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Arby's turnaround chief named Papa John's CEO

Papa John's said today that its CEO for the past 19 months, Steve Ritchie, is out and former Arby's President Rob Lynch is in.

Papa John's CEO Rob Lynch. (Photo provided)

August 27, 2019 by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Papa John's International Inc. today named former Arby's President Rob Lynch as the pizza brand's president and CEO, effective immediately. Lynch is credited with leading Arby's in its turnaround to profitability over the last five years, according to a press release. 

"I am thrilled to welcome Rob to Papa John's at this pivotal moment in the company's history," Papa John's Board Chair Jeff Smith said in the release. "His proven record transforming organizations and realizing the growth potential of differentiated brands is ideally suited for Papa John's as the company sets forth on its next chapter. 

"I would also like to thank Steve Ritchie for his steady leadership as CEO over the past 1 1/2 years. Papa John's is stronger today because of Steve's good work stabilizing the company, and our business continues to perform on plan. We are all grateful for his dedication and contribution to the company for more than 20 years and wish him success in the future."

At Papa John's, the brand said Lynch's priority is to focus the company and its franchisees on the brand's future potential. As proof of his ability to do that successfully, the brand pointed to Lynch's record in what it called "reigniting purpose-driven organizations, leading high-performing, collaborative teams and growing successful consumer brands." 

During his Arby's tenure, Lynch turned the brand into a QSR brand of choice, delivering 16 consecutive quarters of same-store sales growth and achieving record sales and profits for the brand last year.

"Papa John's has the most loved pizza in the industry, incredibly dedicated team members and franchisees that have proven their resilience and commitment, and a long history of innovation that puts the company at the front of where the food service industry is going," Lynch said in the release. "I look forward to building on these strengths, working with Papa John's team members, franchisees and business partners. I absolutely believe that Papa John's best days are ahead."

Lynch was named Arby's president in 2017, leading the brand's operations, marketing, culinary and development initiatives, as well as its digital transformation. He began with the brand in 2013, and created the "We Have the Meats" campaign. As president of the Arby's Franchisee Association since 2013, he has rebuilt strong franchisor/franchisee relations, driving the first new restaurant growth in 10 years.

He has also held leadership positions at Taco Bell, HJ Heinz Company, and Procter & Gamble and has 20 years combined experience in QSR and consumer packaged goods. 

Arby's, this morning, named Lynch's successor in former CMO at that brand, Jim Taylor, who today was named Arby's president. 

About S.A. Whitehead

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Pizza Marketplace and QSRweb editor Shelly Whitehead is a former newspaper and TV reporter with an affinity for telling stories about the people and innovative thinking behind great brands.