For VCs and growth equity firms, the right leadership can be the difference between a portfolio company that scales and one that stalls. Restaurant365, a leading back-office software provider for the restaurant industry, needed the right product and engineering leader to take their business to the next level.
The company—backed by ICONIQ Growth, KKR, Bessemer Venture Partners, and L Catterton—needed someone who could unify teams, align on a roadmap, and drive sustainable growth. To find a high-impact leader, they needed a search firm that understands the market and also moves fast without compromising quality. That’s where NU came in.
In just 42 days, NU placed Ryan Polk as Restaurant365’s Chief Product & Technology Officer.
The Challenge Was Clear
Restaurant365 was on a growth trajectory, integrating with industry giants like Toast, ShopifyPOS, and Sysco while expanding its impact. However, their product and engineering teams needed alignment under a single leader—someone with the technical and strategic chops to scale a business. They needed a leader who had scaled before and could do it again.
Your NU Edge
For private capital-backed companies, every search is high-stakes. Our approach is simple: we bring in the right people to lead the search, leverage the most modern tech and AI, and collaborate closely across the broader NU team.
- Lea Hagglund, Associate Partner at NU, specializes in placing senior Product, Technology, and Engineering leaders. With nearly a decade in search and experience co-leading a Product and Technology practice, Lea’s expertise was critical in shaping the search strategy and identifying the right talent.
- Greg Brown, Associate Partner at NU, brings deep experience advising founders and CEOs at ICONIQ Growth, where he oversaw leadership advisory for portfolio companies like Snowflake, Datadog, and Airbnb. His expertise in talent strategy and leadership for growth-stage companies, combined with NU’s executive search process, positioned us to deliver the right leader for Restaurant365.
The combination of deep experience with growth companies, functional expertise, and a technology-driven approach made all the difference. Throughout the search, we also collaborated closely with Restaurant365 CEO and Co-Founder Tony Smith, Eric Soni from ICONIQ Growth, and Ryan Logie from Bessemer Venture Partners, ensuring alignment with key investors and stakeholders.
The Right Leader for Restaurant365
Leaders with the expertise to drive growth and execute at scale aren’t often actively seeking new opportunities. At NU, we specialize in identifying and engaging these high-impact executives, compelling them to consider opportunities beyond their current, successful roles.
For Restaurant365, that leader was Ryan Polk—a proven product and technology executive with a track record of delivering results.
- Led product and engineering at Carbon Black through its IPO.
- Drove product strategy at Rally Software, playing a key role in its acquisition by CA Technologies.
- Advised high-growth software companies as an Operating Partner at Insight Partners.
- Transformed 50+ software organizations, building high-performing teams with Agile and Lean methodologies.
Ryan had the right mix of technical depth, leadership, and strategic vision, having successfully done what Restaurant365 needed twice in previous roles.
42 Days to a Placement That Mattered
The search didn’t drag on for months. It took NU 42 days to identify, assess, and place the right leader.
NU operates at PE speed—fast, efficient, and focused on business impact. Core to our ethos is agility; we leverage AI and automation to move faster, refine insights, and deliver top candidates without wasted time.
Key Market Insights From the Search
- Engineering leaders who take on product management are more likely to do it again. They tend to stay in dual roles, especially in companies where technical execution needs to stay tightly aligned with business objectives.
- Product leaders who’ve run engineering often see it as a stepping stone to becoming CEO. If they’ve successfully led both functions, they’re often looking for broader leadership roles.
- Successful scaling requires the right leadership profile. If the focus is product expansion and innovation driven by customer needs, a product-focused leader may be the best fit. If the emphasis is on execution and scalability, an engineering-driven leader might be more suitable.
This search wasn’t just about finding someone qualified. It was about matching the right leadership profile to the company’s long-term goals.
The Impact on Restaurant365
Ryan is a strategic growth leader with a track record of aligning product and engineering, driving execution, and positioning private capital-backed companies for long-term success.
The client summed it up best:
“Our NU engagement was both thorough and efficient, and the team did an awesome job of really understanding our needs to then help find the best leader for our unique company and team.”
— Kate Kemp, Chief People Officer at Restaurant365
Why Talent Partners in Private Capital Choose NU
At NU, we don’t just fill an empty seat; we drive business impact. Our deep sector knowledge, relationships with top talent, and ability to move fast make us a go-to firm for high-impact, high-growth executive searches.
NU Advisory Partners is an AI and tech-led retained executive search and advisory firm focused on senior executive, operating, and board positions. If you’re interested in learning more, get in touch here.