inspire brands

Church’s Texas Chicken Names New EVP, CFO

by Katie Lee February 27, 2023

Atlanta — Church’s Texas Chicken® has hired Atlanta-based executive Danton Nolan as the company’s executive vice president, chief financial officer. Nolan, who joins the company from Inspire Brands, replaces Louis Profumo, who is retiring after 18 years of service with the brand. Reporting to CEO Joe Guith, Nolan brings a wealth of industry experience including several years at Arby’s in the role of senior vice president of finance, where he contributed to a successful brand turnaround initiative during his tenure. He joins Church’s Texas Chicken® from Inspire Brands, the second …

February 27, 2023

construction and design News restaurants

SONIC Drive-In to Open First Hawai’i Location

by Katie Lee February 15, 2023

Oklahoma City — On February 20, SONIC® Drive-In will introduce the brand for the first time in the state of Hawai’i with the opening of a new location in Kahului, Maui. Located within the Ho’okele Shopping Center, the drive-in is owned and operated by North Shore Provisions, LLC, d/b/a SONIC Drive-In Hawai’i. SONIC Drive-In now has at least one location in 47 states. The new drive-in location in Kahului will offer drive-thru service, patio seating, as well as ordering through the classic SONIC drive-in stalls. “We’ve had our mind set …

February 15, 2023

construction and design News people restaurants

Focus Brands Bolsters Leadership Team with 3 New Additions

by Katie Lee January 19, 2023

Atlanta — Focus Brands®, parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s®, has appointed three senior leaders across two areas of the business. Effective immediately, the following executives will be leading these key business functions within the company: Chris Newman, Senior Vice President, Real Estate Jim Cannon, Senior Vice President, Design & Construction Julie Younglove-Webb, Chief Brand Officer, Auntie Anne’s “One of the most important investments a leader can make is in recruiting the best talent and assembling the right teams,” says Jim …

January 19, 2023

franchise development News restaurants

Gala Capital Partners to Purchase Rusty Taco from Inspire Brands

by Katie Lee December 20, 2022

Atlanta — Gala Capital Partners (GCP), an investment firm focused on emerging restaurant franchise brands, has reached an agreement to purchase Rusty Taco from Atlanta-based Inspire Brands. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Rusty Taco leadership team has co-invested in the acquisition and will remain in place to guide this new phase of the brand’s evolution. Inspire Brands acquired a majority interest in the Rusty Taco brand along with its purchase of Buffalo Wild Wings in 2018. Inspire successfully reinvigorated the brand, clarifying its positioning and rebranding …

December 20, 2022

franchise development News people restaurants

Church’s Texas Chicken Taps Industry Veteran for EVP of International Business

by Katie Lee September 6, 2022

Atlanta — Church’s Texas Chicken® has hired QSR industry leader Tim Waddell to take on the role of executive vice president of international business, effective September 6. Waddell brings extensive experience in the areas of global development, sales, marketing, operations and P&L management that will support the brand in its continued growth. “Tim’s expertise globally and within his category will help us propel our growth internationally. Tim is an accomplished, high-impact business leader with over 20 years of proven international development experience and has an outstanding reputation as someone who …

September 6, 2022

construction and design franchise development News restaurants

Arby’s Opens New California Location with Double Drive-Thru Design

by Katie Lee July 25, 2022

Oroville, Calif. — On July 15, Arby’s opened a new location with the company’s latest double drive-thru design in Oroville, Calif. The opening marks the second Arby’s in Butte County and sixth location owned and operated by Fremont, Calif.-based franchise group, Kang Foods LLC. The group’s newest Arby’s is one of the first in the entire Arby’s system to showcase the brand’s double drive-thru design and is the first ground-up Arby’s in Northern California in more than 40 years. “We took special care in constructing this brand-new location to ensure …

July 25, 2022

News people restaurants

Zaxby’s Names New Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer

by Katie Lee June 15, 2022

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 …

June 15, 2022

News people restaurants

Bojangles Names New COO

by Katie Lee April 26, 2022

Charlotte, N.C. — Bojangles has named senior restaurant executive David Whitaker as its new chief operating officer. He will join Bojangles on May 2, succeeding Brian Unger, who is retiring after 3 years at Bojangles and a career in the restaurant business that spans four decades. “I can’t say enough about Brian’s contributions to Bojangles,” says Jose Armario, CEO of the Southern food chain known for its chicken, biscuits and legendary tea. “He represents the very best in our industry and has helped our company navigate the past few years …

April 26, 2022

News people restaurants

Slim Chickens Adds New Senior Vice President of Operations

by Katie Lee November 23, 2021

Fayetteville, Ark. — Slim Chickens, a leading fast-casual franchise, has strengthened its executive team with the appointment of restaurant industry leader Christina Vaughan to senior vice president of operations. Vaughan will work closely with the chief operating officer of Slim Chickens, Sam Rothschild, handling various aspects of the brand including franchise, corporate and training operations. Additionally, in this role, she will be overseeing the cross-functional leadership team and working directing with the partnership group. With more than two decades of experience in the restaurant industry, Vaughan is well suited to …

November 23, 2021

News people retailers

JCPenney Welcomes New CEO

by Katie Lee October 25, 2021

Lewisville, Texas — Texas — JCPenney has appointed Marc Rosen as chief executive officer, effective Nov. 1, 2021. Stanley Shashoua, Simon’s chief investment officer, has been appointed as executive chairman of the board of directors after serving as interim CEO of JCPenney since January. “Marc joins JCPenney following a year of focused work to stabilize the business, improve financials and position the retailer for long term success,” says Shashoua. “Working with the phenomenal and dedicated JCPenney team as CEO has been immensely rewarding, and I look forward to my next …

October 25, 2021

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