Famous Brands makes management changes

Famous Brands International announced several changes to its management team this week, including the appointment of David Bloom to senior vice president of strategic development.

Bloom previously served as chief development officer of Hurricane Grill & Wings, since June 2012. Prior to that, he was chief operations officer for Bridge International Academies, where he led international development and operations.

From 1998 to 2006, and from 2009 to 2011, Bloom was senior vice president of brand expansion at Quiznos.

Broomfield, Colo.-based Famous Brands also made the following management changes:

• Dustin Finkel, former senior director of marketing, licensing, innovation and strategy, was named vice president of marketing.

• Belinda Oakley, former vice president of operations, has been appointed to the position of vice president of operations.

• Cassie Alvey, former director of marketing for Mrs. Fields Gifts, is the new vice president of the Mrs. Fields Gifting division.

Famous Brands CEO Neal Courtney said the changes will further improve organizational efficiencies as the company continues to execute on growth initiatives.

“I believe that we now have the right team in place to unlock the full potential of the iconic Mrs. Fields and TCBY brands,” he said in a statement.

The company would not comment on whether anyone was replaced with these moves.

The management changes follow Courtney’s appointment to chief executive in July. Courtney served as interim CEO since February, following the departure of former CEO Tim Casey to Qdoba Mexican Grill.

Also in July, private-equity firm Z Capital Partners became Famous Brands’ sole shareholder after acquiring a minority stake owned by The Carlyle Group.

Famous Brands has more than 300 U.S. retail locations of the Mrs. Fields cookie chain, and another 100 locations internationally. Frozen-yogurt chain TCBY has more than 650 units worldwide.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].
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