Ducey ousted by Kahala-Cold StoneDucey ousted by Kahala-Cold Stone

SCOTTSDALE Ariz. Kahala-Cold Stone’s board of directors has exercised an option to end its relationship with chief executive Doug Ducey to enable Kahala founder Kevin Blackwell to take the reins of the franchisor of 14 brands, including Blimpie, Surf City Squeeze and Cold Stone Creamery, the Arizona Republic reported.

The change comes four months after Ducey's Cold Stone Creamery chain merged with the former Kahala Corp., when Blackwell became chairman and chief strategist. But he decided he wanted a more active role in leading the 4,600-store franchise system of 14 brands with $1.1 billion in systemwide sales, he indicated.

Astatement attributed to Ducey said the Kahala-Cold Stone merger "continues to make tremendous sense for stakeholders, employees and customers."