Jungle Concepts LLC (DBA Pita Jungle et al.), a 23 units restaurant chain founded in 1994, has retained Tom Azzarelli\u2019 s services as our B2B CFO since 2016. During these four years, Tom\u2019s contributions to our business has been nothing short of miraculous, as we look forward for more wins together.<\/p>\n
For starter, Tom helped us re-invent our finance and accounting departments, not only from logistical and operational perspectives but also from the very practical and philosophical \u00a0perspective of keeping a strong balance sheet: within a year after Tom\u2019s tenure at the helm of our financial team, our company shifted from a virtually unacceptable banking situation to a highly sought after corporation, parading a minimally leveraged debt position on the top of solid and shored up financial statements. By laying out a very executable plan that we have adhered too, along with excellent bank relations, Tom sculpted us into a growing company with much less debt, that is desirable both to banks, investors, or franchisees.<\/p>\n
Tom\u2019s excellence does not stop at the edge of where finances fade, as he played for us a de-facto<\/em> role of trusted advisor and \u201cthink tank\u201d, in areas ranging from legal to digital marketing, IT to HR. As Tom organizes and attends all our regular corporate meetings, he was an elemental part in helping us develop a multi-year\u2019s strategic plan that ties with various eventualities and budget outcomes. It was during the development of our strategic plan and the ensuing tactics to achieve those goals that Tom\u2019s help in disciplines outside the realm of finance \u00a0became so invaluable: through his vast exposure to a multitude of businesses, his access to advice within the B2B network, along with \u00a0his extensive experience and knowledge base, he guided us into making decisions that have redefined and enhanced our success. In addition, we have tremendously\u00a0 benefited from Tom\u2019s exceptional contacts and vetting processes, be it in choosing the best law firms for a specific case, the best accounting firms to trust with our taxes, payment processors, IT outsourcing, insurance, or wealth building.<\/p>\n Of the outmost importance to the two other Pita Jungle founders along to myself, is having that anchor of reason and integrity\u00a0 to shore the three of us -founders- and keep us aligned on a single front, as we face the uncertainties of an ever changing business environment. Tom has been that reuniting voice of smarts and reason. Through his work with us and for us, he has displayed a strong front of integrity, persistence honesty, loyalty and trust, all the hallmarks of great leadership. I am proud to say I have learned from him, tremendously. \u00a0I proudly recommend Tom to any business owner needing someone like Tom to guide them.<\/p>\n He\u2019s as an exceptional gentleman and a true friend.<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"class_list":["post-1848","testimonial","type-testimonial","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n