Athens, Ga. — Zaxby’s, a premium quick-service restaurant brand founded in Athens, Ga., has named Patrick Schwing as chief marketing & strategy officer. He joins Zaxby’s from Inspire Brands, where he has served as Arby’s chief marketing officer and president of the Franchise Association for more than 2 years. In his new role, Schwing will oversee marketing communications, loyalty, e-commerce, R&D and media including digital and social to help the organization architect its future growth plans. “As Zaxby’s focuses on brand and culinary differentiation, we are excited to add Patrick …
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Charlotte, N.C. — Eric Gustafsson has been named the new vice president of franchise development for Famous Toastery. He will play an instrumental role in supporting incoming franchise owners as the brand moves closer to achieving its goal of reaching 50 units — doubling its current footprint — by 2024. Gustafsson brings many years of experience in the restaurant and franchising industries. Most recently, Gustafsson worked as director of business development for REEF, a global ghost kitchen technology company with 400 operations throughout the world. Prior to that, Gustafsson worked …
Richardson, Texas — ENTOUCH, a leader in multisite energy management solutions, has hired Jordan Statt and Simone Samms as vice president of channel development and director of product management, respectively. In his role, Statt will build upon the growth of ENTOUCH’s channel partners and expand on the company’s vision to develop a robust channel and partner ecosystem. Samms will shape the product management team, focusing on delivering solutions directly impacting customer goals and strategic growth. Statt brings a decade of business and channel development leadership expertise to the role. Before …
Seattle — Starbucks Corporation’s board of directors has provided an update to affirm the search details for the company’s next chief executive officer. The board has agreed with founder Howard Schultz that he will remain as interim CEO through the first fiscal quarter of 2023. This timeline provides the company the ideal runway for a seamless transition and continuity of leadership through the 2022 holiday season, as the business transformation continues. Since returning as interim CEO on April 4, Schultz has engaged deeply with employees of all levels of the …
Scottsdale, Ariz. — Fransmart plans for a multibillion-dollar portfolio of category-leading franchise brands by the end of 2030. To reach this goal, Fransmart will continue to identify and invest in concepts ripe for national and international expansion, while accelerating growth of its legacy brands. Additionally, the company is expanding its best-in-class leadership team to support each of its brands with operational expertise and highly-effective sales and marketing strategies. “To succeed in the world of franchising requires continual improvements to the brand’s business model, growth strategy, systems and processes,” says Dan …
Dallas — BRIX Holdings, LLC, a Dallas-based multi-brand restaurant management and franchising company, has appointed Pamela Hunt as its chief financial officer. Hunt has more than 20 years of experience as a financial and operational leader for global organizations. In her new position, Hunt will oversee the BRIX Holdings’ finance organization and all financial activities including accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury and tax for the BRIX Holdings’ portfolio companies, which includes Friendly’s Restaurants, Orange Leaf, Red Mango, Smoothie Factory and other brands. Hunt was most recently vice president of …
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. — West Marine, Inc. has appointed Stacey Renfro as chief commercial officer. She joins the company’s senior leadership team and reports to CEO Eric Kufel. She is a seasoned retail veteran whose resumé includes leadership positions at The Vitamin Shoppe, Pier 1 Imports and JC Penney. “We are extremely pleased to welcome Stacey Renfro to the West Marine team,” says Kufel. “Through her complex growth initiatives and game-changing strategies, she has built lifestyle brands and transformed omni-channel retailers to accelerate digital strategies. Stacy’s passion for boating and …
Seminole, Fla. — Superior Group of Companies, Inc. has appointed Michael Koempel to the role of chief financial officer (CFO), effective May 31, 2022. He previously served as COO of various major retail brands. Koempel, with more than 30 years of broad financial experience, has an impressive record of building and scaling high growth apparel and retail brands. Most recently, Koempel was chief operating officer of IT’SUGAR®, one of the largest specialty candy retailers in the U.S. Prior to that, Koempel served as chief operating officer of Victoria’s Secret Lingerie, …
La Habra, Calif. — Howard’s, Southern California’s premier independent appliance retailer, has added Joy Banducci and Daryl Massy to its senior leadership team. Banducci joins the company as chief financial officer & technology officer, and Massy as senior vice president & chief merchant. “Banducci brings more than 20 years of experience in finance, systems, IT and project management/operations,” says John Riddle, CEO of Howard’s. She comes to the company from Swann Communications where she served as CFO. Swann Communications is a global leader in smart home security systems that partners …
Athens, Ga. — Zaxby’s, the premium quick-service restaurant brand founded in Athens, Ga., has hired industry franchising veteran Mike Mettler as its new chief development officer, while Mike Nettles, interim chief digital & technology officer, has been elevated to the position long term. “Franchising growth requires four things. A strong business model, a solid culture, passionate franchise owners and strategic areas to develop — Zaxby’s has them all,” says Mettler. Adds Nettles: “Zaxby’s has had a great ride thus far, but digital accessibility will be our ‘secret sauce’ for the …