Wahlburgers has named industry veteran John Fuller as its new president and CEO, the chain announced Thursday.
Fuller previously served as president and CEO of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Before that, he was the CFO and then president and CEO of Johnny Rockets. He has also held executive posts at Rubio’s, Carl’s Jr. and Del Taco.
Boston-based burger concept Wahlburgers has 37 units in North America, Europe and the U.K.
“As our company continues to expand here in the U.S. and across the globe, John’s experience and insight into the restaurant business on an international scale will be extremely valuable in ensuring that we set ourselves up for long-term success,” co-owner Mark Wahlberg said in a statement.
Patrick Renna has served as the brand’s president and CFO for two years and will now focus full-time on his finance role. Renna took over for Rick Vanzura, who resigned from Wahlburgers to become interim CEO at GameStop. Vanzura is currently the CEO of container farming company Freight Farms, according to his LinkedIn profile.
“Having watched from afar, and now joining the Wahlburgers team, I look forward to helping take such a well-positioned and popular brand to the next level,” Fuller said in a statement. “I’m ready to hit the ground running with our operators and support staff and focusing on the company’s overall growth, expansion and opportunities as our industry begins to resurge and carve the path towards our new normal.”
The burger chain was founded by celebrity brothers Paul, Donnie and Mark and got a publicity boost from a reality TV show of the same name.
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