Newk’s Eatery has named Robert Nygren chief financial officer, the Jackson, Miss.-based fast-casual operator said Monday.
Nygren most recently served as vice president of finance for DineEquity Inc., overseeing financial planning, analytics and strategy for its Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP brands, and serving as the key finance liaison with DineEquity’s franchise partners. He succeeds John Clagg, who left as CFO in March.
“After an extensive search for our new CFO, we are thrilled to bring Bob on board Newk’s leadership team,” Chris Newcomb, Newk’s Eatery co-founder and CEO, said in a statement.
“Bob has a proven track record of supporting the development and operational health of leading restaurant brands through smart financial leadership,” Newcomb said. “We know he will do the same for Newk’s and are excited for both the energy and expertise he brings to the brand.”
In his new position, Nygren will provide key leadership and strategic policy advice for Newk’s Eatery’s systemwide financial operations, the company said.
Prior his work with DineEquity, Nygren served as senior director of finance for Overland Park, Kan.-based NPC International Inc., the nation’s largest Pizza Hut franchisee
In Nation’s Restaurant News’ recent “Next 20” rankings of companies poised to enter the Top 200 in U.S. foodservice sales, Newk’s reported $141.6 million in systemwide sales for the fiscal year ended December 2014, an increase from $115.9 million in the Preceding Year.
Newk’s parent company, Newk’s Holding Co. LLC, was acquired in March 2014 by private-equity firm Sentinel Capital Partners.
Newk’s Eatery, founded in 2004, has more than 80 locations in 13 states.
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