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Arby’s names Rob Lynch to new president roleArby’s names Rob Lynch to new president role

Brand promotes Jim Taylor to marketing chief

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

August 25, 2017

1 Min Read
Arby's
Dena Dendy

arbys-rob-lynch-president_0.gifArby’s Restaurant Group Inc. has named Rob Lynch (left) to the new role of president for the Arby’s concept and promoted Jim Taylor to chief marketing officer, the company announced Thursday.

The Atlanta-based quick-service brand said both leadership appointments were effective as of Monday.

Lynch had served as brand president and Arby’s chief marketing officer since September 2013. Prior to joining Arby’s, Lynch served as vice president of brand marketing for Taco Bell and held marketing roles at consumer goods companies Procter & Gamble and The HJ Heinz Co.

In the new president role, Lynch will oversee the brand’s marketing, operations and development functions. He will continue to serve as president of the Arby’s Franchise Association.

arbys-jim-taylor-cmo_0.gifTaylor (left) previously served as senior vice president of marketing. In the CMO role, the company said Taylor will lead research and development, new product innovation, brand marketing and positioning, advertising and media planning.

“Rob and Jim have already made a tremendous impact to our company,” said Paul Brown, Arby’s Restaurant Group CEO, in a statement, “and I’m excited to see them given the opportunity to amplify their contributions in their new leadership positions.”

Arby’s, owned by Atlanta-based Roark Capital Group, ranked No. 18 in the most recent Nation’s Restaurant News Top 100 census. For the fiscal year ended December 2016, the company booked about $3.7 billion in sales.

The brand has more than 3,300 restaurants worldwide.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

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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