Papa John's International Inc. is restructuring its management under its new CEO, including the departure next spring of Joe Smith, its chief financial officer with more than 20 years with the brand, the company said Wednesday.
Rob Lynch, the new CEO and president of the Louisville, Ky.-based pizza brand, said on the company’s third-quarter earnings calls that the “strengthening and streamlining” of the senior management team included the hiring of Max Wetzel as chief commercial and marketing officer.
“As we introduce a more focused plan and strategic priorities for the company, we are realigning Papa John’s senior management, promoting leaders within the company and adding proven talent,” Lynch said in a statement.
Lynch said Smith will remain as CFO as the company searches for a new leader in that position.
Lynch added that the new structure would “empower our senior leaders to make quicker, better decisions, collaborate more effectively and focus investment and effort on the key drivers of Papa John’s future growth and success.”
Wetzel, the former vice president for consumer brands and chief transformation officer at PPG Industries, will begin his new role Nov. 18. He will oversee marketing, menu strategy, product innovation, customer experience and a new project management office.
“Max earned a reputation as a strategic and growth-oriented consumer marketer during his career at H.J. Heinz and most recently, PPG,” Lynch said.
Jim Norberg, the Papa John’s senior vice president of restaurant operations, has been named chief operating officer for North America, and Jack Swaysland has been named chief operating officer for international.
As a result of the reorganization, the company said chief operating and growth officer Mike Nettles and chief marketing officer Karlin Linhardt will leave the company after a short transition period to pursue other opportunities.
Other changes in the Papa John’s executive team included:
- Marvin Boakye has been named chief people and diversity officer. He joined the company as chief people officer in January 2019.
- Madeline Chadwick has been promoted to senior vice president for communications and corporate affairs.
As of Sept. 29, Papa John’s had 5,343 Papa John’s restaurants in 49 countries and territories.
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