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Montclair Hospitality Group Names New CEO

by Katie Lee January 9, 2023

New York City — Montclair Hospitality Group (MHG), a leading chef-driven, global hospitality group focused on curating unique restaurant brands and experiences, has appointed hospitality veteran Joey Simons to lead the group as chief executive officer. Simons was handpicked by MHG’s founder, Luck Sarabhayvanija, and brings decades of experience, having developed some of the world’s leading elevated dining, food tech and hospitality brands. With his new appointment, Simons leads all of MHG’s business units, overseeing business development and growth, as well as leading strategy on company operations. In a short …

January 9, 2023

construction and design News people vendors

IMPACT Strategies Promotes Derek Hinrichs to Controller

by Katie Lee January 5, 2023

Fairview Heights, Ill. — IMPACT Strategies has promoted Derek Hinrichs from senior accountant to controller. Prior to joining IMPACT Strategies in 2021, Hinrichs spent more than 10 years at a public accounting firm where he was a tax manager and consultant. His role as controller involves a wide range of critical responsibilities in support of the company’s growth strategies. Hinrichs will oversee all financial functions of the business involved in the accounting process, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, budgeting, forecasting and compliance. “We are excited to see Derek move …

January 5, 2023

News people restaurants

Dine Brands Global Announces Executive Leadership Changes

by Katie Lee January 5, 2023

Glendale, Calif. — Dine Brands Global, Inc., the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar®, IHOP® and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® restaurants, plans key leadership moves, each effective on January 6, 2023. John Cywinski, Applebee’s president, is leaving the company for a CEO position at another restaurant company. Tony Moralejo, who is currently president, Dine Brands International and Global Development, has been appointed president, Applebee’s U.S. Scott Gladstone, senior vice president of strategy and innovation, will step into the role of president, international and corporate development. “John and I share …

January 5, 2023

News people retailers

Designer Brands Inc. Plans CEO Transition in April

by Katie Lee January 5, 2023

Columbus, Ohio — Designer Brands Inc., one of the world’s largest designers, producers and retailers of footwear and accessories, has planned a CEO transition. The company’s board of directors has appointed Doug Howe, president of DSW, to succeed Roger Rawlins as the company’s chief executive officer, effective April 1, 2023, at which time Rawlins will step down as CEO and as a member of the board of directors. Rawlins will continue to work with the company for a 12-month period in a strategic advisor role to facilitate a seamless leadership …

January 5, 2023

News people restaurants

Blaze Pizza Names Focus Brands President as its New CEO

by Katie Lee January 4, 2023

Los Angeles — Blaze Pizza, the nation’s leading fast-casual franchise pizza brand, has appointed Beto Guajardo as its new president and chief executive officer. Guajardo formerly served as president of Focus Brands International. Guajardo joins Blaze Pizza after overseeing the international business at Focus Brands, which included more than $400 million of chain sales in over 50 markets with 1,900 restaurants, 100 franchisees and eight brands (Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Moe’s Southwest Grill, McAlister’s Deli and Schlotzsky’s). Before being promoted to this role, Guajardo was responsible for …

January 4, 2023

News people retailers

Under Armour Announces New President and CEO

by Katie Lee January 3, 2023

Baltimore, Md. — Under Armour, Inc. has named Stephanie Linnartz as its new president, chief executive officer and member of its board of directors, effective February 27, 2023. Linnartz currently serves as the president of Marriott International, Inc., the world’s largest hospitality company, with a portfolio of nearly 8,200 properties across 138 countries and territories and 30 brands, including The Ritz-Carlton®, St. Regis®, Marriott Hotels®, W® Hotels, and Westin® as well as the industry’s most extensive customer-loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy®, which has 173 million members. “As a 25-year veteran of one of …

January 3, 2023

News people restaurants software/technology vendors

SpotOn Names New Chief Product Officer & Chief Innovation Officer

by Katie Lee December 20, 2022

San Francisco — SpotOn, the top-rated software and payments partner for restaurants and small businesses, has named Bryan Solar as its new chief product officer. Solar joins SpotOn from Block, where he was the general manager for Square for Restaurants. He has also held leadership positions at Google, where he managed various SMB and restaurant-related projects. SpotOn’s co-founder and former chief product officer, Doron Friedman, will take on the newly-created role of chief innovation officer. “I’ve been closely watching SpotOn since its founding in 2017. Their ability to combine innovation, …

December 20, 2022

franchise development News people restaurants software/technology

Salata Salad Kitchen Names Vice President of Information Technology

by Katie Lee December 14, 2022

Houston — Salata, a leading built-to-order salad kitchen with 90 locations, has named Briton Smetzer as vice president of information technology. With a background in a variety of industries, including fast-casual restaurants, construction, ATM and technology services, Smetzer brings his expertise to the growing concept to lead the modernization of Salata’s IT infrastructure. Smetzer most recently served as director of ATM management & software deployment at NCR, an information technology company that manufactures self-service kiosks, point-of-sale terminals and automated teller machines. Smetzer will be the first to hold the vice …

December 14, 2022

News people restaurants

Clean Juice Hires its First Chief Financial Officer

by Katie Lee December 13, 2022

Charlotte, N.C. — Clean Juice®, the nation’s first and only USDA-certified organic juice and food bar franchise, has hired Ashley Love to chief financial officer. Love is the first CFO for Clean Juice. In this newly created role, Love will oversee the finance, human resources, compliance and legal departments, while focusing on cost-saving efficiencies, streamlining financial operations, ensuring regulatory compliance and implementing scalable systems to support the brand’s strong growth trajectory. Love’s understanding and implementation of scalable systems and processes focus on several impactful areas important to Clean Juice’s operations, …

December 13, 2022

News people retailers

Planet Fitness Appoints President and Chief Operating Officer

by Katie Lee December 13, 2022

Hampton, N.H. — On Dec. 12, 2022, Planet Fitness, Inc. appointed Edward Hymes as its new president and chief operating officer, reporting directly to CEO Chris Rondeau. Hymes will join the brand in January and be responsible for driving both the day-to-day business and longer-term strategic growth of the company, with overall leadership and accountability of U.S. and international franchise operations and development, equipment sales and corporate stores, in addition to both the technology and legal functions. “Edward is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience including identifying, …

December 13, 2022

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