GEN Restaurant Group appoints Mark Cutrona as SVP of Sales and Operations
GEN Restaurant Group appoints Mark Cutrona as SVP of Sales and Operations to lead its CPG expansion. Cutrona joins from Hormel Foods with over 30 years of industry experience, aiming to scale distribution across national retailers.

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GEN Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: GENK) has appointed Mark Cutrona as Senior Vice President of Sales and Operations, effective August 7, 2026. The appointment strengthens the company's leadership team as it scales its consumer packaged goods (CPG) business nationwide, leveraging Cutrona’s three decades of experience in account management and trade marketing.
Cutrona joins from Hormel Foods, where he most recently served as a National Account Manager. He will oversee GEN’s retail sales organization and CPG operations, including national and regional account management, the broker network, category management, and trade marketing. This move supports the company’s strategic expansion of ready-to-cook marinated meats across grocery and warehouse club retailers.
Executive Background
Cutrona holds prior sales leadership roles at Kimberly-Clark and TreeHouse Foods. Throughout his career, he has led new product launches and brand extensions, focusing on data-driven insights and strategic customer engagement. His track record includes driving revenue growth and expanding market share for major consumer brands.
Strategic Impact
David Kim, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GEN, stated that Cutrona’s experience is critical for converting consumer demand into disciplined execution across retail accounts. "Mark has done that at Kimberly-Clark, TreeHouse and Hormel, and we are excited to have him lead that effort for GEN," Kim said.
Cutrona noted the strong early retailer response to GEN’s authentic Korean BBQ products. He aims to broaden distribution and strengthen shelf velocity to build a national CPG business with long-term staying power.
Company Overview
GEN Restaurant Group operates more than 54 company-owned restaurant locations in the United States. Founded in 2011, the company combines an interactive "grill at your table" dining format with a growing at-home dining segment through its CPG division.
What the Numbers Show
The appointment signals a shift toward operational rigor in GEN’s CPG division. With over 54 existing restaurant locations providing brand equity, the focus is now on scaling distribution channels rather than just product development. The addition of a veteran with specific broker network experience suggests the company is prioritizing shelf placement and trade marketing efficiency over organic brand growth alone.
How will GEN Restaurant Group allocate capital between scaling its CPG distribution network and expanding its existing restaurant footprint in the near term?
What specific market share targets has GEN set for its ready-to-cook marinated meats segment within the first two years of Cutrona's tenure?
How might the integration of Hormel Foods' trade marketing strategies impact GEN's current relationships with regional versus national grocery retailers?


























