Wingstop Restaurants Inc. has promoted Dave Vernon to chief development officer, a position that had been open, the company said Friday.
Vernon most recently was vice president of development at Wingstop. He joined the Richardson, Texas-based company in 2010 as vice president of franchise sales. Prior to joining Wingstop, Vernon worked in development positions at Sonic Corp., Brinker International, Pizza Inn Inc., USA Cafes, and Signature Foods.
Vernon succeeds Wes Jablonski, who earlier had transitioned to chief franchise relations officer for Wingstop.
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In the new position, Vernon will be responsible for growth of the franchise network, including domestic, international and non-traditional expansion, the company said in a statement.
“Since joining Wingstop two years ago, Dave has been an integral part of the team that propelled Wingstop to reach 500 locations and beyond,” Charlie Morrison, Wingstop’s president and chief executive, said in a statement.
Vernon said he looked forward “to focusing on international and non-traditional expansion across the U.S. and overseas.” The wing chain currently has 536 units. Earlier this year, Wingstop said it would open its first airport location at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal B.
During Vernon’s tenure, Wingstop has signed franchise agreements that resulted in 288 new restaurant openings in the United States and 120 new units in Mexico.
Wingstop, which was acquired in 2010 by Atlanta-based private equity firm Roark Capital Group, said it will reach $452 million in annual systemwide sales by the end of this year.
Contact Ron Ruggless at ronald.ruggless@penton.com.
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