GoTo Foods, the platform company, has made a number of leadership appointments as it begins the new year, the company said Wednesday.
GoTo Foods, parent company to Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Schlotzsky’s, changed its name from Focus Brands nearly a year ago.
“It’s a privilege to announce leadership appointments for five colleagues that are industry veterans and also have significant tenure at GoTo Foods,” said Jim Holthouser, GoTo Foods CEO, in statement. “Our platform company is dedicated to making transformational and strategic changes with the goal of driving profitability for franchisees and double-digit annual growth. The talent needed to accomplish these goals already existed in our organization, giving GoTo Foods yet another competitive advantage.”
The new appointments included:
- Shelley Harris – chief operating officer. She will oversee supply chain and operations to support franchises to accelerate business results. Shelley most recently served as president of the restaurant category at GoTo Foods, where she led strategic growth and business planning for the company’s portfolio of restaurant brands.
- Bobby Morena – chief development officer. In this role, he will oversee sales, real estate, design and construction, and portfolio management. Morena formerly served as the senior vice president of franchise development.
- Mike Freeman – president for brands. Freeman most recently was chief brand officer at McAlister’s Deli.
- Urvi Patel – chief brand officer for Cinnabon. Patel formerly served as the senior vice president of customer experience and engagement, where she led consumer engagement, loyalty, branded currency, revenue management, insights, and digital customer experience.
- Danielle Parra – chief brand officer for McAlister’s Deli. Parra previously served as senior vice president of marketing for GoTo Foods.
Atlanta-based GoTo Foods, as of Sept. 29, franchised and operated more than 6,800 restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops, and bakeries in all 50 states and more than 65 countries and territories.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]
Follow him on X/Twitter: @RonRuggless
