Dive Brief:
- Kevin Vasconi joined Papa Johns as chief digital and technology officer Monday, the company announced in a press release.
- Vasconi previously served as chief information officer at Wendy’s under Todd Penegor, who took the CEO role at Papa Johns last month.
- Papa Johns also added new responsibilities for Ravi Thanawala, its CFO, who is now also its executive vice president for international. Its chief restaurant officer, Joe Sieve, is now responsible for global development.
Dive Insight:
As CIO at Wendy’s Vasconi “led their transformation and tripled its ecommerce business in three years through a consumer-centric approach, leveraging technology to build loyalty with Wendy’s customers,” according to the press release.
Vasconi’s role includes authority over consumer-facing, corporate and back-of-house technology. He will have responsibility for information security, data analytics and engineering. The role will require a focus on “advancing scalable, cost-effective technology capabilities for the franchise system,” according to the press release.
On the consumer side of things, Vasconi will work with the brand’s marketing team. Papa Johns is trying to improve its value perception among customers through LTOs and value deals, and the chain’s loyalty program, Papa Rewards, is likely to be an important part of value-centric messaging.
Penegor said he had confidence in Vasconi stemming from their time together as Wendy’s executives.
“I experienced first-hand his ability to lead technology innovation that delivered significant impact for our customers, team members and franchisees,” Penegor said in the press release.
Earlier this year, CKE Restaurants hired Papa Johns’ previous technology chief, Justin Falciola. Vasconi stepped aside as CIO at Wendy’s in favor of Matt Spessard in February, but remained with the company as an adviser, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Thanawala, in addition to his CFO role, will now have responsibility for Papa Johns’ business outside the U.S. and Canada. Sieve will oversee global development and corporate and franchise restaurant operations.
