Auntie Anne's

Leadership

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

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

Leadership

Focus Brands reorganizes its leadership team

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.

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

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

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.

Focus Brands, which also owns Jamba, McAlister’s Deli and several other brands, is offering relief pay and deferring or waiving franchisees’ fees.

The operator of Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon and other concepts named the former Hilton executive to replace the retiring Steve DeSutter.

A roundup of recent winter beverage items launched at chain restaurants.

Here are the teams that finished tops last week in the 50-state competition.

The national ProStart competition gives aspiring industry stars a chance to get their careers rolling.

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