Cinnabon Inc. has promoted Joe Guith to president, succeeding Kat Cole, who in January was named president of global channels for parent company Focus Brands Inc., a Focus Brands executive confirmed Wednesday.
Guith has served as Atlanta-based Cinnabon’s chief operating officer since August, after working as an independent consultant and earlier in executive roles as a South territory general manager with KFC and as vice president of U.S. vending operations for The Coca-Cola Co..
"It is exciting to be part of such an iconic and popular brand," Guith said Wednesday. "It has been an exhilarating transition as I’ve become acquainted with the franchisees, indulged in every Cinnabon treat and explored all the exciting ways in which the brand is growing."
Cole, who had served as president of Cinnabon for the past four years, in her new role will oversee global, multi-channel growth for Cinnabon and other of Focus Brands concepts, which include Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Carvel ice cream, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky’s, as well as licensed units of Seattle’s Best Coffee.
Cole has overseen a number of new channels for Cinnabon products, including Minibons at Burger King and Cinnabon Delights at Taco Bell, as well as taken the brand into retail grocery stores.
Focus has more than 4,000 foodservice units in 60 countries. Cinnabon has 1,200 units in 55 countries.
Cole’s new role will include building those brands in the United States and abroad in “consumer packaged goods, foodservice licensing, global licensed platforms and E-commerce.”
Before joining Cinnabon, Cole was vice president of training and development for Hooters of America Inc., which owns and franchises the Hooters brand. In January, she was named as a “Game Changer” in Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual “Power List” issue.
Focus Brands is owned by Atlanta-based Roark Capital Group, the private-equity firm that also owns Arby’s, CKE Restaurants Inc., Corner Bakery Café, Il Fornaio, Miller’s Ale House and Wingstop Restaurants.
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