Wienerschnitzel Promotes Longtime Exec to COO

Irvine, Calif.-based Wienerschnitzel has promoted longtime company executive Rusty Bills to COO of Galardi Group, the parent company of the hot dog franchise, along with Tastee Freez and Hamburger Stand.

As COO, Bills will implement advancements in technology, including kitchen equipment innovations to improve back-of-house efficiencies, AI drive-thru advancements and alternate payment methods across the trio of brands. He also will spearhead cost savings and streamline operational efficiencies.

The company says the COO position was last held by now-President and CEO J.R. Galardi, who was promoted to his current role in February.

Bills has been with Galardi Group for 15 years, starting as a franchise business consultant for Wienerschnitzel’s franchisees in the Sacramento, Calif., area. He then served as manager of Tastee Freez before later being promoted to director of operations. In 2017, Bills became vice president of operations, serving as a liaison for all facets of the business.

Wienerschnitzel has nearly 350 franchised locations in 10 states, with more than 50 units in various stages of development across the U.S., says the company.