Jack in the Box has named Denny’s executive Frances Allen president, effective Oct. 27, parent company Jack in the Box Inc. said Thursday.
Allen will leave her position as executive vice president and chief brand officer at Denny’s Corp. on Sept. 19.
At Jack in the Box, Allen will replace Lenny Comma as brand president. Comma held the title since May 2012 and was promoted in January to chairman and chief executive of the San Diego-based operator, which is also parent to Qdoba Mexican Grill.
Last year, the company named Tim Casey president of Qdoba.
“With Frances overseeing Jack in the Box and Tim Casey leading our Qdoba Mexican Grill brand, the senior leadership team at the company is set,” Comma said in a statement. “I have every confidence in our ability to continue effectively growing our brands and positioning Jack in the Box and Qdoba, as well as the overall enterprise, for continued success in the years ahead.”
Allen joined Denny’s in 2010 as executive vice president and chief marketing officer, and was promoted to chief brand officer in 2013.
From 2007 to 2009, she served as chief marketing officer for Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. and oversaw category management for more than 6,000 Dunkin’ Donuts locations in the U.S.
She also served as vice president of marketing, North America, for Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications from 2004 to 2007, and she held several positions at PepsiCo between 1998 and 2004, most recently as vice president of marketing.
Earlier experience includes stints as director of international advertising for Frito-Lay and at London-based ad agency D’Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles.
Comma said Allen “is a proven leader whose management style will be a great fit with the Jack in the Box culture. She has extensive experience in strengthening the brand positioning of several major retail and foodservice brands, and I’m looking forward to her contributions at Jack in the Box.”
Jack in the Box has more than 2,250 quick-service restaurants in 21 states. Qdoba operates and franchises more than 600 fast-casual restaurants in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.
Jack in the Box Inc. swung to a profit in its July 6-ended third quarter, reporting net income of $24.7 million, or 61 cents per share, compared with a loss of $5.7 million, or a loss of 12 cents per share, a year ago.
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