News

Wendy's names new CMO, digital VP

December 18, 2014

The Wendy's Company has announced several changes to its senior leadership team, including a new CMO and a VP to head up digital initiatives.

According to a news release, the changes were made to drive growth. They include:

• Todd Penegor, SVP and CFO, has been promoted to EVP, CFO and International. Penegor will maintain his existing responsibilities for finance, development and IT, and will also take on additional oversight of the company's International division, in partnership with International President, Darrell van Ligten. Additionally, he will oversee an increasing focus on restaurant development and growth enabled by technology.
• Bob Wright, COO, has also been promoted to EVP, COO, maintaining his existing responsibilities for company and franchise restaurant operations and taking on a larger portfolio of customer-facing responsibilities, including in-restaurant technology, restaurant facilities and the continuous improvement of the customer service experience. He has been tasked with redefining the customer experience at Wendy's, the release said.

"Since joining The Wendy's Company last year, Todd and Bob have made extraordinary contributions to the company and our franchisees," CEO Emil Brolick said in the release. "As we continue the transformation of the Wendy's brand, the board of directors and I have the highest confidence that Todd's and Bob's elevated leadership roles will spur even greater growth and performance."

• Abigail Pringle has been promoted to chief development officer. She previously served as SVP of Restaurant Development and Growth Initiatives and has led the company's Image Activation efforts. She will continue to report to Penegor.  
• Brandon Rhoten has been elevated to VP, Digital Experience. He is tasked with accelerating the development of consumer-facing technology in areas such as mobile ordering and payment, customer loyalty and brand engagement.

"Wendy's brand relevance and future growth will depend on increasing consumer access to the brand through restaurant development, and will be enabled by consumer-preferred technology investments," Brolick said.

Marketing changes

Finally, CMO Craig Bahner, who came on board in 2012 from Procter & Gamble, is stepping down. Bahner oversaw initiatives such as the brand's Pretzel Burger launch and #PretzelLoveSongs campaign, as well the testing and initial launch of a handful of mobile initiatives.

Taking over the role is Brandon Solano, who most recently served as SVP, Marketing, and joined Wendy's in July 2014. Prior to his move to the QSR chain, he served in a senior marketing position with Domino's Pizza when the company went through its recipe overhaul.

"In (Solano's) short tenure with Wendy's, he has already made an enormous positive impact on our brand and with our franchisees. His wealth of experience spans marketing, menu innovation, and restaurant development with leading restaurant and consumer goods brands, and I look forward to his leadership and partnership to grow the Wendy's brand in the future," Brolick said.