News

Cole named Focus Brands president and COO; Damico named Naf Naf CEO

June 20, 2017

Six-chain operator, Focus Brands, has created a new leadership position — president and COO for North America — and named its current global channels group president Kat Cole to the role, a news release said.

In this position, Cole will oversee the company's domestic franchise brands including Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, McAlister's Deli, Moe's Southwest Grill and Schlotzsky's, as well as its licensing division. 

The previous individual to hold part of that new position, North American President Paul Damico, has been named CEO of Naf Naf Grill, the news release said.

"Leveraging her deep industry experience and track record of achieving step change in previous assignments at Focus Brands, Kat's thought leadership, broad executive experience and exceptional communication skills position her well to enable our brand leaders to drive our business with accelerated energy," Focus Brands CEO Steve DeSutter said in the release. "Those who have ever met Kat know that she is a uniquely skilled leader. She's purpose driven and has the demonstrated ability to bridge the worlds of franchising, large global brands, innovation and entrepreneurship with her collaborative management style."

DeSutter also praised Damico for his leadership even as he transferred to a new brand.

"Over the past nine years, in his role as president of Moe's Southwest Grill and most recently as the leader for all of our brands domestically, Paul had made a big impact on our business and helped us achieve impressive results," said DeSutter. "It has been a pleasure to work with him, and we truly wish him the best as he takes on this next new role."

At Focus, Cole has worked with DeSutter to create and institute the company's operating model design that grows all the brands by using each concept to collectively drive the growth of all of them. She has held many leadership positions across the industry, including chairing the board of the Women's Foodservice Forum, as well as board and executive committee membership. 

Cole is a member of the United Nations Global Entrepreneur's Council, was named one of Fortune Magazine's "40 under 40," and is among CNBC's top 25 Disruptors, Innovators and Leaders. She was also profiled as part of Fastcasual's Women's History Month series on "Women in the Lead."