Subway has appointed Jonathan Fitzpatrick, a veteran executive from Burger King, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Effective July 28, Fitzpatrick will lead the sandwich chain into its next chapter after a comprehensive search.
Fitzpatrick’s background is deeply rooted in the fast-food industry. He served as President and CEO of Driven Brands, a company with automotive subsidiaries like Maaco, CARSTAR, Meineke, and Take 5 Oil Change. Prior to that, he held senior leadership positions at Burger King, including EVP, Chief Brand, and Operations officer.
Under Fitzpatrick’s leadership, Subway will build upon its foundation of providing freshly made, better-for-you options with value and convenience. He aims to shape the future of the company, working closely with franchisees and employees to drive increased sales and franchisee profitability.
Subway has seen significant changes under the previous CEO, John Chidsey. The chain introduced new menu items, revamped its store image, and expanded into new markets. However, it also faced challenges, including declining sales and closures of over 1,000 stores in recent years.
Despite these setbacks, Subway remains the largest restaurant chain in the US by footprint. The company has signed commitments for more than 10,000 future restaurant openings and has expanded into new markets in Europe, Latin America, and Asia.
Fitzpatrick will work closely with Carrie Walsh, president of Europe, Middle East, and Africa, to lead the transition. He expressed his honor at leading a brand that has served guests around the world for 60 years and looks forward to shaping its future growth and success.
Source: https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/subway-hires-another-burger-king-vet-to-lead-company-as-ceo