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Wingstop names Doug Willmarth CMOWingstop names Doug Willmarth CMO

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

February 14, 2013

1 Min Read
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Wingstop Restaurants Inc. has named Doug Willmarth chief marketing officer, the company said Thursday.

Willmarth succeeds Andy Howard at the fast-casual chain.

Most recently, Willmarth served as chief marketing officer for Dallas-based Rave Cinemas. He has held senior marketing positions with Pizza Hut, Frito Lay, Brinker International and Kraft Foods.

“Doug has a proven track record of driving growth and building brands,” said Charlie Morrison, president and chief executive of Richardson, Texas-based Wingstop. “His leadership, world-class marketing experience and passion for the restaurant industry are the perfect fit for Wingstop.”

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The 550-unit chain, which reached nine consecutive years of same-store sales increases in December, opened 57 new restaurants in 2012.

Wingstop is a division of Atlanta-based private-equity firm Roark Capital Group.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: February 14, 2013 Because of an editing error, an earlier version of this article incorrectly characterized Wingstop as a casual-dining chain. It is a fast-casual chain.

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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