Wendy’s Tweaks Leadership For Digital, Global Growth

The Wendy’s Co. is intensifying its commitment to international restaurant development and digital technology and has made a number of executive shifts and title changes to address its new focus.

The 6,500-unit chain has promoted Abigail Pringle to chief development officer from senior v.p.- restaurant development and growth initiatives.

Brandon Solano, who joined Wendy’s as senior v.p.-marketing last July after leaving his post as v.p.-franchise development at Domino’s Pizza, will succeed Craig Bahner as chief marketing officer. Meanwhile, Todd Penegor, the Dublin, Ohio-chain’s senior v.p. and CFO, is now executive v.p./CFO-international; he will work with Wendy’s international president, Darrell van Ligten.

COO Bob Wright has added executive v.p. to his title; he is responsible for company and franchise restaurant operations as well as in-restaurant technologies and customer-service improvement.

Wendy’s also promoted Brandon Rhoten, v.p.-digital and social media, to v.p.-digital experience; he will lead the company’s digital marketing efforts.

“Wendy’s brand relevance and future growth will depend on increasing consumer access to the brand through restaurant development and will be enabled by consumer-preferred technology investments,” Wendy’s CEO Emil Brolick said in a statement.