Lebanon, Tenn. — According to the board of directors of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., Julie Felss Masino will succeed Sandra B. Cochran as the company’s next president and chief executive officer.
Masino most recently served as president, international of Taco Bell, overseeing the expansion of the division to more than 1,000 restaurants in 32 countries, and before that led the $11 billion U.S. Taco Bell business.
“Today’s announcement represents the culmination of a multi-year CEO succession-planning process by our board of directors and Sandy, and we are thrilled to welcome Julie to the head of the Cracker Barrel table,” says William McCarten, Cracker Barrel’s chairman of the board. “We believe Julie’s track record as an innovator and a leader, together with her strategic thinking and passion for growth, will ensure that Cracker Barrel remains a place where people feel welcomed and cared for like family as we extend our hospitality to an even broader array of guests.”
Adds Cochran: “Julie brings a wealth of experience and an innovative spirit to Cracker Barrel and Maple Street. I look forward to seeing her and the team build on our legacy and carve new paths for growth as they leverage and continue our investments in technology, loyalty and the employee and guest experience. It has been a privilege to lead this brand for the last 12 years and I am happy to be able to transfer my role to someone as capable and accomplished as Julie.”
Masino spent the last 5.5 years at Taco Bell, during which time she led franchise partners and teams to open over 800 new units in the U.S. and around the globe. The bulk of her career was spent in a variety of leadership roles at Starbucks Coffee Company, including serving as the CMO of Starbucks’ China business as well as vice president, strategy Americas and EMEA; vice president, global beverage; and vice president, global merchandise and packaged food. She began her professional career in corporate positions at a variety of retail companies, including Godiva Chocolatier, Coach, J. Crew and Macy’s.
Masino will assume the role of CEO-elect on August 7, 2023, and will work with Cochran through the end of October on a transition of duties. On November 1, 2023, Masino will become the company’s president and CEO and will be appointed to the company’s board of directors. At that time, Cochran will become the executive chair of the board through September 2024, and the board’s current independent chair, William McCarten, will assume the role of lead independent director.
SOURCE: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.