Franklin, Tenn. — CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. (CKE), parent company of Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s®, has made two strategic appointments and a promotion to the executive leadership team in its effort to accelerate business and redefine the QSR category. Jeff Jenkins joins as chief marketing officer, Tom Brennan joins as chief operating officer, and Chip Seigel has been promoted to chief legal officer.
Jenkins will focus on reinvigorating creative campaigns. Brennan will work directly with franchisees to drive sales through rebuilding back-of-house operations to create efficiencies and impact at the store level.
“I’m proud we’ve attracted top talent and am excited to welcome both Jeff and Tom to CKE,” says Jason Marker, CEO of CKE. “Both are dynamic leaders with years of valuable food industry experience that will define CKE’s future and position within the marketplace. Customer satisfaction and innovative marketing has always been a hallmark of CKE’s success. Coupled with a strong operational team, these changes will ensure continued transformation of the company and its culture — while still delivering amazing quality food our fans love.”
Jenkins joins the CKE team with more than 15 years of experience in digital and deep foodservice marketing, most recently at Whole Foods Market, where he launched the company into the digital era. Prior to Whole Foods Market, he was the director of digital experience and new platforms for Taco Bell.
Prior to joining CKE, Brennan spent nearly 11 years with 7-Eleven working in a variety of roles including store operations, merchandising and store development. He brings a great deal of experience in multi-unit leadership, as well as working directly with franchisees to expand the core business. Previously, Brennan worked at the Target Corporation as a part of its financial planning & analysis team.
In addition to these new leadership appointments, Chip Seigel has been promoted to chief legal officer, a role in which he will oversee the legal department. He will also serve as key member of the management’s leadership team.
CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. (CKE) is a privately held company headquartered in Franklin, Tenn. CKE is not a franchisor and conducts substantially all of its restaurant activities and operations through its subsidiaries. Carl’s Jr. Restaurants LLC and Hardee’s Restaurants LLC own, operate and franchise the Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, Green Burrito® and Red Burrito® concepts. After recent international openings in Chile, Cambodia and Kenya, Carl’s Jr. Restaurants LLC and Hardee’s Restaurants LLC now have over 3,800 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 44 states and 41 foreign countries and U.S. territories.
For more information, visit www.ckr.com, www.carlsjr.com and www.hardees.com.
SOURCE: CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.