SAN DIEGO Jack in the Box Inc. said Monday that Leonard Comma will be promoted to senior vice president and chief operating officer for the company’s namesake chain in February, after current president and chief operating officer Paul Schultz retires in January.
Linda Lang, Jack in the Box chair and chief executive, will take on the role of president once Schultz retires.
As COO, Comma will oversee operations for all 2,200 corporate or franchised Jack in the Box units. He joined the company in 2001 as director of Convenience-Store and Fuel Operations for what was then the company’s Quick Stuff convenience store chain, which was sold earlier this year.
“Lenny has extensive experience in restaurant and retail operations, including franchising, and has excelled in the diverse roles he’s held at Jack in the Box,” said Lang. “In his current position, he has been instrumental in improving the cost structure of our field operations and has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the successful execution of other key strategic initiatives. We’re looking forward to his continued contributions as we expand Jack in the Box and transform our business model to be predominantly franchised.”
Jack in the Box also announced Monday that Elana Hobson, currently division vice president of operations initiatives, will succeed Comma as vice president of operations.
Hobson joined the company in 1977 as a team member at a restaurant in Hayward, Calif., and climbed the ranks through store-level management, regional vice president, and division vice president.
Jack in the Box operates or franchises its namesake restaurants in 18 states, as well as about 500 Qdoba Mexican Grill units in 42 states and the District of Columbia.
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].