Leadership

Focus Brands and Domino's Pizza name new executives

Executive Summary: A roundup of high-level job changes in the restaurant business includes new hires for SBE.
Christopher McNutt,  Urvi Patel and Manuel Valdes
Christopher McNutt, Urvi Patel and Manuel Valdes. | Photos courtesy of Focus Brands

Executive Summary

Focus Brands named three new executives this week. The parent company of Auntie Anne’s, Carvel and other brands named Christopher McNutt to the role of SVP of supply chain, Urvi Patel to the role of SVP of customer engagement and experience and Manuel Valdes to the role of SVP of digital, data and marketing technology.

In his new role, McNutt will oversee supply chain distribution, logistics and quality assurance functions for brands under Focus Brands’ umbrella. McNutt brings over 20 years of experience in pricing, logistics and supply chain to the brand. Most recently, he has held senior leadership positions at Centralized Supply Chain Services LLC. He also serves as the treasurer on the National Restaurant Association Supply Chain Expert Exchange Board.

Patel joined Focus Brands in 2019 as the vice president of insights, analytics and revenue management. Before joining the company, she spent 10 years with InterContinental Hotels Group.

As SVP of digital, data and marketing technology, Valdes will lead technology strategy for Focus Brands’ digital and data platforms. Most recently, Valdes served as the chief technology officer of Central Group in Thailand.

Domino’s Pizza has promoted Sam Jackson to the role of executive vice president of human resources. Jackson joined Domino’s in 2018 as the vice president of human resources. Most recently, he served as vice president for the office of the CEO. Before joining Domino’s, Jackson held various roles across real estate, supply chain, store design and human resources at Target.

SBE, a lifestyle hospitality group led by Sam Nazarian, has named two new executives. The brand welcomed Justin Fowler as chief operating officer of Disruptive Restaurant Group, SBE’s subsidiary company. In addition, Anthony Meidenbauer joined the company as VP of development.

Fowler brings 30 years of experience to the role—most recently, he served as vice president of operational finance for Starr Restaurants. He has also held the role of vice president of operations for Jean Georges Management.

Meidenbauer brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to the role. Most recently, he served as vice president of food and beverage development for Tao Group Hospitality where he led new venue development.

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