A&W Restaurants Inc. has expanded the role of Paul Martino, chief operating officer, to include the president title and development of U.S. franchises, the company said Thursday.
The Lexington, Ky.-based quick-service brand said the president title was previously held by CEO Kevin Bazner, who remains in that position.
Martino has worked with A&W for more than two decades, joining the company first in 1991 and then returning to the brand when Yum Brands Inc. sold it to a franchisee group in 2011.
In his new role, Martino will continue to oversee A&W’s operations, marketing, information technology and restaurant support center, and adds responsibility for the brand’s U.S. franchise development duties.
“Since being acquired by our franchisees, A&W has opened more than 60 new U.S. restaurants,” Bazner said in a statement. “We are preparing to enter an era of accelerated growth, and Paul’s leadership will be critical to both attracting new franchise partners as well as supporting those currently in the system.”
Martino has been leading efforts to grow the brand’s sales.
“As COO, my focus has been on helping our franchise partners build profitable sales,” Martino said. “I’m very excited to now also be working to expand the A&W system.”
Late last year, A&W restructured its franchise development department, adding veteran sales executive Dave Crowley as director of franchise recruitment.
A&W celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. It was founded in Lodi, Calif., in 1919, after World War I.
The company now has about 1,000 restaurants, with more than 630 in the United States.
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