Little Caesars has promoted two executives. Paula Vissing, formerly chief operating officer, now serves as president of Little Caesars global retail. The pizza chain also promoted Ed Gleich from his role of chief innovation officer to president of global services.
Vissing joined Little Caesars in 2011 as vice president of purchasing and quality assurance. She was then promoted to senior vice president of international where she was responsible for all Little Caesars locations in more than two dozen countries and territories. Vissing brings more than 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry to the company. In the new role she will continue to oversee restaurants globally and will now oversee global marketing and development.
Gleich also joined the company in 2011, as head of marketing. In the role he promoted limited time offerings including the Bacon Wrapped DEEP! DEEP! Dish pizza. He also helped the company launch its new brand identity and oversaw the development of the core menu. In the new role, he will oversee U.S and international supply chain, bakery operations, equipment, restaurant design evolution and automation/engineering.
Chuck Ocarz is retiring as Wendy’s division president with franchisee Hamra Enterprises. Ocarz began his career with Wendy’s in 1976 and worked for Hamra for 28 years. Ocarz held various operations roles for the company in Dublin, Toledo, Ohio, Chicago and Asia, where he oversaw 115 Wendy’s locations. During his time at the company, he established a training department for the Wendy’s Division in each region. He also recruited and mentored regional directors of operations for each market in Missouri, New England and Illinois.
Richard Lenny is retiring from the McDonald’s Board of Directors, effective Oct. 31. Lenny has served as the Chair of Compensation Committee since 2019 and joined the Board in 2005. In his chairman role, he helped oversee the evolution of the company’s executive compensation program. He is also a founding member of McDonald’s Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Committee. Lenny also serves on the Boards of Conagra Brands and Illinois Tool Works.
Cracker Barrell said Jennifer Tate will step down as CMO and SVP at the end of the week.
Gerry Fernandez will retire from the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance on Dec. 31. But he will continue to serve the organization in an advisory capacity.
Also, this week, Sweetgreen has hired two former Chipotle executives. Chad Brauze joins the company as head of culinary, and Michael Kotick joins as head of marketing.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.