Jim Caruso

Makes the world a more amazing place for partners, clients, and customers.

Every day.

Or die trying.

Jim is the CEO and principal owner of J. F. Caruso, Inc. and of GARP, Inc. J. F. Caruso, Inc. is a professional services firm specializing in the start-up, development or turnaround of businesses in the retail and restaurant industries. J. F. Caruso, Inc. recently worked out solutions for more than $12,000,000 worth of distressed restaurant properties. GARP, Inc. specializes in the financing, operations, capital restructuring, franchising, and acquisition of restaurant concepts. GARP's current portfolio includes restaurants in Colorado, Tennessee and North Carolina.

Prior to his current roles, Jim was founder and CEO of NOVUS Technologies, Inc. NOVUS was affiliated with a UK-based ISO 9000 manufacturer and supplied specialized security equipment to the military, nuclear facilities, and businesses.

Prior to NOVUS, Jim served as President and was a co-owner of the Wynkoop Brewing Company. The Wynkoop Brewing Company raised millions in equity and expanded through the acquisition and renovation of historic buildings in core urban areas in cities across the United States. During his tenure at the Wynkoop Brewing Company, sales increased 300% with commensurate increases in profitability. Jim was also directly involved in the turnaround of Broadway Brewing, LLC, then a 22,000 barrel brewery. By improving operating efficiency and redirecting Broadway Brewing's nationwide sales and marketing efforts, Jim was able to assit in turning the brewery's deeply negative cash flow positive in two years. The Wynkoop Brewing Company also owned and operated the largest brewpub in North America, which was under Jim's direct purview.

Before serving the Wynkoop Brewing Company, Jim was President of the 230-unit Village Inn restaurant chain (annual sales of $250 million) and later served as President of the 189-unit Bakers Square restaurant chain (annual sales of $260 million), both wholly owned subsidiaries of VICORP, then a publicly traded company. During his tenure at VICORP, Jim successfully implemented repositioning strategies for both concepts, resulting in dramatic improvements in sales and profits for both company-operated and franchise operations.

Jim began his career at Denny's Inc., becoming one of the youngest District Managers in the company before eventually assuming responsibility for 80 restaurants ($90 million in sales) in 17 markets in the Midwest. At that time, Denny's was an industry leader in management and leadership training and development, and that training and development has benefited Jim to this day.

Jim serves as a director for several profit and non-profit organizations and is involved in numerous community and charitable activities.

Jim was graduated from the University of Missouri with BA and MA degrees in Economics, summa cum laude, and is fluent in Spanish.