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Qdoba promotes vice president Eric Williams to chief operating officerQdoba promotes vice president Eric Williams to chief operating officer

Williams previously served as vice president of franchise and license operations for Qdoba Mexican Eats and has also worked for Carl’s Jr. parent CKE Restaurants

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

August 24, 2021

1 Min Read
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Joanna Fantozzi

San Diego-based fast-casual chain, Qdoba Mexican Eats, last week announced the promotion of vice president of franchise and license operations, Eric Williams, to chief operating officer, effective Aug. 18.

“Since joining Qdoba, Eric has proven to be an exceptional leader capable of taking on additional responsibility,” Qdoba CEO Keith Guilbault said in a statement. “He has provided valuable insight to help our franchise owners thrive, particularly during the pandemic, and I look forward to seeing his contributions and leadership extend even further into the company operations function in his new role.”  

Eric Williams, COO at QdobaWilliams, left, joined Qdoba in 2019 as director of operations. Prior to holding multiple positions with Qdoba, he had a nearly-30-year career with Carl’s Jr. parent company CKE Restaurants, where he served as chief operating officer, with experience in restaurant, franchise and corporate operations, as well as multi-unit franchise ownership.

“I am honored to be carrying out my work with Qdoba’s exceptional group of franchisees who hold true the brand’s mission of bringing flavor to people’s lives,” Williams said in a statement. “As I take on this next role, I see new growth opportunities on the horizon for both the company and franchise and I am thrilled to be moving into this next chapter.”

Related:Qdoba Mexican Eats appoints Jim Sullivan as chief development officer

Qdoba Mexican Eats currently has more than 740 restaurant locations across the U.S. and Canada.

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Qdoba Mexican Eats

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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