Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. announced today the promotion of several key executives and the company's new leadership team following the completion of the merger between Triarc Companies, Inc. and Wendy's, and the formation of Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc. (NYSE: WEN).
In making the announcement, Wendy's/Arby's Group's President and CEO Roland Smith commented, 'This is an outstanding group of professionals with a vast knowledge of the fast food industry and a long, proven history with Arby's. I am confident in their ability to continue to lead the Arby's brand as one of the most unique and innovative quick service restaurant chains in the industry.'
The following executives have been promoted:
Tom Garrett added the role of Chief Executive Officer to become Arby's President and CEO. Garrett has served as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Arby's since June 2006 and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Triarc since September 1, 2007. Garrett was appointed Arby's Chief Operating Officer in July 2005 following Triarc's acquisition of the RTM Restaurant Group (RTM), Arby's then largest franchisee. Prior, he was the President of RTM, where he held various leadership positions. Garrett joined Arby's more than 28 years ago.
Michael Lippert has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. He has served as Senior Vice President of Operations for the brand since July 2005. Lippert joined Arby's in 1993 as Director of Operations for RTM. Since then, he has held positions of increasing responsibility including Vice President of Operations for RTM's Atlantic Coast Region followed by Senior Vice President of Operations for RTM's South Region.
John Dasis has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Dasis started his Arby's career in 1986 as a staff accountant for RTM's South Region. In 1997, he was named a corporate controller. For the past 11 years, Dasis has held various financial leadership positions, including Region Controller, Vice President Region Controller and most recently, Vice President Operations Controller.
Michael Abt has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Company Operations. Most recently, he was President of Arby's South Region. Abt was hired by RTM in 1993 as an Area Supervisor in Atlanta and was promoted to Director of Operations for this same market two years later. In 1997, he held the position of Vice President of Operations in Florida following RTM's acquisition of 354 newly acquired Arby's restaurants.
The following executives complete Arby's executive team:
Melissa Strait, Senior Vice President, HR, Training & Development
John Gray, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications & Public Relations
John Todd, Chief Development Officer
'This team of industry veterans has tremendous depth and a long-standing history with the brand - together we represent more than 140 years of Arby's experience,' said Garrett. 'I am honored and proud to work alongside them as we lead Arby's during its next period of growth.'
Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc., based in Atlanta, is the second largest restaurant franchising system in the sandwich segment of the quick service restaurant industry. As of June 29, 2008, there were a total of 3,719 Arby's restaurants in the system, including 1,169 Company-owned and 2,550 franchised locations.
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