Wilmington-based Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, a seafood restaurant franchise with 19 units across the country, announced that Sarah Meriam has been promoted to chief operating officer.

The promotion fills the role vacated in late 2022 due to the retirement of the previous COO, according to a news release.

"I am beyond stoked to be given such a great opportunity by stepping into this new role. I was a fan of the Shack brand long before I worked here and feel blessed to be part of this team,” Meriam said in the release.

According to Jonathan Weathington, Shuckin' Shack CEO, stated in the release, “Sarah’s operational background and desire to see our strategic franchise partners succeed makes this move a no-brainer for us,” said Jonathan Weathington, CEO. “Sarah, since joining our team two years ago, has made tremendous progress on the operational capacity and prowess of our restaurants at both the corporate and franchise level.”

Prior to being promoted, Meriam served as director of franchise operations for the brand. She previously held the same title with Wilmington-based concept Port City Java. Meriam started her career with Port City Java in July 2002 and spent 10 years working as both a barista and cafe manager for several locations around Wilmington.

Later, as a training manager, she helped onboard new franchisees and franchise managers, assisting in numerous initial training programs and ongoing/supplemental training for franchise managers.

Meriam joined Port City Java’s corporate team in May 2012 as a franchise business consultant and was promoted to director of franchise operations in August 2016. Not long after, in February 2018, Meriam received her Certified Franchise Executive designation from the International Franchise Association.