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Smoothie King names new CIOSmoothie King names new CIO

Chris Andrews joins brand from Pei Wei Asian Diner

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

May 28, 2019

1 Min Read
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Smoothie King Franchises Inc. has named Chris Andrews as chief information officer, the company said Tuesday.

Andrews, most recently CIO at Pei Wei Asian Diner, succeeds Adam Zeitsiff in the information technology role at the Dallas-based smoothie brand, a spokesperson said.

Andrews will oversee Smoothie King’s information technology strategy and develop the franchise group’s digital infrastructure.

Smoothie_King_CIO_Chris_Andrews_2019May (1).jpgPhoto: Smoothie King CIO Chris Andrews

Wan Kim, Smoothie King CEO, said in a statement that Andrews “brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in both IT and the restaurant industry, and his technical skills are second to none.”

Prior to joining Pei Wei two years ago, Andrews served in IT roles at On The Border Mexican Grill and CEC Entertainment Inc., parent to the Chuck E. Cheese’s brand.

Andrews becomes the third C-level executive to join Smoothie King’s leadership team this year. Earlier this spring, the company hired Rebecca Miller as its chief marketing officer and Thomas Kim as its chief financial officer.

Smoothie King was founded in 1973 in Kenner, La., and now has more than 1,000 locations in 34 states as well as several countries abroad.

For the 2018 fiscal year ended Dec. 31, Smoothie King reported $415.7 million in U.S. systemwide sales, up 10.4% from the Preceding Year, according to NRN Top 200 data. The company reported U.S. year-end systemwide unit count of 901 in the period, with 29 of those company-operated, for growth of 10.6% over the Preceding Year.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

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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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