Wingstop names Flynn Dekker CMO

Wingstop Restaurants Inc. has named Flynn Dekker chief marketing officer to oversee branding and advertising for the chain of chicken wing restaurants.

Most recently, Dekker was chief marketing officer for Pizza Inn Holdings Inc., which operates and franchises Pizza Inn and fast-casual chain Pie Five Pizza. In his career of more than 20 years, Dekker also has held marketing positions with Fogo de Chão, Metromedia Restaurant Group, FedEx Kinkos, EMI Music Distribution and Blockbuster.

He replaces Doug Willmarth, who was named Wingstop chief marketing officer nearly one year ago exactly but left the company last November.

“Flynn is an exceptional leader with a great vision for restaurant marketing, and we’re excited to welcome him to Wingstop,” president and chief executive Charlie Morrison said in a statement. “I know Flynn’s achievements first-hand, having worked with him at previous stops in my career. He brings a distinguished background of experience and expertise to the table, and he will be a valuable contributor at Wingstop as we continue our record-setting growth.”

The Dallas-based chain noted in a press release that it opened 75 new locations in 2013, which was the 10th consecutive year that Wingstop increased its systemwide same-store sales. The brand also opened restaurants in Russia and Singapore.

“I’m extremely honored to join an industry leader and be part of this exceptional growth brand at such an exciting time in the company’s history,” Dekker said in a statement. “As Wingstop celebrates its 20th year of business in 2014, the momentum is contagious for our brand partners to take the most delicious wings on the planet to more customers around the world than ever before. I look forward to taking that message to the next level.”

Atlanta-based private-equity firm Roark Capital Group acquired Wingstop in April 2010. According to Nation’s Restaurant News’ most recent Top 100 report, Wingstop grew its domestic systemwide sales 20.5 percent to $450.9 million in fiscal 2012.

Wingstop was founded in 1994 and operates or franchises more than 600 units in the United States, Mexico, Russia and Singapore.

Contact Mark Brandau at [email protected].
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