Starbucks

Panera Brands Establishes Next Generation of Leadership

by Katie Lee May 25, 2023

St. Louis — Panera Brands Inc., which includes the fast-casual and hospitality brand Panera Bread as well as Einstein Bros. Bagels and Caribou Coffee, has established its next generation of CEO leadership and board governance in preparation for its eventual IPO. Current CEO Niren Chaudhary will become chairman of Panera Brands, handing the CEO reins to José Alberto Dueñas, currently president and CEO of Einstein Bros. Bagels, effective July 1, 2023. Former Starbucks CFO and independent director Patrick Grismer will become chairman of the audit committee. Over the last 4 …

May 25, 2023

News people restaurants

BIGGBY® COFFEE Names Former Starbucks Veteran as New Chief Marketing Officer

by Katie Lee January 24, 2023

Lansing, Mich. — BIGGBY® COFFEE, the 340-unit coffee concept, has welcomed industry veteran Michele Waits as chief marketing officer. Waits has 25 years in brand management and more than 11 years in coffee marketing as a vice president for Starbucks. In addition to Starbucks, Waits has worked with brands such as Gerber and illycaffè. “Michele brings a remarkable professional history to the BIGGBY® COFFEE team,” says Michael McFall, co-founder and co-CEO. “As we work to drive the brand forward, her insights will empower the marketing team to connect with our …

January 24, 2023

News people restaurants

Blaze Pizza Names Focus Brands President as its New CEO

by Katie Lee January 4, 2023

Los Angeles — Blaze Pizza, the nation’s leading fast-casual franchise pizza brand, has appointed Beto Guajardo as its new president and chief executive officer. Guajardo formerly served as president of Focus Brands International. Guajardo joins Blaze Pizza after overseeing the international business at Focus Brands, which included more than $400 million of chain sales in over 50 markets with 1,900 restaurants, 100 franchisees and eight brands (Cinnabon, Auntie Anne’s, Jamba, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Moe’s Southwest Grill, McAlister’s Deli and Schlotzsky’s). Before being promoted to this role, Guajardo was responsible for …

January 4, 2023

News people retailers

Levi Strauss & Co. Appoints Kohl’s Michelle Gass as President

by Katie Lee November 8, 2022

San Francisco — Levi Strauss & Co. has made leadership changes in its executive team with the appointment of Michelle Gass to the new position of president, LS&Co., reporting to Chip Bergh, president & CEO. Gass will be responsible for leading the Levi’s® brand and the company’s global digital and commercial operations. Gass will begin her role with the company on January 2 and is expected to join the LS&Co. board of directors on her start date. “We are delighted that an executive with Michelle’s background, experience and stature is …

November 8, 2022

construction and design franchise development News restaurants

Starbucks to Open 23,000 SF Store in New York City’s Empire State Building

by Katie Lee October 26, 2022

Seattle — Starbucks Coffee Company plans to open a new Starbucks Reserve location spanning 23,000 square feet and three floors at the iconic Empire State Building in New York City. Starbucks Reserve® Empire State Building®, to open on Nov. 16, will be a one-of-a-kind destination that celebrates connecting over coffee through innovative coffee house experiences. The store will showcase the imagination of Starbucks with new and classic beverages crafted with Starbucks Reserve® coffee, immersive and imaginative hands-on workshops and tasting flights, and an extensive menu of Princi® shareable plates and …

October 26, 2022

News people retailers

Dollar Tree, Inc. Names Chief Development Officer

by Katie Lee September 28, 2022

Chesapeake, Va. — Dollar Tree, Inc. has added Pedro Voyer to its executive leadership team as the company’s new chief development officer. He has more than two decades of executive leadership experience in the restaurant industry — from Starbucks to Burger King to Panera Bread — including operations and facilities management. “With more than 25 years of leadership experience in the domestic and international multi-unit food and beverage industry, Pedro has a strong track record in profitable new unit growth, portfolio asset management and facility management,” says Mike Witynski, president …

September 28, 2022

franchise development News people restaurants

MOD Pizza Promotes Chief Restaurant Officer and Hires First Chief Development Officer

by Katie Lee September 20, 2022

Seattle — MOD Super Fast Pizza Holdings, LLC, a fast-casual pizza pioneer, has promoted Becky Mulligan to the newly-created position of chief restaurant officer and Stephen Blum as its first chief development officer. The company also has made three executive-level hires, with a focus on enhancing MOD’s strength in franchising, culinary innovation and operational excellence as it continues to expand its store footprint of more than 520 locations system-wide. Mulligan’s elevation to chief restaurant officer comes as she celebrates a year with the company during which she has led the …

September 20, 2022

Industry Voices retailers

Maximizing The Experience

by Katie Lee June 9, 2022

— By Jon Jaggers — Cross-pollinating your retail experience: store-within-a-store, dual brands, and sub-brands. In today’s retail climate, many customers are looking for experiences beyond the store. These days, more and more brands are partnering with other businesses to offer a unique experience that both brand partners can share. This is called cross-pollination within retail, and it has become one of the hottest trends in the business world. In this column, we’ll explore what exactly cross-pollinating your retail experience means and how you can use it as an opportunity …

June 9, 2022

News people retailers

REI Co-op Expands Leadership Team

by Katie Lee May 23, 2022

Seattle — REI Co-op has made two additions to its senior leadership team. Sylvia Wilks joined REI on May 23 as the company’s first senior vice president, chief supply chain officer. Minnie Alexander will begin her role as vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary on May 31. “Sylvia and Minnie join our team from customer-centric organizations that are deeply focused on creating best-in-class experiences. Their talent will help REI deliver on our promise to inspire and enable a life outside for everyone by serving our members, employees and broader …

May 23, 2022

News people retailers

JCPenney Names Chief Marketing Officer

by Katie Lee May 11, 2022

Lewisville, Texas — JCPenney has appointed John Aylward as chief marketing officer (CMO), effective June 6, 2022. Aylward will help advance the company’s omnichannel strategy to deliver a modern, seamless experience across stores and digital. He will lead the marketing strategy, creative, visual merchandising and store design, and customer engagement teams. “The 120-year-old JCPenney brand is iconic. We must protect what the brand represents while evolving how it expresses who we are today,” says Marc Rosen, chief executive officer. “John will help fulfill our potential at this pivotal moment when …

May 11, 2022

Newer Posts

Older Posts