Smoothie King Franchises Inc. has named Dan Harmon chief operating officer and Jennifer Herskind chief marketing officer, the company said on Thursday.
Harmon replaces Tom O’Keefe, who is retiring. The chief marketing officer role is a newly created position.
Harmon will oversee operations and training at company-owned and franchised locations when he starts as COO in the first week of August. He was most recently senior vice president of operations, learning and development at Papa Murphy’s International. He has also held executive positions at McDonald’s, Blockbuster and Potbelly Sandwich Works.
Herskind will be responsible for marketing and consumer research and development when she starts as CMO in mid-July. Most recently, she oversaw the nine-member marketing team for Gold’s Gym. Her previous experience includes roles at Mail Boxes Etc., Pizza Hut, Nestle Waters and Dave & Buster’s.
“We are excited to bring this wealth of talent and experience to our growing company, and I look forward to the impact Dan and Jennifer will have as we build our brand’s momentum,” Smoothie King CEO Wan Kim said in a press release.
“Both bring a combination of unique elements to Smoothie King that fit the mission and vision of the company to promote healthy lifestyles. Their backgrounds are perfect fits for where the brand is today and where it’s headed.”
Smoothie King, a privately held company, said same-store sales rose 9.1 percent in 2016. It signed 111 franchise and development agreements last year.
“Smoothie King has been able to tap into the exponentially increasing demand for quick and convenient nutritional options that support a variety of healthy lifestyles,” Harmon said. “There is tremendous opportunity for continued growth in the marketplace, and I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to the company in order to help make franchisees more successful and further the goals of the company as we open in new areas.”
Herskind said: “I have always been drawn to entrepreneurs with a passion for the mission of their brand, and I found that with Smoothie King and the leadership of Wan Kim. Fitness and wellness are important to me, and were the cornerstone of my work while at Gold’s Gym. That same motivation is fueling the expansion at Smoothie King, similar to what I’ve seen at other successful franchise concepts in growth mode. I am thrilled to join the team and eater to play a role in the company’s continued success.”
New Orleans-based Smoothie King has 900 units.
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