Sponsored By

Bojangles’ names new CEO, COOBojangles’ names new CEO, COO

New executives named as company completes going-private sale

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

January 29, 2019

1 Min Read
Nation's Restaurant News logo in a gray background | Nation's Restaurant News

Bojangles’ Inc. has named McDonald’s Corp. veterans Jose Armario as CEO and Brian Unger chief operating officer, the company announced Monday.

The Charlotte, N.C.-based chicken and biscuits company made the executive changes as it completed its sale to Durational Capital Management L.P. and The Jordan Company L.P., a going-private deal announced in November.

Board director James “Randy” Kibler had served as interim CEO since last March, when longtime CEO Clifton Rutledge resigned.

Prior to joining Bojangles’, Armario held numerous positions at McDonald’s, including president of the burger giant’s Chile division, group president of McDonald’s Canada and Latin America and executive vice president of worldwide supply chain, development and franchising.

In an interview on the Bojangles’ media website, Armario hinted at plans to expand the brand, particularly in newer markets like Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states, as well as international expansion.

“I have visited lots of Bojangles’ restaurants across the system where our dedicated team members are serving the highest quality, best-tasting food in the industry, and I look forward to being part of the exciting future that lies ahead for the Bojangles’ brand,” Armario said in a statement.

Prior to joining the Bojangles’ as COO, Unger served as senior vice president of operations at McDonald’s, COO for Einstein Noah Restaurants Group Inc. and president and COO for Long John Silver’s.

Related:Bojangles’ sold to Durational Capital Management

Bojangles has 758 locations.

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected]  

Follow her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.

You May Also Like