Leadership

Beto Guajardo named president of Focus Brands International

Tory Bartlett was named chief operating officer and brand lead of Schlotzsky’s
Schlotzsky’s Deli
Photograph: Shutterstock

Cinnabon owner Focus Brands on Tuesday named Beto Guajardo president of its international business.

The Atlanta-based brand operator also said Tory Bartlett will be the chief operating officer and brand leader for its sandwich chain Schlotzsky’s.

Guajardo had been Schlotzsky’s president since September and has worked for more than 25 years as a senior executive and management consultant. He most recently was senior vice president of global strategy for Starbucks.

He takes over for Mike Kehoe, who has left Atlanta-based Focus after five years.

Jim Holthouser, Focus’ CEO, said Guajardo in his short time at Schlotzsky’s “demonstrated exceptional strategic ingenuity in the transformation” of the brand.

Bartlett has more than two decades of operations and franchise executive leadership experience with Hooters, Tin Lizzy’s and Southern Proper Hospitality Group. He came to Schlotzsky’s one year ago, when he was named chief customer experience officer.

Both Guajardo and Bartlett “will raise the bar and enable the strategic capabilities that continue to drive expansion for our franchisees and brands,” Focus Brands President Kat Cole said in a statement.

Focus operates several chains, including Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Jamba, Moe’s Southwest Grill and McAlister’s Deli, in addition to Cinnabon and Schlotzsky’s.

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