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Record Growth Propels Executive Team Expansion at Johnny Rockets

By: Johnny Rockets |  1,023 Shares     93 Reads

All-American Restaurant Franchise Promotes James Walker to President of Operations and Development

February 09, 2015 // Franchising.com // Aliso Viejo, Calif. – Johnny Rockets, an international restaurant franchise that offers food and fun reminiscent of modern Americana, announces the promotion of James Walker to President of Operations and Development. Formerly Johnny Rockets' Chief Development Officer, Walker was recently promoted because of his role in orchestrating the franchise's record growth and development since coming onboard a little more than a year ago.

"I am honored to be given the opportunity to become more involved with our current domestic and international franchise partners, as well as the many corporate team members in our system," explains Walker. "This new role enables me to be a more visible ambassador and further contribute to the brand's growth as we develop Johnny Rockets' latest innovations, Route 66, Express and Johnny Rockets at Home. These will certainly increase our footprint even broader in 2015."

Walker joined Johnny Rockets in December of 2013, and as the newly-appointed President of Operations and Development, will oversee the brand's development strategy, including construction, design and real estate, as well as domestic and international operations. Walker's specific skill sets include mergers and acquisitions, domestic and international development, operations, licensing, and research and development. Prior to joining Johnny Rockets, Walker held the CDO position at Beef 'O' Brady's and The Brass Tap.

Walker Announces Executive Hires to Operations and Development

To build his operations and development team, Walker has appointed Jim Hicks as Senior Vice President of Domestic Operations and Gene Savage as Director of Franchise Sales and Real Estate. Both Hicks and Savage will report directly to Walker.

A 30-year restaurant industry veteran, Jim Hicks joins Johnny Rockets with a broad range of leadership experience in operations and corporate support. An expert in franchise and corporate operations and training, Hicks was appointed SVP of Domestic Operations to improve quality, consistency and profitability of franchise and corporate restaurants in the U.S. Hicks comes to Johnny Rockets from Yoshinoya America, Inc., where he served as Vice President of Operations Services. He has also held recent operations roles in restaurant brands such as Fresh Enterprises, Inc. and El Pollo Loco.

With more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant and retail industries, Gene Savage joins Johnny Rockets as Director of Franchise Sales and Real Estate. As part of his role, Savage is responsible for franchise sales and development and real estate. Prior to joining Johnny Rockets, he held the position of Director of Franchise Sales and Real Estate for FSC Franchise Co. LLC., the franchisor of The Brass Tap and Beef 'O'Brady's. As an expert in franchise sales and development, Savage's extensive domestic experience spans a number of high-profile restaurant and franchise brands.

As the brand continues its expansion domestically and internationally, it remains committed to partnering with dedicated franchisees to grow Johnny Rockets throughout the world. For more information, including franchise information, visit www.johnnyrockets.com.

About Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets is an international restaurant franchise that offers food and fun reminiscent of feel-good Americana. Every Johnny Rockets restaurant serves simple, great-tasting food from a menu of all-American favorites, including made-to-order hamburgers, crispy American Fries and rich, delicious hand-spun shakes and malts. This dynamic lifestyle brand offers friendly service, upbeat music, twirled straws and dancing servers, contributing to the chain's signature atmosphere of relaxed, casual fun. Founded in 1986, Johnny Rockets operates more than 330 franchise and corporate locations in 26 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.johnnyrockets.com.

SOURCE Johnny Rockets

Media Contact:

Kelly Ronna
Trevelino/Keller
E: kronna@trevelinokeller.com
O: 404-214-0722 X107
C: 404-276-9737

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