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Papa John’s names former Taco Bell executive Amanda Clark as chief development officerPapa John’s names former Taco Bell executive Amanda Clark as chief development officer

Amanda Clark is replacing former chief development officer, Timothy O'Hern, who retired in 2018

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

February 18, 2020

2 Min Read
papa johns new chief development officer
Amanda Clark joins the Papa john's executive team.Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Papa John’s International Inc. has appointed former Taco Bell executive vice president Amanda Clark as the pizza company’s new chief development officer, replacing Timothy O’Hern, who left the company in 2018 in the middle of the scandal involving founder and ex-CEO John Schnatter.

In her new position, Clark will be in charge of expanding the Papa John’s restaurant footprint, overseeing franchise development and sales, building design and new concepts, and providing support to existing restaurants.

“Amanda is a passionate leader with a proven track record of driving growth at one of the restaurant industry’s biggest success stories over the past 10 years,” said Papa John’s president and CEO Rob Lynch in a statement. “I had the pleasure of working with Amanda during my time at both Procter & Gamble and Taco Bell, and I’m thrilled to welcome her to Papa John’s. Her energy, ideas and expertise will help us to achieve our goal of driving continued net unit growth through expansion in both the US and around the world.”

Papa_johns-amanda-clark.gifPrior to joining Papa John’s, Clark, left, worked at Taco Bell for seven years, where she held various positions, including executive vice president of restaurant experience and head of North America marketing. Before that, she worked for Procter & Gamble.

Related:Papa John’s debuts Shaquille O’Neal-approved flatbread sandwich, ‘Papadia’

“I believe Papa John’s is on a path to be one of the great brand turnaround stories, and I’m excited to a be a part of it,” Clark said in a statement. “I’m passionate about helping companies grow. Continuing to open more units is one of the key metrics that define the health of a restaurant brand. I’m looking forward to working with Rob and the leaders of Papa John’s to write the next chapter in the company’s history.”

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected] 

Follow her on Twitter: @joannafantozzi

 

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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