Sponsored By

Sbarro names former RBI executive Mario Bojorquez as its president, North AmericaSbarro names former RBI executive Mario Bojorquez as its president, North America

Bojorquez most recently served as head of Asia-Pacific operations for Burger King, Popeyes, Tim Hortons, and Firehouse Subs

Holly Petre, Assistant Digital Editor

May 18, 2024

2 Min Read
Sbarro Mario Bojorquez
Sbarro has opened over 200 restaurants in the past two years and plans to open more than 100 net new restaurants in 2024.Courtesy of Sbarro

Sbarro has named Mario Bojorquez as president, North America, the quick-service pizza company announced on Friday. Bojorquez spent the past 11 years at Restaurant Brands International, parent to Burger King, Popeyes, Tim Hortons, and Firehouse Subs, in its Asia-Pacific region.

“[Bojorquez] is a talented restaurant executive with a proven track record of results and a solid understanding of franchising in our industry,” said David Karam, Sbarro CEO and chairman of the board, in a statement. “He is a great cultural fit for Sbarro. His strong people focus and industry expertise will complement the experience and skills of our leadership team as we continue to grow and strengthen our brand.”

Bojorquez’s experience at RBI included four years as head of Asia-Pacific operations for Burger King, Popeyes, Tim Hortons, and Firehouse Subs. Before that, Bojorquez served as the head of marketing for Burger King Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Before joining RBI, Mario was a restaurant entrepreneur, co-founding a sandwich concept in Miami.

“I am honored to be joining an iconic brand with a rich legacy of serving handmade, freshly prepared, quality products. I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to work with [Karam] and the team to help continue growing Sbarro by supporting our company operators and franchisees and bringing the best food to our guests; every shift, every day,” Bojorquez said in a statement. “Despite already being the leader in the impulse pizza category, there is a tremendous space to continue scaling our footprint, and I am looking forward to accelerating our restaurant development, supporting our operations, and strengthening our brand.”

Sbarro has opened over 200 restaurants in the past two years and plans to open more than 100 net new restaurants in 2024. Most of those units will be outside malls and airports since the brand has been expanding its reach to venues like convenience stores, travel centers, universities, military bases, hospitals, and casinos.

About the Author

Holly Petre

Assistant Digital Editor

Holly Petre is a digital editor for Nation’s Restaurant News as well as the host of NRN’s podcast, Extra Serving, and producer for Informa Restaurant and Food Group’s other three podcasts, One On One by Food Management, Off the Shelf with SN and In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn. Holly holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Sculpture, fibers and Material Studies and Ceramics from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A native New Yorker, Holly enjoys her place on staff as the resident pop-culture expert and millennial with a sassy attitude and great sense of style.

Holly Petre’s work on Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality often covers marketing and trends, either aimed-at or examined-through the millennial mindset. Holly is responsible for introducing TikTok and Twitch to NRN and RH readers as well as explaining terms like “Karen” to staff and readers alike. She also spends her time on staff trying not to make every headline a pun.

Holly Petre hasn’t spoken at any events or on panels, but she is readily available with a killer shoe wardrobe and several witty quips.

 

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