Global Franchise Group has promoted Annica Conrad to the position of chief marketing officer, the Atlanta-based company said Monday.
The franchisor of Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Pretzelmaker, Marble Slab Creamery and Round Table Pizza promoted Conrad from the position of executive vice president for brand marketing, a position she’d held since September of last year.
Conrad replaces Jenn Johnston, who last August was promoted to chief brand officer and president of franchise operations.
Johnston also had been interim CEO until Paul Damico took that position in April.
Conrad joined the company in 2018 as vice president of marketing and led the rebranding of Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery, as well as their co-branded locations, according to the release announcing her appointment. She also directed the task force that led brand and franchisee response to the COVID-19 crisis.
“Global Franchise Group is mission focused and the talent and commitment of our team is at an all-time high,” Damico said in the release. “We are building a shared service platform that will enable us to best champion our current and future brands. Our leadership team has the industry experience and know-how to get us there.”
The group also named a new vice president of culinary, Jason Dowd, and a vice president of creative services, Jon Gordon.
Annica Conrad, Jason Dowd, Jon Gordon.
Dowd most recently was head of global food & beverage and director of culinary innovation for the InterContinental Hotel Group, where he set up that group’s first test kitchen and F&B training center.
Before that, he was vice president of innovation and corporate executive chef of Moe’s Southwest Grill. He has held similar roles at Consumer Capital Partners, parent of Smashburger and Live Basil Pizza, and Olive Garden.
Gordon most recently was senior vice president and executive creative director at Focus Brands, working with Moe’s Southwest Grill, Schlotzsky’s, McAlister’s Deli, Carvel, Cinnabon and Jamba.
Global Franchise Group has more than, 1,400 franchised and company-owned restaurants.
It is owned by two private-equity partners, London-based Lion Capital LLP and Toronto-based Serruya Private Equity Inc.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected]
Follow him on Twitter: @foodwriterdiary