Smashburger chief marketing officer Josh Kern has stepped down after less than two years in the role, the company said Monday.
No explanation was given for Kern’s resignation, and it was not clear at press time if he will be replaced, or if an interim CMO has been named.
Kern became Smashburger’s first CMO in November 2014. He previously served as CMO for the Denver-based private-equity firm Consumer Capital Partners, or CCP, which owns Smashburger, as well as sister brands Tom’s Urban and Live Basil Pizza.
Before joining CCP, Kern worked with The Comex Group and restaurant operator American Blue Ribbon Holdings Inc. He was also vice president of marketing at Quiznos when it was owned by the Schaden family, which controls CCP. The firm sold Quiznos in 2012.
Smashburger, a fast-casual better-burger chain, has about 365 franchised and company-owned restaurants.
Last year, Philippines-based quick-service operator Jollibee Foods Corp. acquired a 40-percent stake in Smashburger, with plans to continue the chain’s rapid growth.
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