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Papa Johns says Amanda Clark to depart as COO internationalPapa Johns says Amanda Clark to depart as COO international

Pizza brand says she has been named CEO at another unidentified franchise company

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

January 29, 2024

1 Min Read
papa johns amanda clark COO international departure
Papa Johns International Inc. announced the departure of Amanda Clark, chief operating officer for international and development, as of March 1.

Papa Johns International Inc.’s Amanda Clark will depart as chief operating officer for international on March 1 to assume the role of CEO at another company in the franchise industry, the pizza brand said Monday.

Papa-Johns-Amanda-Clark-Headshot.jpgClark joined Papa Johns as chief development officer in February 2020 and was named chief operating officer in September 2023. The company said it is seeking a successor.

Rob Lynch, Papa Johns CEO and president, said in a statement: “We have created a culture at Papa John’s where we cultivate top talent and help them achieve their full potential. We wish Amanda much success in her new role.”

Under Clark’s leadership, the company said, Papa Johns added more than 700 net new units and signed the two largest development agreements in company’s history.

“We have a strong international leadership team in place and talent within that organization who will continue to deliver on our business priorities while we conduct a comprehensive search that will evaluate both internal and external candidates for the next international leader,” Lynch said.

“The team is focused on executing the international transformation initiatives we recently announced as part of our Back to Better 2.0 plan, including establishing our international regional business hubs, accelerating consumer-facing technology enhancements and optimizing the U.K. market for long-term profitability and strength,” he said.

Related:How Papa Johns plans to make its franchisees more profitable

Papa Johns, founded in 1984, has more than 5,900 restaurants in 50 countries and territories.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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