Ilaria steps in to run Hot Stuff Foods

Hot Stuff Foods, Sioux Falls, S.D., said board member Jim Ilaria has become interim CEO following the resignation last month of John Fontana, who resigned to pursue other interests. Hot Stuff franchises and/or licenses such branded food concepts as Hot Stuff Foods, SmashHits Deli and Hot Stuff Food on the Go in more than 1,400 locations worldwide. The company also operates two plants that process frozen pizza, sandwiches and various breakfast entrees. Ilaria is a principal with Hot Stuff backer Allied Capital.
In related news, Hot Stuff promoted John Barber to chief customer officer-Hot Stuff Foods/Lettieri's. Tom Bale also was promoted to senior vice president, franchise development.