Subway taps new CIO from Land O’ LakesSubway taps new CIO from Land O’ Lakes

Subway has named a former Land O’ Lakes Inc. executive as the chain’s new chief information officer.

As CIO, Mike Macrie will oversee the company’s technology initiatives and global teams to ensure delivery of modern, timely and effective platforms, the Milford, Conn.-based sandwich chain announced Monday afternoon.

“I am very excited to join such an iconic and evolving brand,” Macrie (left) said in a prepared statement. “The Subway brand is at an amazing crossroads and I am happy to be part of the leadership team driving innovation for our consumers and business owners.”

Macrie formerly served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Land O’ Lakes. While at Land O’Lakes, he “successfully led a transformational and digital effort that modernized the corporation’s core applications and made significant industry-leading investments in advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital marketing,” Subway said.

The brand, which is 100% franchised, has about 42,400 restaurants in more than 100 countries. Of those, nearly 24,800 units are in the U.S.

Over the past year, the company has fallen behind its rivals when it comes to digital innovation. In October, the company finally launched delivery from 9,000 Subway restaurants in the U.S. through partnerships with the main third-party delivery operators.

The chain has been focused, instead, in recent months in revamping stores and improving its menu with initiatives such as Fresh Now, Fresh Forward and Fresh Start.

It also recently partnered with food media brand Tastemade on a new sandwich collaboration. The “inspired by Tastemade” sandwich, The Green Goddess Tuna Melt, is being tested in more than 3,000 restaurants in St. Louis, Raleigh, N.C., Washington D.C., Norfolk, Va. and multiple area of California, Subway said. It is available through April 24.

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