ATLANTA Arby’s Restaurant Group Inc. has realigned its top management after becoming a sister operation to former rival Wendy’s International Inc., according to their mutual parent company, Wendy’s/Arby’s Group Inc.
Tom Garrett, president of Arby’s, was given the additional responsibility of chief executive of the chain. Those duties formerly were shouldered by Roland Smith, now CEO of both Wendy’s/Arby’s and the company’s Wendy’s business.
Michael Lippert was promoted to chief operating officer of Arby’s Restaurant Group, which runs 1,169 of the 3,719 stores in the Arby’s system. Garrett formerly held the COO title.
Lippert previously was senior vice president of operations. Like Garrett, he spent much of his time within the Arby’s system as an executive of RTM Restaurant Group, the chain’s largest franchisee until it was acquired in 2005 by the franchisor.
John Dasis, another RTM alumnus, has assumed the post of chief financial officer of Arby’s Restaurant Group, after serving in a number of financial positions for the brand.
Michael Abt, who also worked for RTM, was named senior vice president of company operations.
Wendy’s/Arby’s Group was formed last month when Triarc Cos. acquired Wendy’s International in a stock-swap originally valued at $2.34 billion. The company has not revalued the deal to reflect prevailing prices when the stock was actually being swapped.
Wendy’s/Arby’s operates or franchises some 10,344 quick-service restaurants. The company and its Arby’s business are based here. Wendy’s headquarters remain in Dublin, Ohio.