News

Focus Brands names Russ Umphenour as president, CEO

November 10, 2008

ATLANTA — Focus Brands Inc. has named Russ Umphenour president and chief executive officer, the company announced. Former CEO Steve Romaniello has been named chairman of the board and joins Roark Capital Group as managing director and a member of the private equity firm's investment committee.

Focus Brands is the franchisor and operator of more than 2,200 ice cream stores, bakeries, restaurants and cafes under the brand names Carvel, Cinnabon, Schlotzsky's, Moe's Southwest Grill and Seattle's Best Coffee. Roark Capital ownws a majority interest in Focus Brands.

Umphenour began his career as a part-time counter person at an Arby's restaurant in 1967. He founded Atlanta-based RTM Restaurant Group in 1973, growing the company from 11 Arby's restaurants to 870 locations in 22 states across several different concepts before selling RTM to Triarc Cos. Inc. in 2005.