Glendale, Calif. — Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar® has hired Steve Levigne to join its growing executive team as vice president of insights and analytics. He joins the company after 23 years with McDonald’s.
In his new role, Levigne and his team will uncover insights and utilize advanced analytics to best position Applebee’s for enhanced relevance and sustained growth. He will report directly to Applebee’s president, John Cywinski.
“Steve is a highly-regarded veteran of the restaurant industry and understands our challenges from a culinary, service, value and brand differentiation perspective. Importantly, franchisee partnership is part of his DNA, and he’ll be a terrific culture fit for the Applebee’s team,” says Cywinski.
Levigne joins Applebee’s after a distinguished 23-year career at McDonald’s, most recently serving as vice president, strategy and insights for all 14,000 U.S. restaurants.
Applebee’s is one of the world’s largest casual dining brands; as of Dec. 31, 2017, there are nearly 1,970 Applebee’s franchise restaurants in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and 14 other countries. Applebee’s is franchised by subsidiaries of Dine Brands Global Inc., which is one of the world’s largest full-service restaurant companies.
SOURCE: Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar