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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

QDOBA Adds 3 Seasoned Executives to Development Team

by Katie Lee

San Diego — QDOBA Mexican Eats® (QDOBA), the largest franchise opportunity in the fast-casual Mexican segment, has added three industry leaders to its development team. Joining the leading concept is Lori Osley as vice president of franchise development, Kyle Brown as director of design and architecture, and Anthony Friel as project manager. The group of trade veterans will spearhead continued growth efforts by offering extended support to new and existing franchisees. Osley is joining QDOBA with substantial development experience through her work with Sonic Drive-In’s as the senior director of …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Starbucks President and CEO to Retire in April

by Katie Lee

Seattle — Starbucks Corporation has announced that Kevin Johnson, president and chief executive officer, intends to retire after a 13-year tenure at the company, including the last 5 years as CEO. Johnson will transition from his current role on April 4, 2022, and will continue to serve as a Starbucks partner (employee) and special consultant to the company and board of directors through September. The Starbucks board of directors has been engaged in continuous CEO succession planning, assisted by Russell Reynolds Associates since 2021, and anticipates selecting a new leader …

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The Montague Company Appoints New President

by Katie Lee

Chicago and Hayward, Calif. — In late February, Filippo Berti, chairman and CEO of the Ali Group, named Joe Deckelman as president of The Montague Company, an Ali Group Company. In his new role, he is responsible for the day-to-day management of The Montague Company. Deckelman’s extensive background in the commercial foodservice industry spans nearly three decades, working in many different areas of the industry. He held the role of vice president of sales and marketing at Champion Industries, an Ali Group Company, from 2010 to 2014. He also held …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Velvet Taco Adds to Leadership Team, Including New CFO

by Katie Lee

Dallas — Velvet Taco, the anything-but-ordinary Dallas-based restaurant serving globally inspired tacos, continues to build momentum with the addition of CFO, operations leaders, and dynamic growth plans. The brand will reach 32 locations nationwide in February 2022 — doubling its size from early 2021. As Velvet Taco has continued to expand nationally, the newly created position of chief financial officer has been filled by Lee Evans. Evans, who previously served in senior financial leadership roles at Rock Bottom Restaurants, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and more, will oversee financial reporting, planning …

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Newspeopleretailers

Floor & Decor Promotes SVP to EVP of Merchandising

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc. has promoted Ersan Sayman to executive vice president of merchandising. Sayman will report to Lisa Laube, president, until her April 2022 retirement, after which Sayman will report to CEO Tom Taylor. Sayman, a 19-year veteran of the company, most recently served as senior vice president of merchandising. “Ersan is an extraordinary leader and has been instrumental in the tremendous growth of the company,” says Laube. “During his tenure at Floor & Decor, Ersan has excelled in every role, improving our product assortments, solidifying …

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Newspeoplerestaurants

Church’s Chicken and Texas Chicken Welcome VP of Company Restaurant Operations

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Church’s Chicken™ and Texas Chicken™, which combined make up one of the largest quick-service restaurant chains in the world, has hired Bill Mitchell as its new vice president of company restaurant operations, bringing immense industry and leadership experience in the QSR industry. Prior to joining Church’s Chicken™, Mitchell served as director of operations for Carrol’s Corporation, Burger King’s largest U.S. franchisee. He previously worked as general manager at Burger King, as well as district manager at several foodservice companies. Mitchell brings extensive expertise in maximizing sales performance, increasing …

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Newspeopleretailers

IT’SUGAR Appoints Retail Veteran as Vice President of Stores

by Katie Lee

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — IT’SUGAR, one of the largest specialty candy retailers in the U.S. with 100 locations, is adding to its leadership team with the appointment of Rob Trujillo as the company’s vice president of stores. Trujillo brings a wealth of retail experience to IT’SUGAR, and most recently spent the last 16 years at Sephora as senior district manager, regional director, vice president of stores and lastly, as vice president of retail special projects. He began his career as a store manager at GAP and Aeropostale before transitioning to …

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franchise developmentNewspeoplerestaurants

GPS Hospitality Promotes Region Vice President

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — GPS Hospitality, one the nation’s largest franchisees of BURGER KING®, Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen and Pizza Hut®, has promoted Roger Wood to region vice president whose oversight includes eight district leaders and 56 Michigan restaurants in GPS’ newly created Central Division. Wood initially joined GPS Hospitality in 2015 as director of operations for the Michigan North Region which encapsulated 29 restaurants. With more than 35 years of QSR restaurant leadership experience, Wood spent 15 years with an area Taco Bell franchisee expanding its footprint from eight to over 70 …

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Newspeopleproperty management

Konover South Hires New VP, Property Management

by Katie Lee

Deerfield Beach, Fla. — Laura Goetz has joined Konover South, LLC as vice president of property management. Goetz is an experienced industry veteran who was formerly with Grover Corlew and other notable companies such as Stiles Property Management and Terranova. She will be responsible for all property management activities on the firm’s assets. In addition to overseeing the property management division, she will work closely with Konover South’s development division in bringing all new properties to market. Laura’s primary responsibilities include budgeting and forecasting, rent collection, property maintenance, negotiation of …

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GRUBBRR Hires New Chief Operations Officer

by Katie Lee

Boca Raton, Fla. — GRUBBRR, the commerce automation company at the forefront of self-ordering technologies, has hired Patrick Laney as its new chief operations officer. “In the next 10 years, I expect to walk into most fast food, retail and grocers in the United States and transact on a kiosk provided by GRUBBRR,” Laney says. As COO, Laney steps into a pivotal role for GRUBBRR’s scaling, bolstering these efforts by defining and implementing an overall strategy for infrastructure optimization. Prior to joining GRUBBRR, Laney co-founded Performance Drone Works (PDW). He …

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