P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc., operator of P.F. Chang's restaurants and Pei Wei Asian Diner, has announced that former board member F. Lane Cardwell will become its president, effective March 1.
Cardwell is the former CEO of Boston Market, taking the helm there in June 2009 and resigning in October 2010. He was replaced at Boston Market by George Michel, who most recently served as president and CEO of Timothy’s Coffees of the World Inc.
In his new position, Cardwell will mostly concentrate on the company's long-term business strategy, while chief operating officer Rick Tasman will handle day-to-day operations.
In December, P.F. Chang's, said co-CEO Bert Vivian will retire at the end of fiscal 2011, which is in early January 2012.
Cardwell officially joined P.F. Chang's in December and was a member of the company's board from 1999-2009.
Lane isn't the only executive hire the company has made since the announced retirement of Vivian. K.C. Moylan was named president of Pei Wei Asian Diner in January. Both Moylan and Cardwell will serve as chain presidents while Rick Federico will serve as sole company-wide CEO.
