News

Jack in the Box names Denny’s exec as president

Jack in the Box Inc. today announced that Frances Allen will join the company as president of the Jack in the Box restaurant brand, effective Oct. 27.

September 4, 2014

Jack in the Box Inc. today announced that Frances Allen will join the company as president of the Jack in the Box restaurant brand, effective Oct. 27. According to a news release, Allen has more than 30 years of branding and marketing experience, including senior leadership roles at Denny’s, Dunkin’ Brands, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay.

“We’re excited that Frances has agreed to lead the Jack in the Box brand,” CEO Lenny Comma said in the release. “Frances is a proven leader whose management style will be a great fit with the Jack in the Box culture. She has extensive experience in strengthening the brand positioning of several major retail and foodservice brands, and I’m looking forward to her contributions at Jack in the Box.

Allen will leave her current position as EVP and chief brand officer at Denny’s Corporation to take the new role at Jack in the Box. She joined Denny’s in 2010 as EVP and CMO with responsibility for developing and executing marketing strategies across the brand. Allen was promoted to chief brand officer in 2013, overseeing product development, as well as non-traditional restaurant development, including locations at college campuses, airports and military installations.

From 2007 to 2009, Allen was CMO of Dunkin’ Brands and was responsible for category management, including price, packaging and promotion, for more than 6,000 Dunkin’ Donut stores in the U.S. From 2004 to 2007, Allen was VP of Marketing, North America at Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications.

When Allen joins Jack in the Box, Comma will relinquish the additional title of president that he’s held since May 2012, but he will continue serving as chairman and CEO of the company, positions he has held since January 2014.