Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc., parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, has named Jack Clare its chief information officer, reporting to chief global strategy officer Neil Moses.
Most recently, Clare was vice president for information technology and chief information officer at Yum! Restaurants International, overseeing IT strategy for KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in more than 120 countries. In that position, Clare “established the global strategy to extend the company's online eCommerce channel to markets outside the U.S.,” according to a press release from Dunkin’ Brands.
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In his new position, Clare will focus on supporting the company’s franchisees “to drive restaurant profitability through technology,” the release said.
Dunkin’ Brands’ 17,000 units worldwide are almost all franchised.
Dunkin’ Brands has recently been on a push to standardize its information technology systems. In a conference call last week reporting quarterly earnings, chief executive Nigel Travis said 6,000 of Dunkin’ Donuts' 7,079 U.S. locations now had a standardized point of sale system. He also credited standardization of Baskin-Robbins’ POS system with allowing for better marketing.
Also during the conference call, Travis said the company planned to release a Dunkin’ Donuts mobile app in the third quarter of 2012.
Clare previously served as vice president for technical services at Constellation Brands, a top producer and purveyor of wine, beer and spirits.
He also was a system and flight test engineer in the United States Air Force.
"Technology is one of the top priorities at Dunkin' Brands because we are committed to providing our franchisees and employees with the tools and information critical to improving the guest experience, increasing profitability and stimulating growth," said Moses, who in June was promoted to his new position from chief financial officer. "With his long track record in building strong, business-focused IT teams and driving high performance across brands, Jack will play a key role in supporting our growing business and using technology to help Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins better serve guests throughout the world."
Clare received a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., a master of science in aerospace engineering from the University of Dayton, in Dayton, Ohio, and a master of business administration from the University of California, Davis.
Contact Bret Thorn at bret.thorn@penton.com.
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