Applebee’s Names Jay Wong COO

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar has named Jerrold (Jay) Wong its chief operations officer, effective September 15.

Wong brings leadership experience from across the hospitality industry, having scaled global teams and led transformations at brands such as Four Seasons, Starwood/Marriott Hotels and Exclusive Resorts.

In his new role, Wong will focus on driving consistency, accelerating growth and working closely with his team and franchisees to elevate restaurant performance and deliver a seamless guest experience across the system.

Applebee’s also named Michelle Chin as chief marketing officer. Both appointments build on recent momentum at the brand, which reported an increase in traffic and sales in Q2, a release states.

Part of Dine Brands Global, Applebee’s has more than 1,500 restaurants in the U.S., two U.S. territories and 15 countries outside the U.S. It also has nearly 60 company-owned restaurants and several ghost kitchens. IHOP and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop also are part of Dine Brands.