Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Names President and COO for International

By: TGI Fridays | 0 Shares 351 Reads

CARROLLTON, Texas, Aug. 20 // PRNewswire // -- Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., parent company of T.G.I. Friday's® and Pick Up Stix® restaurants, today announced the promotion of John Neitzel to president and chief operating officer for International, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide.

"John brings a wealth of strategic experience to his new role," said Richard Snead, president and chief executive officer of Carlson Restaurants Worldwide. "His proven leadership skills coupled with his standards for operational excellence will provide John with the platform to be a successful leader of the international brand."

Neitzel, who will report to Snead, will be responsible for all aspects of the company's international business including operations and financial performance of nearly 300 restaurants in 54 countries. With 25 years of experience with the T.G.I. Friday's brand, Neitzel has held several leadership positions including vice president of strategic operations, vice president of operations, and most recently senior vice president of operations for T.G.I. Friday's USA.

Neitzel, who received his Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Texas in Austin, is involved in the MultiCultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance (MFHA), the Women's Foodservice Forum and is a former board member of the Texas Restaurant Association.

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., the parent company of TGI Friday's Inc., is a privately held company owned by Minneapolis-based Carlson, a world leader in the hospitality, travel and marketing industries. As of August 2007, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide owns, operates, franchises and licenses more than 1,000 restaurants in 54 countries including T.G.I. Friday's® and Pick Up Stix®.

SOURCE: Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc.

###