Company hires David Mesa to succeed Boylan as chief development officer
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Ballard Brands LLC has promoted Peter J. Boylan III to the new position of president for the multi-concept restaurant operator, the company announced this week.
Covington, La.-based Ballard, parent to WOW Café: American Grill & Wingery and PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans brands, said Boylan, who had been chief development officer for the company, would be succeeded by David Mesa in that role.
Mesa most recently was president of franchise operations at Planet Beach Franchising Corp., where he worked for 13 years.
Ballard operates 65 Wow Cafes, 85 PJ’s as well as two each of The Original City Diner and Boardhouse Serious Sandwiches.
David Mesa, Ballard Brands chief development officer. Photo: Ballard Brands
“Ballard Brands is experiencing tremendous growth through company expansion, new product development and brand innovation,” Boylan said in a statement. “I’m honored to serve as president and lead our company during this monumental time.”
Boylan joined Ballard Brands in 2009 as a member of the company’s board of advisers and assumed the chief development officer position in 2011.
Prior to Ballard Brands, Boylan held senior executive positions at Honeywell Inc. and the Coca-Cola Co.
Prior to joining Planet Beach, Mesa served eight years as director of business operations for the Allegis Group, a staffing company.
In addition to restaurants, Ballard Brands operates the wholesale brand New Orleans Roast coffee, which is sold in retail groceries and other locations. The company bought PJ’s Coffee from Raving Brands Inc. of Atlanta in June 2008.
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