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Wingstop names first VP international opsWingstop names first VP international ops

Ted Leovich will help the chain expand globally

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

April 19, 2013

1 Min Read
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Wingstop Restaurants Inc. has appointed Ted Leovich to the newly created position of vice president of international operations.

Leovich most recently was president of Global Brand Consulting LLC, which he founded, and has served as vice president of franchise development for Romacorp Inc., the parent to the Tony Roma’s chain.

“We are primed to tremendously increase our international presence in the coming years,” said Dave Vernon, chief development officer for Richardson, Texas-based Wingstop, in a statement.

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“We knew the time was right to create a position specifically designed to spearhead our international growth,” Vernon added. “And with his extensive experience, Ted is the perfect fit.”

Leovich had worked as a consultant with Brinker International, Darden Restaurant Group and Ruth’s Chris Steak House in such regions as the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, the company said.

Wingstop recently signed a 50-unit master development agreement in Russia and a 20-unit agreement for Singapore. Wingstop has 18 restaurants and three under development in Mexico under a master agreement that calls for 120 locations there.

Wingstop, a division of Atlanta-based private-equity firm Roark Capital Group, has more than 560 quick-service chicken restaurants in the United States and Mexico.

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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