The former chief development officer of Roll-Em-Up Taquitos, Chris Wyland, is now CEO of Cookie Plug. Both brands are under the umbrella of Bomb AF Brands, which Wyland co-created in early 2022.
“On the Roll-Em-Up side, the development was so successful that really the emphasis moving forward needs to be operations, building training systems and getting stores open, versus getting people into the system,” Wyland said.
As of November, Roll-Em-Up had seven stores open with deals signed for hundreds of units. “We all collectively agreed that it would be a good idea for me to really spend more of my time on the Cookie Plug side, and that’s when I took the role of chief executive officer.”
Wyland has more than two decades of experience in franchising, working for brands such as Slim Chickens and Capriotti’s Sandwich Shops.
Wyland’s goals for Cookie Plug are hefty ones. While he doesn’t like to set numerical targets, he aims for 300 units open by 2026, and he’s planning to move internationally in 2023. The cookie franchise had 25 stores open in November.
Chris Wyland
“Goals are kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy,” Wyland said. “We don’t always like to put numbers other there, because when you reach those numbers, a lot of people become complacent.”
Bomb AF partners with real estate teams to help franchisees find quality sites for their units, Wyland said. He’s emphasized infrastructure improvements, like a uniform training program for franchisees and their staff, as well as a platform that integrates payroll and accounting, and “everything that you need to take a franchisee from just signing, onboarding, all the way through to opening.”
Cookie dough is prepared in a central location and delivered to each store, so there’s no in-store prep necessary beyond baking the cookies.
“We’re able to use a smaller footprint, with quicker built-out times and less equipment,” Wyland said. “That’s our benefit when it comes to return on investment.”
When it comes to his favorite cookie, Wyland said he can’t beat the “OG,” which is the brand’s chocolate chip cookie. “I always judge a cookie place based on the chocolate chip cookie and our chocolate chip cookie is the best in the country,” he said. “It’s amazing.”
Executive Ladder
Jason Anderson, president of Coworks and chief strategy officer of United Franchise Group, added the role of president of Office Evolution.
Cookie Plug promoted Chris Wyland from chief development officer to chief executive officer.
Jack in the Box promoted Chad Gretzema to brand president of Del Taco, replacing John Cappasola. Cappasola departed Del Taco in June 2022 to become CEO of Nothing Bundt Cakes.
Planet Fitness promoted Jamie Medeiros to the newly-created role of chief brand officer.
Chem-Dry hired Ann Norman as director of coaching.
ATC Healthcare appointed Scott Gultz as chief information officer and Janice Pizczatowski as controller.
Donatos Pizza named Kevin King as president and Jodie Conrad as chief marketing officer.
Panera Brands appointed Konrad Meyer as chief financial officer. Mark Wooldridge, senior vice president, controller and chief accounting officer, will also add the responsibilities of Panera Bread chief financial officer.
Capital Tacos named Joel Bulger the brand’s first chief marketing officer.
Tanishia Beacham
Craig Murray joined Lightbridge Academy as chief development officer.
Culver’s hired Jim Esposito, former chief operating officer at BurgerFi, as its new COO.
Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill hired Nico Nieto as chief marketing officer.
McDonald’s named Jon Banner global chief impact officer.
Focus Brands promoted Shelley Harris to restaurant category president and hired William Armstrong as Schlotzsky’s chief brand officer.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers named Brian Wise as chief operating officer and Jerry Kunz as vice president of finance.
Big Chicken, owned by Shaquille O’Neal, appointed Michael Fontes as vice president of construction, Brian Cochran as director of operations and Stephanie Bitters as business controller.
Mexican Restaurants Inc.—which operates and franchises restaurants including Casa Olé, Monterey’s Little Mexico, Überrito Fresh Mex, Tortuga Mexican Kitchen and Crazy Jose’s—promoted Enrique Herrera to vice president of operations and Crystina Bukrinsky to vice president of training.
SPB Hospitality, franchisor of Logan’s Roadhouse, Old Chicago and others, named Josh Kern as interim CEO. It also promoted Lisa Lee to senior vice president of marketing and Ian Dodson to senior vice president of culinary and beverage.
Former 7-Eleven COO Christopher Tanco joined Princeton Equity Group as operating partner.
Scott Marshall joined Zunzi’s as director of beverage for its sister-bar concept, Zunzibar.
Transblue hired Chris Lambert as the vice president of sales and Larry Hyatt as the national accounts manager.
Lou Beccarelli
Prism Specialties added Denise Lysak and Andrea Evans as managers to its national account team, plus appointed Jeff Milligan as the company’s vice president of business development and customer engagement.
Horsepower Brands promoted Christopher Phalen to vice president of franchise development.
Re-Bath announced Tina Thousand as chief technology officer.
Purvelo Cycle, an upstart indoor cycling studio, named Allison Zorich as president.
Following its acquisition of Keke’s Breakfast Café, Denny’s named David Schmidt president of Keke’s and named John Dillon as president of its Denny’s business.
Hyatt Hotels named Eben Hewitt as chief information officer.
WOWorks appointed Cole Thompson to the newly created role of vice president of culinary for Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh, The Simple Greek, Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina.
Bojangles appointed Patricia Halpin as vice president of growth.
Orangetheory Fitness appointed Jason Dunlop as president of international and Kelly Lohr as chief marketing officer.
Code Ninjas added Barry Gibson as the new VP of finance and Mike Mercado as the new VP of operations.
Former Tijuana Flats CEO Brian Wright joined 70-unit Bar Louie as its new CEO.
Jeremy Wassinger joined Footprints Floors as director of communications.
Dairy Queen hired Nicolas Boudet to run global business as the brand’s international chief operating officer.
Joel Bulger
Krystal appointed Casey Terrell as CMO.
Everbowl, an acai bowl and smoothie chain, named Trevor Sacco as its brand president.
Inspire Brands promoted John Kelly to chief company restaurant officer, Tanishia Beacham to Sonic brand chief operating officer and Lou Beccarelli to Arby’s brand chief operating officer.
Metal Supermarkets and FlannelJax parent company Metal Supermarkets Family of Companies appointed Paul O’Regan as director of learning and development.
Healthcare staffing franchise ATC Healthcare hired Scott Nichols to be vice president of franchise development.
Mario Centola was appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer at Chuck E. Cheese Entertainment.
Batteries Plus promoted Joe Malmuth to chief franchising officer. The brand also promoted Vic Daher to vice president of franchise development, and Brandon Mangual to managing director of franchise development.
The Coalition of Franchisee Associations named Amy Mancuso as the organization’s new association general manager.
Saxton & Stump added two attorneys to its Franchising, Licensing and Distribution Group, including John Goldschmidt Jr., who is now senior counsel at the firm, and Bianca Basilone, an associate at the firm.
Bethany Appleby and Kristin Corcoran, co-founders of Appleby & Corcoran, joined DLA Piper’s franchise practice.
Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Titus Center for Franchising welcomed three new advisory board members: Richard Davies, Brian Maciak and Patrick Perot McGee.
Spadea Lignana promoted five partners to its team of franchise attorneys: Stephanie Grobler, Will Jameson, Matt Wizmur, Andrew Matson and Cameron McKinley.
Law firm Buchalter added Thomas M. O’Connell as shareholder and chair of the franchise law group in San Diego, Jennifer Misetich as shareholder in the firm’s Los Angeles office and Natalie Bryans in Los Angeles.
International Franchise Professionals Group appointed Mike Handy as vice president of business development.
Send promotions and new hire news in franchising to Emilee Wentland, [email protected].