Staffing

Jack in the Box names former Mooyah president to COO post

Tony Darden steps into the COO's role at Jack in the Box in June. (Provided)

May 18, 2021

Former Mooyah Burgers President Tony Darden has been named COO and senior vice president at Jack in the Box Inc., and brings more than 25 years experience in multi-unit, quick-service restaurant operations, according to a press release.

Darden served as Mooyah president for the past two years and was previously COO at Taco Bueno and Sun Holdings, which has more than 1,000 Burger King, Popeyes, Krispy Kreme and Arby's stores in its portfolio. Additionally, Darden held operations leadership roles at Panera Bread and Metromedia Restaurant Group/Bennigan's.

"I've known Tony professionally through the years and I know he is the right person to lead operations at Jack in the Box by partnering with our franchisees to focus on operations excellence and restaurant profits," Jack in the Box CEO Darin Harris said in the release. "He cares deeply about people, franchisee success and giving our guests a consistent brand experience."

Darden begins his role on June 7 and will be the fifth executive named to the brand's c-suite since Harris assumed the CEO post last year.

"I look forward to building strong relationships with our corporate team members and franchisees to drive Jack's long-term growth initiatives," Darden said in the release. "Jack's future success will be a function of enabling our franchisees in delivering exceptional guest experiences that enhance brand loyalty and accelerate their growth."

The company last week reported strong Q2 earnings and revenue, which included total revenue growth of 19% over Q2 2020 and 20.6% growth in system same-store sales. Based in San Diego, Jack in the Box has more than 2,200 stores in 21 states and Guam.