Sponsored By

Culver’s names Julie Fussner as company’s first-ever CMOCulver’s names Julie Fussner as company’s first-ever CMO

Fussner was promoted after five years as the Wisconsin-based quick-service restaurant brand’s vice president of marketing

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

January 4, 2023

1 Min Read
Nation's Restaurant News logo in a gray background | Nation's Restaurant News

Joanna Fantozzi

Wisconsin-based burger chain Culver’s announced Wednesday the promotion of Julie Fussner from vice president of marketing to chief marketing officer. As the quick-service brand’s first-ever CMO, Fussner will continue to oversee Culver’s footprint expansion after the brand opened 50 restaurants a year since 2019.

“I’m honored to have earned the trust and respect of my colleagues here at Culver’s and to be named our CMO,” Fussner said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to build the brand our guests across the country love so dearly.”

Fussner has been with Culver’s since 2017, bringing with her a few decades of experience in marketing, including leadership positions with the Kraft Foods’ Oscar Meyer brand. During her time with the brand, she has led the marketing team in areas like brand strategy, creative development, media planning, and communications. Fussner also led the marketing strategies with such fan-favorite hits as the 2021 LTO CurderBurger, and the launch of the new integrated marketing campaign in 2022.

Culver’s currently operates 900 locations in 26 states today.

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

Read more about:

Culver’s

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)

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.