Quiznos has named Kenneth Cutshaw president of international, the sandwich chain said Wednesday.
Cutshaw, formerly of Church’s Chicken, will head the international division for Denver-based Quiznos, which has been expanding overseas. The 2,200-unit chain has restaurants across the U.S. and in 25 countries, including about 650 international units.
Quiznos plans to build nearly 150 restaurants in Brazil, and units are also planned for Asuncion, Paraguay; Mumbai, India; and Manila, Philippines. Quiznos recently opened a fifth restaurant in the Dominican Republic that generated more than $26,000 in opening week sales, said Quiznos chief executive Stuart Mathis.
Cutshaw was previously executive vice president and chief legal officer of Cajun Operating Company, the Atlanta-based franchisor and operator of Church’s Chicken and Texas Chicken. He was also chief compliance officer and president of the affiliated Cajun Funding Corp.
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Earlier, he co-founded Cheers Funeater and was a founding partner in the Red, Hot & Blue barbecue chain. Cutshaw also co-founded Let’s Go Back LLC, and was a shareholder in Dressed Salads International of Hong Kong.
“Ken’s extensive experience in global franchising and restaurant operations will be invaluable as we continue our international expansion, and I’m thrilled to welcome him to the team,” Mathis said.
Cutshaw said in a statement: “Quiznos is poised to build on its remarkable success in markets around the world. Drawing from my passion for international business, as well as the knowledge I have amassed through visits to more than 60 countries, I am extremely excited to lead Quiznos in its continued global expansion.”
Earlier this year, Quiznos completed a restructuring that brought in new ownership. Mathis was named chief executive in July. New York-based hedge fund Avenue Capital Group took a majority stake in the 2,700-unit chain in a debt-for-equity swap that closed in January.
Quiznos is among a growing number of U.S. restaurant brands looking for growth overseas, particularly in such emerging markets as India, China, Russia and Brazil. Among them are Yum! Brands Inc., parent to KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell; Domino’s Pizza; McDonald’s and Burger King.
Contact Lisa Jennings at lisa.jennings@penton.com.
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