Potbelly has named Alan Johnson CEO of the fast-casual chain.
Johnson, who will also serve as the brand’s president and have a seat on its board of directors, previously served as CEO of BevMo, a boozy beverage retailer. In the past, he has held C-level positions for PepsiCo’s restaurant segment in Eastern Europe, and had been a planning director for Pizza Hut.
“We are pleased to welcome Alan to Potbelly and to the Board,” Pete Bassi, Potbelly’s chairman of the board, said in a statement. “Alan is a dynamic leader with a long and proven track record of successfully leading retail and restaurant brands.
Potbelly’s previous CEO, Aylwin Lewis, parted ways with the chain in May after nine years in the job. Chief Financial Officer Michael Coyne had since been serving as interim CEO.
The fast casual is in the midst of revamping its restaurants, with the reveal of its new design slated for next year. It pointed to Johnson’s experience with spearheading brand turnarounds in a press release announcing his new role.
Potbelly’s same-store sales at company-owned locations dipped 4.8% during the most recent quarter, with the brand reporting a net loss.