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Church’s Texas Chicken Names New EVP, Global Chief Marketing Officer

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Quick-service chicken restaurant chain Church’s Texas Chicken® has hired Natalia Franco as executive vice president, global chief marketing officer role on March 6, bringing more than 30 years of executive leadership experience to the brand. In her new role, Franco is responsible for providing a strategic vision for the brand and creatively leading marketing ideation, brand execution and digital prowess across the organization to drive brand awareness and positioning, resulting in continued growth and stronger franchise relationships. “I’m thrilled to join this iconic brand as it continues on …

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Focus Brands® Opened 400+ Locations Globally in 2022; Signed 650 New Franchise Deals

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Focus Brands®, the parent company of Auntie Anne’s®, Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Jamba®, McAlister’s Deli®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® and Schlotzsky’s®, has closed out fiscal year 2022 exceeding $3.9 billion in system-wide sales for the first time in its history. Nearly 650 new franchise deals were signed, and 400-plus stores opened globally. Key to Focus Brands’ growth strategy has been its transformation into a platform company. Finding portfolio-wide synergies and cost savings adds more fuel to the company’s individual brands. In 2023, Focus Brands is prioritizing the ‘Power of the Portfolio,’ …

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Focus Brands Bolsters Leadership Team with 3 New Additions

by Katie Lee

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 …

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Jamba to Open 50 Units in Japan by 2025

by Katie Lee

Atlanta — Jamba®, a global lifestyle brand leader, has signed a 50-unit deal to expand in Japan. With two Tokyo locations now open, ADASTRIA eat Creations Inc. — a subsidiary of one of the largest fashion and apparel companies in Japan — is driving Jamba’s Japan expansion. ADASTRIA has opened two locations in Tokyo and has plans to expand to 50 locations across Japan by 2025. “As we strategically expand our brand portfolio in select countries around the world, we believe that Japan is an ideal market for Jamba as …

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Juice It Up! Appoints Franchise Veteran to Advance Operations

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — Juice It Up!, one of the nation’s leading handcrafted smoothie, açaí bowl and raw juice chains, has appointed Carlo Verdugo as director of operations and business development. An industry veteran with nearly two decades of franchise experience, Verdugo has served in various leadership roles for national chains including Jack in the Box and nearly a decade with Jamba, where he served as the senior director of global growth. As Juice It Up!’s director of operations and business development, Verdugo will lead a variety of initiatives supporting Juice …

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Juice It Up! Elevates Susan Taylor to President and CEO

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — Juice It Up!, one of the nation’s leading handcrafted smoothie, açaí bowl and raw juice chains, has promoted Susan Taylor to president and chief executive officer. She joined Juice It Up!’s senior leadership team last September as vice president of operations. A restaurant industry veteran of nearly 30 years, 14 of which were with Jamba, Taylor will lead Juice It Up!’s next phase of growth. Celebrating its 25-year anniversary in 2020, the Juice It Up! brand was acquired in 2018 by SJB Brands, LLC, a partnership between …

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Juice It Up! Taps Jamba Veteran to Lead Operations

by Katie Lee

Irvine, Calif. — Juice It Up!, one of the nation’s leading handcrafted smoothie, raw juice and superfruit bowl chains, has appointed Susan Taylor as vice president of operations. Leveraging over 26 years of experience in the restaurant industry, Taylor has served in various leadership roles for national franchise chains including 14 years at Jamba, where she was the senior director of franchise operations; Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill; Baja Fresh; and Chevy’s Fresh Mex. “Susan is not only well versed in our particular segment, she is passionate about the booming industry …

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