Potbelly names two new executivesPotbelly names two new executives

Retail executive Thomas J. Fitzgerald has been named the new chief financial officer at Potbelly Corp., which also promoted 10-year company veteran Julie Younglove-Webb to the role of chief restaurant operations officer, the Chicago-based sandwich chain said Monday.

Fitzgerald, left, who starts immediately, replaces Michael Coyne who left in September to become the CFO of Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants.

He will be charged with shaping and implementing Potbelly’s strategic initiatives.  The chain’s turnaround strategy calls for digital marketing and menu improvements to drive repeat visits.

Fitzgerald comes to Potbelly after serving several years in executive roles at women’s accessories brand Charming Charlie, Sears Canada, Liz Claiborne Inc., Burlington Coat Factory and Bath & Body Works.

CEO Alan Johnson said Fitzgerald “has a proven track record of transformational leadership, with particularly relevant experience leading turnaround strategy development and execution.”

Younglove-Webb, left, who started at Potbelly in 2008, has been promoted to the newly created role of chief restaurant operations officer. She previously held the title of senior vice president of operations for three years. In her new position, she will continue to oversee Potbelly’s day-to-day restaurant operations. In addition, she will assume “leadership for training and the off-premise business,” the company said.

Younglove-Webb started her Potbelly career as a general manager. Prior to joining the company, she served in various senior-level executive roles at Kmart.

Potbelly operates about 490 restaurants.

Contact Nancy Luna at [email protected] 

Follow her on Twitter: @fastfoodmaven