Focus Brands Reorganizes, Announces Promotions, New Hires

Focus Brands, parent company of Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky’s, announced several leadership promotions and hires.

Focus Brands has organized its brands into categories. In two newly created roles, Kristen Hartman has been promoted to President, Specialty Brands (Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, and Jamba), and Erik Hess has been promoted to President, Restaurant Brands (McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Schlotzsky’s).

Hartman, current president of Cinnabon and Carvel, joined Focus in 2012.  Hess, former president of Moe’s, came to the company in 2019 with more than 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, including key executive roles at McDonald’s globally, domestically, and internationally.

Beto Guajardo, former Starbucks executive, was promoted earlier this year from president of Schlotzsky’s to president of the International division.

Kat Cole, COO & President, Focus Brands, continues to oversee both the Restaurant and Specialty categories as well as the International and Licensing divisions.

Anissa Mandell has been promoted to SVP, Supply Chain, Focus Brands. Mandell steps into this role after serving as Vice President of Focus Brands Supply Chain and will oversee the strategic planning framework for Supply Chain, Distribution, Logistics and Quality Assurance functions.

Alex Williams has joined Moe’s Southwest Grill as Chief Brand Officer. Most recently, while Williams was at Bloomin’ Brands, he ran Outback Steakhouse in the Midwest region and served as Vice President of Operations for Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse nationally.