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Atlanta — Papa John’s International, Inc. has promoted Max Wetzel to executive vice president, chief commercial officer. Wetzel joined Papa John’s in November 2019 as its chief commercial and marketing officer; in his new, expanded role, he will add North America restaurant operations, technology and insights to his responsibilities. “Over the past 2 years, Papa John’s has fully transformed itself from a turnaround story to an innovation-driven growth business with enormous development whitespace,” says Papa John’s president and CEO, Rob Lynch. “Over the same period, the pandemic also accelerated changes …

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Franklin, Tenn. — CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. (CKE), owner, operator and franchisor of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, recently announced a new operating structure that combines restaurant operations and supply chain under John Dunion, a 25-year company veteran (pictured). The new structure drives focus on brand operations, accountability, ownership and execution across the U.S. business. “John is an excellent leader with a penchant for team building and moxie for driving successful business outcomes,” says CEO Ned Lyerly. “John knows our business inside and out, has an excellent rapport with our franchisees …

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Fairview Heights, Ill. — IMPACT Strategies, a premier provider of construction management, pre-construction management, general contracting and design-build services, has opened its new Cincinnati, Ohio, office. Additionally, IMPACT has appointed Patrick Mason as project director/market leader in the new office. He will pursue regional development opportunities, manage the design and construction process on projects, and foster business relationships in the surrounding area. “As we monitored the trajectory of the Ohio/Kentucky market, we knew expanding to a region with such solid velocity for growth was the right move for us,” says …

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Plano, Texas — Pizza Hut has promoted David Graves to president of Pizza Hut U.S., reporting to Pizza Hut division CEO Aaron Powell, effective January 1, 2022. Graves currently serves as general manager of Pizza Hut U.S. and will succeed the interim president of Pizza Hut U.S., Kevin Hochman. “David has a well-deserved reputation for delivering results, repeatedly demonstrating his expertise in identifying solutions to business challenges that not only enhance the experience for customers, but also benefit restaurant economics, and I couldn’t be more pleased by his promotion,” says …

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Fort Worth, Texas — Westwood Contractors has added Michael Roop as director of operations, effective October 4. From its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, Roop will be directly responsible for supervising the company’s project management team and the general field superintendent. His key accountabilities include developing and monitoring operations, project management, field, administrative processes and procedures, and ensuring compliance. Roop has 27 years of experience in the construction industry, including positions with Trademark Property Company and Bridgestone Retail Operations. Throughout his professional career he has successfully led a variety of …

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Indianapolis — Leading sports retailer Lids has promoted Britten Maughan to president. He has been a key factor in Lids’ continued growth since he joined the company in 2019. In his role as a senior vice president, marketing and partnerships, Maughan has overseen all aspects of product, marketing, merchandising, partnerships and distribution for the retailer. Most notably, he implemented an improved business process with the introduction of data analytics to drive merchandising and allocation decision making. He has also run point on improving product assortment. “I am fortunate to be …

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Minnetonka, Minn. — BBQ Holdings, Inc., the multi-brand restaurant company behind concepts such as Famous Dave’s and Granite City Food and Brewery, and the newly acquired Village Inn and Bakers Square, has hired Manny Packing as the brand’s new vice president of franchise sales and real estate. Most recently, Packing was the director of international real estate and construction for Inspire Brands, the owner and franchisor of several legacy franchise brands, including Arby’s, Sonic Drive-In, Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins. While there, Packing was responsible for onboarded new franchisees and led efforts …

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Fort Myers, Fla. — Chico’s FAS, Inc. has appointed Patrick J. (PJ) Guido as its new chief financial officer, effective September 20, 2021. He will report directly to Molly Langenstein, chief executive officer and president of Chico’s FAS. Guido has more than 20 years of finance and operations experience and has held numerous executive leadership roles at premier retail and consumer companies. He most recently served as senior vice president and chief financial officer at Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the …

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Atlanta — Tropical Smoothie Cafe, a leading national fast-casual cafe franchise known for its better-for-you smoothies and food with a tropical twist, has promoted its former senior vice president of operations, Richard Key, to chief operations officer, effective immediately. Key has served on the brand’s senior leadership team since joining the company in 2018. In his new role, he will help grow and evolve field support teams and lead internal initiatives that prioritize the Tropical Smoothie Cafe guest experience and franchise profitability. “Over the past 3 years, Richard and his …

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Birmingham, Ala. — Hibbett, Inc., an athletic-inspired fashion retailer, has promoted Jared Briskin to executive vice president, merchandising, effective immediately. A 23-year veteran of the company, Briskin will be responsible for merchandising, planning, allocation and supply chain. Briskin joined the company in April 1998 as a buyer and has held positions of increasing responsibility over the years in such leadership roles as vice president over various aspects of the business from June 2004 through September 2014 to senior vice president and chief merchant since September 2014. “Jared has been a …

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