Leadership Transition Follows Multiyear Succession Plan

Restaurant Technologies has appointed Chief Operations Officer Alissa Partee as President and CEO, effective July 1, 2026, succeeding Jeff Kiesel, who will become non-executive chairman of the board.

Partee joined RTI in 2020 as Chief People Officer before moving into the COO role in 2024. The company's Board of Directors conducted what it characterizes as "an extensive multiyear succession planning process" before selecting Partee for the top role.

Building on Two Decades of Growth

Kiesel has led RTI since 2005, expanding the company's depot network from 12 locations to 41 while navigating the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, he guided the company through a ownership transition from Goldman Sachs Asset Management to Energy Capital Partners.

"Ensuring a strong future for RTI was our top priority, and it became clear that Alissa Partee was the right leader for this role," Kiesel said. "Alissa has a deep understanding of our business and the unique talent to carry our winning culture forward. She has proven that she can lead effectively across functions with high success, and she has genuine care and understanding for our people that sets her apart. I have complete confidence that RTI will reach new heights under her leadership."

Partee's Track Record in Operations

During Partee's tenure as CPO, RTI earned recognition from Newsweek as one of America's Greatest Workplaces, America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity, and America's Greatest Workplaces for Mental Well-Being. The company also received multiple "Best Places to Work" honors from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

In her current role as COO, Partee established a nine-member operations excellence team focused on enhancing service and customer value.

"I'm honored to lead RTI into its next chapter as we continue to set the standard for service and innovation in automated cooking oil management," Partee said. "Jeff has built a remarkable legacy as CEO for over two decades. I'm grateful for his leadership, mentorship, and the trust Jeff and the board have placed in me. I'm excited to build on our position as the market leader and carry that momentum forward for RTI."

Partee holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the DePaul Driehaus College of Business.

About the Company

Restaurant Technologies operates the Total Oil Management® system, which automates cooking oil delivery, storage, filtering, monitoring, collection, and recycling. The Minneapolis-based company serves over 45,000 customers across quick-service and full-service restaurants, grocery stores, hotels, casinos, and healthcare facilities through a network of 41 depots staffed by more than 1,200 employees.

Why It Matters

For restaurant operators and facility managers, leadership stability at major service providers signals continuity in the products and relationships they depend on. Partee's internal promotion from HR to operations roles suggests RTI is prioritizing operational excellence and workplace culture—factors that typically influence service quality and employee retention, which directly impact customer service delivery.

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Written by FBM Publications Editors