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Focus Brands names William Armstrong chief brand officer of Schlotzsky’sFocus Brands names William Armstrong chief brand officer of Schlotzsky’s

Armstrong will be joined by Shelley Harris, who will serve as restaurant category president

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

August 24, 2022

1 Min Read
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Joanna Fantozzi

Focus Brands announced Wednesday the appointment of two industry veterans to new roles: former Wendy’s head of international relations William Armstrong was named chief brand officer of Schlotzsky’s and Shelley Harris was promoted from Focus Brands’ senior vice president of restaurant category operations to restaurant category president.

“Having the opportunity to promote a strong leader like Shelley Harris to lead the restaurant category shows the bench strength we have within Focus Brands, and William Armstrong’s track record of operational excellence is invaluable as Schlotzsky’s continues to grow and enter new markets,” Jim Holthouser, CEO of Focus Brands said in a statement. 

William Armstrong has 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, and held leadership positions at both Yum Brands and McDonald’s before he worked at Wendy’s for almost two years as head of international operations, where he oversaw the operational strategy for all of Wendy’s international markets.

Shelley Harris has worked at Focus Brands in various capacities over the past six years, including vice president of operations at Cinnabon and McAlister’s Deli before she held her most recent position of senior vice president of operations for Focus Brands for the past nearly two years. Prior to joining the company, she spent nearly 13 years working in operations at Burger King.

“The success of our restaurant brands is imperative to the success of the company overall, and with these two leaders working alongside existing talent, I am incredibly confident in the future,” Holthouser continued.

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About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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