The Gray Cat Blog

A comprehensive collection of blogs designed to assist small business owners and multiunit operators.

Elite Growth Partners Podcast: Interim Executive Management

Sep 24, 2025
 

 

Gray Cat has stepped into interim executive leadership roles multiple times in the last decade managing a division and/or company to the P&L level.  
 
These are challenging roles since the learning curve can be as short as days or weeks to right the ship - rarely do I get asked to run a division that is already performing well.  
 
The reason Gray Cat gets the call is to deal with problem situations.
 
Here is a short clip on the Elite Growth Partners podcast with @Ashur Elliot where we discuss this.
 

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John Matthews, President & CEO, Gray Cat Enterprises, Inc.

John Matthews is the Founder and President of Gray Cat Enterprises, Inc. a Raleigh, NC-based management consulting company. Gray Cat specializes in strategic project management and consulting for multi-unit operations; interim executive management; and strategic planning. Mr. Matthews has over 30 years of senior-level executive experience in the retail industry, involving three dynamic multi-unit companies. Mr. Matthews experience includes President of Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches; Vice President of Marketing, Merchandising, Corporate Communications, Facilities and Real Estate for Clark Retail Enterprises/White Hen Pantry; and National Marketing Director at Little Caesar's Pizza! Pizza!