Staffing

Former Dunkin' exec leading Qdoba's franchise development

May 12, 2021

Qdoba Mexican Eats has hired Shawn Caric as VP of franchise development, where he'll direct the 740-unit brand's franchise expansion in the United States and Canada, according to a company press release. He most recently served as the director of development for the Midwest region at Dunkin Brands, leading real estate signings and site approval for 11 states.

"The results that Shawn has achieved in his career with restaurant and non-restaurant franchise concepts is impressive, and we knew immediately that his experience and franchising knowledge would be a great asset to Qdoba," CEO Keith Guilbault said in the release. "As we continue our aggressive franchise expansion, Shawn will play a critical role in bringing Qdoba to new regions and expanding our existing market footprint. We're excited that another executive with a great reputation has joined our team at such a momentous period."

In December 2020, Qdoba unveiled a series of new restaurant footprints to fuel multi-unit growth. The concepts include ghost kitchen formats and smaller takeout footprints designed with dense urban areas in mind. Restaurants with drive-thrus can enter spaces as small as 1,200 square feet.

"Qdoba is in a great position to grow, and I'm looking forward to working alongside the corporate team, existing franchisees and new operators to continue to expand the brand across North America," Caric said. "Qdoba is at a pivotal time in its growth trajectory, and I welcome the opportunity to be a part of the brand's story as we reach new milestones. With the momentum behind the brand right now, the possibilities are endless."