Logan’s Roadhouse Inc. has named industry veteran Len Van Popering chief marketing officer, the company said Wednesday.
Van Popering succeeds Todd Townsend, who left the Nashville, Tenn.-based casual-dining company last year.
Van Popering was most recently senior vice president of brand development and product innovation at Arby’s. He will report to Sam Borgese, Logan’s Roadhouse president and CEO, the company said.
“He is excited about the opportunity to make a real difference for our brand, and we are delighted to welcome him on board,” Borgese said in a statement.
At Arby’s, Van Popering was responsible for product marketing, calendar development, consumer insights, and culinary and food science.
Prior to Arby’s, Van Popering held marketing positions with Russell Corp. in Atlanta and Meadwestvaco Corp. in Richmond, Va.
Logan’s Roadhouse has had several executive changes in the past year. Last week, the company said chief financial office Amy Bertauski would leave as of Feb. 27. In January, the company named Michelle Zavolta chief people officer. Borgese was named president and CEO in October.
LRI Holdings Inc., the parent company of Logan’s Roadhouse Inc., reported in December a widened net loss of $13 million in its first quarter ended Nov. 2. The loss was 7.6-percent lower than the $12.1 million loss in the same period a year ago.
Same-store sales fell 1.3 percent in the quarter, and traffic fell 5.7 percent, offset by an increase in average check of 4.7 percent, due to a reduction in buy-one-get-one-free offers and other discounts.
Logan’s Roadhouse has 235 company-operated and 26 franchised restaurants in 23 states.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless
