The Farmer Boys burger chain has appointed quick-service industry veteran Arlene Estrada Petokas as its new vice president and chief people officer.
Petokas has spent the last decade working in executive human resources positions at such quick-service brands as Del Taco and CKE Restaurant Holdings Inc., the parent of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s.
She started at Farmer Boys, which has 92 restaurants in California and Nevada, last month, replacing Tammy Johns who relocated to Idaho. When Johns started in March 2018, CPO was a new role for the Riverside, Calif.-based burger brand known for its all-day breakfast and locally-sourced ingredient menu.
Petokas (left) will be responsible for “developing and executing people strategies” that help drive performance needed to meet the brand’s operational goals, the company said.
Petokas most recently worked as vice president of human resources at BLD Brands, a Newport Beach, Calif.-based investment firm that operates Papa John’s and Hardee’s franchise restaurants.
Chief operating officer Karen Eadon said the chain was impressed with Petokas’ “extensive experience in human resources and the restaurant industry.”
“She’s managed and implemented successful HR practices at her previous organizations, and we look forward to having her on the Farmer Boys team to develop our business capabilities and lead our team members to function at their greatest level,” Eadon said in a statement.
Petokas said she is excited to join a brand that is committed to its employees.
“I look forward to helping nurture company culture and driving team member growth and development within the organization,” she said in a statement.
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