Wingstop names first VP international ops

Wingstop Restaurants Inc. has appointed Ted Leovich to the newly created position of vice president of international operations.

Leovich most recently was president of Global Brand Consulting LLC, which he founded, and has served as vice president of franchise development for Romacorp Inc., the parent to the Tony Roma’s chain.

“We are primed to tremendously increase our international presence in the coming years,” said Dave Vernon, chief development officer for Richardson, Texas-based Wingstop, in a statement.

“We knew the time was right to create a position specifically designed to spearhead our international growth,” Vernon added. “And with his extensive experience, Ted is the perfect fit.”

Leovich had worked as a consultant with Brinker International, Darden Restaurant Group and Ruth’s Chris Steak House in such regions as the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, the company said.

Wingstop recently signed a 50-unit master development agreement in Russia and a 20-unit agreement for Singapore. Wingstop has 18 restaurants and three under development in Mexico under a master agreement that calls for 120 locations there.

Wingstop, a division of Atlanta-based private-equity firm Roark Capital Group, has more than 560 quick-service chicken restaurants in the United States and Mexico.

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