PLANO, Texas, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — European Wax Center, Inc. (NASDAQ: EWCZ), the leading franchisor and operator of out-of-home waxing services in the United States, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Chris Morris as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of the Board, effective January 8, 2025. Mr. Morris succeeds David Berg, who will step down as CEO. Mr. Berg will remain a member of the Board and work closely with Mr. Morris in this role.
Mr. Morris brings more than 25 years of experience operating, developing and reinvigorating consumer brands, including franchise businesses. Most recently, he was CEO of Dave & Buster’s (NASDAQ: PLAY), an owner and operator of entertainment and dining venues, where he led the opening of 30 new locations and established an international expansion pipeline during his tenure. He previously served as CEO of Main Event, overseeing a period of significant revenue, profitability and unit growth, in addition to its successful 2022 merger with Dave & Buster’s. Prior to Main Event, Mr. Morris served as president of California Pizza Kitchen, where he played a key role in the revitalization of the 32-year-old brand, returning it to positive comparable store sales.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chris Morris as the next CEO of European Wax Center,” said Andrew Crawford, Director and Chair of the Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee. “He is a consumer industry expert with deep experience in unit development, operational execution and brand marketing, and he brings a clear understanding of the needs of local operators. The Board is confident Chris is the right leader to guide European Wax Center through its next chapter.”
“On behalf of the Board, I also want to sincerely thank David Berg for stepping back into this role to lead the Company during a critical transitional period. David acted decisively to position European Wax Center for long-term success, strategically realigning the organization and reallocating resources to its core business,” Crawford added. “The Board looks forward to working closely with both David and Chris.”
“It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of European Wax Center for a second time, and I am excited to partner with Chris as a member of the Board,” said Mr. Berg. “I’ve spent the last four months taking proactive measures to reorient European Wax Center for sustainable long-term growth, and I believe we’ve established a strong foundation for Chris to build upon in the months and years ahead. The Board and I agree that his relevant experience, skill set and strong track record will enable him to unlock our full potential.”
“I am honored and excited to lead European Wax Center during a pivotal time for the Company,” said Mr. Morris. “This is an iconic brand with a one-of-a-kind business model that is well-positioned to capitalize on the significant white space opportunities ahead. I look forward to working with the Board and the entire European Wax Center team to execute our strategy and drive value for our shareholders, franchisees and associates.”
Fiscal 2024 Outlook
The Company is reaffirming its fiscal 2024 outlook previously provided on November 14, 2024.
About Chris Morris
Mr. Morris most recently served as CEO and Board member of Dave & Buster’s since 2022. Prior to its merger with Dave & Buster’s, he was CEO of Main Event from 2018 to 2022. Mr. Morris also previously served as president of California Pizza Kitchen from 2014 to 2018, executive vice president and chief financial officer of On the Border from 2010 to 2014, and chief financial officer of CEC Entertainment, the parent company of Chuck E. Cheese’s, from 2004 to 2010. He holds an MBA from the University of Kansas and a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University.
About European Wax Center, Inc.
European Wax Center, Inc. (NASDAQ: EWCZ) is the leading franchisor and operator of out-of-home waxing services in the United States. European Wax Center locations perform more than 23 million services per year, providing guests with an unparalleled, professional personal care experience administered by highly trained wax specialists within the privacy of clean, individual waxing suites. The Company continues to revolutionize the waxing industry with its innovative Comfort Wax® formulated with the highest quality ingredients to make waxing a more efficient and relatively painless experience, along with its collection of proprietary products to help enhance and extend waxing results. By leading with its values – We Care About Each Other, We Do the Right Thing, We Delight Our Guests, and We Have Fun While Being Awesome – the Company is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place to Work®. European Wax Center, Inc. was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas. Its network, which now includes more than 1,000 centers in 45 states, generated sales of $955 million in fiscal 2023. For more information, including how to receive your first wax free, please visit: https://waxcenter.com.
