A look at recent executive changes at chain restaurants across the country:
Captain D's has hired Janet Duckham, a veteran of Luby's, to serve as vice president of purchasing, a new position at the company.
Duckham had worked in various roles during her 23 years at Luby's, where she most recently held the title of vice president of purchasing and distribution.
At Nashville, Tenn.-based Captain D's, she will be responsible for the sourcing of all food and supplies for the quick-service chain's 535 restaurants worldwide.
“Janet possesses rich business insights as well as best-in-class abilities in procurement and distribution,” said Phil Greifeld, Captain D's president and chief executive. “Captain D’s is committed to providing our guests with top-quality food at reasonable prices. Janet’s insightful knowledge about food sourcing, including seafood, will serve the brand well in delivering a consistent, quality product to our guests that exceed their expectations.”
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Baskin-Robbins said it has added three executives to its international division, including the hiring of Paul Reynish as chief marketing officer.
Reynish most recently was chief executive of the Subway International Franchisee Advertising Fund and served on Subway's global executive management board. Before Subway, he worked as marketing director for Burger King's Asia Pacific and United Kingdom and Ireland divisions.
In his new post at Baskin-Robbins International, Reynish will oversee marketing for the chain's restaurants outside of the United States and manage the brand in Korea and Japan.
The 6,600-unit ice cream chain also has appointed Ian Martin as general manager for its Australia and New Zealand restaurants and Jo-Ming Tung as general manager for its Greater China division.
Martin will oversee operations, marketing, supply chain, training and business development for Baskin-Robbins' restaurants in Australia and New Zealand. He most recently served as group chief executive for Gloria Jean's Coffees International and has held leadership roles in various international divisions for Burger King Corp. and Yum! Brands Inc.
In his new role, Tung will work to grow Baskin-Robbins' presence in China with responsibility for supporting operations, marketing and supply chain activities.
Baskin-Robbins is a division of Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin' Brands Inc.
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Togo's Sandwiches has appointed Rand Ferris to the new position of vice president of operations for the 242-unit chain.
Ferris, who most recently was vice president of franchise operations for IHOP, will oversee restaurant operations, training and new unit construction, Togo's said.
“Over the past year, Togo’s has set in place aggressive strategic growth plans while we continue our focus on supporting our current franchise system,” said Tony Gioia, chief executive of San Jose, Calif.-based Togo's. “Rand’s nearly 30 years of expertise in executive management and restaurant operations will undoubtedly be a strong addition to Togo’s executive leadership team as we seek to continue our positive same-store sales performance, grow our restaurant count in new and existing markets, and increase our operational efficiency.”
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Abuelo’s, a 40-unit Mexican casual-dining chain, has named Neil Culbertson to the new position of chief marketing officer.
Culbertson will continue with his own marketing consulting firm, Growth Partners, which he created in 2003 after leaving Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc., where he had served as chief marketing officer between 1999 and 2002.
“We are tremendously excited to have Neil join the Abuelo’s team,” said Bob Lin, president of Food Concepts International, Abuelo’s parent company in Lubbock, Texas. “We think Neil will help us tell our story more effectively to reach more guests and help us accelerate the growth of our fan base.”
Ron Ruggless contributed to this report.
Contact Molly Gise at [email protected].
