Auntie Anne's

How Focus Brands plans to compete for the digital customer

Jim Holthouser, CEO of the owner of Cinnabon and Jamba, discusses how his company plans to take on aggregators to own the customer relationship.

Leadership

Heather Neary to leave Auntie Anne’s as parent Focus Brands overhauls management

Melissa Smith was named chief people officer for Focus; Kendall Ware was named chief brand officer of Carvel and Cinnabon; and Alisa Gmelich was named chief brand officer for Auntie Anne’s.

Leadership

Kat Cole to leave Cinnabon owner Focus Brands by the end of the year

By Jonathan Maze on Dec. 09, 2020

The executive’s departure comes amid a host of changes at the Atlanta-based brand operator.

Leadership

Focus Brands reorganizes its leadership team

Sep. 02, 2020

The company named Kristen Hartman president of its specialty brands, including Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon, while Erik Hess will oversee Moe’s, Schlotzsky’s and McAlister’s Deli.

Marketing

Auntie Anne's has a new mobile ordering platform

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 03, 2020

The chain hopes app ordering will reduce its dependence on shopping traffic.

Leadership

Focus Brands names Brian Krause chief development officer

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 13, 2020

He replaces Tim Muir, who was named chief sales officer at the parent company of Auntie Anne’s and Cinnabon.

Financing

Focus Brands CEO Jim Holthouser gets a tough introduction to restaurants

By Jonathan Maze on May 20, 2020

The former Hilton executive, who took the job two weeks before the pandemic hit, leans on his hotel experience, and sees parallels between the two industries.

Financing