Operations

Long John Silver's reports positive sales growth, new leadership

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March 8, 2022

Long John Silver's is reporting positive sales growth, partially due to new leadership, according to a press release.

The brand reported a sixth consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth, while also posting record-breaking AUVs in 2021. Over the course of the last two years (2020 and 2021) the company grew total system sales by 2.5% year-over-year.

Company leadership attributes the brand's success to: improving speed and accuracy through the drive-thru; adding sales layers with delivery and online ordering for pick-up and capitalizing on core menu items and the return of fan favorites to the menu.

Last October, Long John Silver's announced plans to expand into Indonesia with upwards of 50 restaurants, adding to its 24 restaurants in Singapore and International interest in Long John Silver's continues to grow.

"It's really an exciting time for Long John Silver's, and we must ensure the right infrastructure is in place to continue our brand's strong momentum, support our key strategic investments and expand globally," Blain Shortreed, CEO of Long John Silver's, said in the release.

Several personnel changes have led to the company's success, including the promotion of Stephanie Mattingly, former Long John Silver's chief marketing officer, who was promoted to president of the brand's operating company. The operating company represents a large portion of the overall Long John Silver's system and currently operates 220 out of nearly 700 U.S. restaurants and currently employing about 2,800 people.

"The operating company is coming off its best performance in years, hitting record-breaking AUVs and profitability," Mattingly said in the release. "I am excited to build on this momentum, help create a world-class restaurant operating culture and support our awesome restaurant crews."

Christopher Caudill was promoted to senior vice president, marketing and innovation. Caudill's s focus will be on building a robust pipeline of products and advancing Long John Silver's mobile ordering and loyalty programs.

Tom Burress has been promoted to senior vice president, franchise operations and development. Burress will continue working to elevate the training and operations capability across the Long John Silver's franchise system, while at the same time, expanding that system internationally.

"Our success has been built by growing our people, re-investing in our restaurants and on elevating the drive-thru customer experience," Shortreed said in the release. "Our long-term growth strategy is driven by improving our basic execution in order to increase our domestic AUV's and finding franchisees that can grow our presence around the world."

Long John Silver's operates nearly 700 restaurants nationwide.