GrowthFactor, the AI-powered operating system for commercial real estate, today announced the appointment of Rick Vanzura as President. Vanzura brings more than 25 years of C-level leadership across retail, foodservice, and technology — including roles as CEO of Wahlburgers, CEO of Freight Farms, and Executive Vice President & Co-COO of Panera Bread — to help accelerate the company’s growth and expand its market presence. The appointment follows GrowthFactor’s $5.2 million seed round and rapid early traction, crossing $1M in recurring revenue their first year. As President, Vanzura will lead go-to-market strategy, customer expansion, and operational scaling as GrowthFactor deepens its position as the essential platform for retail site selection, reporting into Co-founder and CEO Clyde Christian Anderson. “Rick has spent his career at the intersection of retail strategy, real estate, and technology — which is exactly where GrowthFactor operates,” said Clyde Christian Anderson, Co-founder and CEO of GrowthFactor. “He’s built brands from a single location into national powerhouses, and he’s done it by combining operational rigor with strategic vision. Having him lead our growth efforts is a significant milestone for the company.” Vanzura’s career spans some of the most recognizable names in American retail and foodservice. As CEO of Wahlburgers, he built the celebrity-backed concept from a single restaurant into a $100 million brand and one of America’s fastest-growing restaurant chains over seven years. At Panera Bread, he served as Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, overseeing marketing, real estate, and business development during a period of significant national…
