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Pei Wei names Brandon Solano CMOPei Wei names Brandon Solano CMO

Former Papa Murphy’s marketing executive joins fast-casual chain

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

May 31, 2017

1 Min Read
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Pei Wei has named Brandon Solano chief marketing officer, the company said Wednesday.

Solano most recently served as CMO for Vancouver, Wash.-based Papa Murphy’s Holdings Inc. He succeeds Clay Dover, who left the fast-casual chain in March to become president of Dallas-based Velvet Taco.

BrandonSolano200.jpgIn addition to Papa Murphy’s, Solano (left) has served in senior leadership roles at Wendy's and Domino's Pizza. He was also involved in marketing consumer brands like Hershey's, Kellogg's and Proctor & Gamble.

“Brandon will be a key asset to the Pei Wei leadership team as we continue to build and deliver on our brand promise,” said Pei Wei CEO John Hedrick in a statement.

Solano said: “As a foodie, I love the brand and appreciate the unique space that Pei Wei occupies in the fast-casual industry, particularly when it comes to Pei Wei's dedication to quality food and handcrafted care."

Pei Wei is a division of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc. Pei Wei owns and operates more than 200 restaurants in 21 states.

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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