The new owners of Bojangles’ Inc. continue to shore up its executive team with industry veterans who’ve worked at high-profile brands.
The latest is Panera Bread veteran Kenneth M. Koziol, left, tapped as the company’s new chief restaurant support officer. In this new role for the Charlotte, N.C.-based chicken and biscuits company, Koziol is responsible for supply chain, quality assurance, strategy, menu development, innovation and information technology.
He reports directly to the CEO Jose Armario, who was named chief executive in late January. Armario held numerous global positions at McDonald’s, including executive vice president of worldwide supply chain. Bojangles also named Brian Unger chief operating officer in January.
The new executives join the former publicly traded company after its sale to private equity firms Durational Capital Management L.P. and The Jordan Company L.P.
Koziol is a 35-year veteran with vast experience in restaurant innovation, quality assurance and menu development. He most recently served as executive vice president of supply chain, manufacturing and international at Panera Bread.
At the bakery-cafe chain, a subsidiary of JAB Holding Co., he led the modernization of supply chain and manufacturing operations, Bojangles said. Prior to working at Panera, Koziol spent more than 20 years at McDonald’s Corp. His senior-level roles included serving as executive vice president and worldwide chief restaurant officer.
“I am thrilled that a restaurant industry leader of Ken’s caliber has joined the Bojangles’ family at this exciting time for our brand,” Armario said in a statement. “Ken’s extensive strategy development background, QSR business acumen and industry experience will add tremendous value to us as we prepare the groundwork for our long-term growth strategy.”
Armario has hinted at plans to expand the brand, particularly in newer markets like the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. Currently, the chains restaurants are concentrated in the Southeast.
Founded in 1977 in North Carolina, Bojangles’ is known for its all-day breakfast menu of made-from-scratch biscuit breakfast sandwiches.
As of Dec. 30, Bojangles’ had 759 restaurants, of which 319 were company-operated and 440 were franchised restaurants.
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