2002 the owners of the restaurant group formed Sweet Peppers Franchise Systems, LLC (SPFS) in order to franchise the Sweet Peppers concept. John serves as the managing member of SPFS and is responsible for the executive supervision of the franchise company.
Robin Fant
Vice President
Robin Fant has owned and operated the Bulldog Deli, in Starkville, MS, since April 1984. The Bulldog Deli has served as the inspiration and prototype model for the development of the Sweet Peppers Deli concept. Robin became Vice President of Columbus Deli Inc (CDI)in 1997, while continuing to own and manage his restaurant, and has been a member of SPFS since its formation in July 2002. Robin and Bernard Bean are jointly responsible for the training, operations, and field support of the franchisees of SPFS.
Bernard Bean
Director of Operations
Bernard began working for his family's restaurant business in 1982, and became a Secretary of Columbus Deli Inc (CDI) in 1997. He continues to supervise the daily management operations of the Sweet Peppers Deli units owned by CDI, and has also been a member of the SPFS franchise management team since July 2002. Bernard and Robin Fant coordinate franchise services for SPFS franchise owners.
Robert Fort
Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Fort began working with University Management, Inc., in 1990, in accounting and financial planning. Robert has been the treasurer and a director of Columbus Deli Inc (CDI) since November 1997. He is a founding member of SPFS, responsible for financial planning for the franchise company and SPFS's franchisees.
Myrrl Bean
Mom
Ms. Bean was the original founder of the Harveys fine dining restaurants in 1982, which are an important part of the family restaurant management group. Myrrl is the mother of both John and Bernard Bean, and brought them into the restaurant development business. Myrrl serves as an officer and director of both University Management, Inc., and Columbus Deli Inc (CDI), and is a founding member of SPFS. Ms. Bean serves as an advisor to the SPFS management team.
Cory Freemont
Director of Training & Development
Cory Freemont obtained his Bachelors of Science degree from Northwest Nazarene College in Nampo, Idaho. He then managed a successful fast food restaurant in the Tupelo area for three years. In 1999, he joined the University Management team as the Assistant Manager of the Sweet Peppers Deli in Tupelo, MS. He worked in this location until January 2004, at which time he was promoted to his current position for Sweet Peppers Franchise Systems, LLC. He is currently responsible for opening franchise locations including new store set up, crew training, manager training and all fieldwork associated with all existing corporate and franchise owned locations currently in operation.
Karen Stanley
Marketing Director
Karen Stanley joined Sweet Peppers Franchise Systems, LLC and University Management, Inc. as their Marketing Director in 2005. Karen obtained her degree from Mississippi University for Women in Business Administration with a Marketing Minor. Karen’s prior work experience included marketing positions in both retail and service industries. She is now responsible for all marketing material development as well as implementing marketing programs within all five restaurant concepts. Karen stays actively involved in the Columbus and Starkville Chambers of Commerce serving as an Ambassador for the Columbus-Lowndes Link. When not working, she and her husband, Steven, reside in Columbus, Mississippi, where their two boys keep them busy.
Gregg Frazer
Corporate Chef
Gregg Frazer joined the Eat With Us team in 2007 as the corporate chef. He moved to the Columbus, Mississippi area from San Diego, California. His background includes working in multiple aspects of the food service industry including fine dining restaurants, luxury hotels, food distribution, menu development, manufacturing, etc. Gregg holds a Bachelors degree in Management from the University of Vermont, a Culinary degree from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York, and an MBA from National University in California. Gregg has worked all over the country and the world including Florida, Texas, Philadelphia, Hawaii, Australia, Northern and Southern California and Colorado.
