FOCUS Brands Inc., parent company of Cinnabon Inc., has named Kat Cole president of the cinnamon roll bakery.
She replaces Gary Bales who will continue serving as president of Carvel, another FOCUS brand.
Cole has extensive foodservice experience. Prior to joining Cinnabon as chief operating officer just three months ago, she served as vice president of training and development for Hooters of America Inc.
In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) and the Certification Governing Board for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), Cole is a past chair of the Board of Directors for the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA).
She recently received the 2010 GRACE (Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence) Award for Distinguished Service. Cole received her MBA from Georgia State University.
“Since joining us only three months ago, Kat has made a tremendous impact on the Cinnabon brand, assessing and addressing key strategic opportunities while learning and leading the business,” said Russ Umphenour, CEO of FOCUS Brands. “Kat is a natural leader and a relationship-builder. She has spent a great deal of time in the field getting to know our franchise partners and their teams, as well as learning about their day-to-day needs and challenges.”
Founded in Seattle in 1985 and now based in Atlanta, Cinnabon Inc. has more than 770 locations worldwide.
