CANTON, Mass. — Dunkin' Brands, parent company of Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, has announced that Nigel Travis has been appointed chief executive officer.
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| Nigel Travis, newly appointed CEO of Dunkin' Brands |
Travis, 58, announced last week that he was resigning as president and CEO of Papa John's, a pizza chain with annual system-wide sales of $2.1 billion and more than 3,300 restaurants throughout the United States and 29 international markets. Effective Jan. 6, 2009, he will assume the role from Jon Luther, who will remain executive chairman of the board.
Luther, 65, joined Dunkin' Brands in January 2003 as CEO and added the role of chairman in 2006. Luther has been working closely with Dunkin' Brands' board of directors since early 2008 to develop a succession plan and identify a new CEO.
Depth of experience
Travis joined Papa John's in 2005 as president and CEO. During his four-year tenure with the company, Papa John's online sales tripled through the innovative use of technology. In addition, Travis helped position the company's international business as a major growth platform and oversaw the successful rollout of several new products, including Papa's Pan Pizza.
Prior to Papa John's, Travis was with Blockbuster Inc., from 1994 to 2004, where he served in increasing roles of responsibility, including president and chief operating officer. Before that, he was with Burger King, first as senior vice president of human resources and later as managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
"In Nigel, Dunkin' Brands has found a leader with a proven track record of delivering extraordinary results," Luther said. "His wide-ranging achievements in retail and the foodservice industry will strengthen our overall senior leadership team, further enhancing our ability to execute our long-range strategic plans. Nigel's ability to develop strong franchisee networks, his understanding of the intensely competitive global marketplace, and his innovative, results-oriented style will build on the powerful momentum already in place at our Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins brands."
Travis will relocate to Massachusetts with his family.
