News

Potbelly names CEO

December 4, 2017

Potbelly Corp. has named Alan Johnson as its president and CEO. Johnson succeeds Michael Coyne, who was serving as interim CEO after Aylwin Lewis stepped down this summer, according to a company press release.

Coyne will continue to serve as the company's CFO.

"We are pleased to welcome Alan to Potbelly and to the board," said Pete Bassi, chairman of the board of Potbelly. "Alan is a dynamic leader with a long and proven track record of successfully leading retail and restaurant brands."

During his more than 30 years of experience, Johnson has led retail and restaurant organizations through successful turnarounds and periods of exceptional growth, according to the release. Most recently, he provided strategic and executional consulting services to organizations in transition.

Prior to that, for more than six years, he was CEO of BevMo, a specialty retailer of alcoholic beverages and related products. He led the company to the fastest growth in its 21-year history. He developed and executed BevMo strategic initiatives, including a repositioning the brand that significantly grew revenue to approximately $800 million and more than doubled profits, according to the release.

Johnson has served as COO and CFO for PepsiCo's Eastern Europe restaurant division and as international strategic planning director for Pizza Hut International. Johnson also was COO of Regal Theaters (formerly known as Hoyts Cinemas), and SVP and GM for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

"Potbelly is a fantastic brand with tremendous potential," Johnson said in the release. "I am honored and excited to lead this company. I am enthusiastic about supporting the board's evaluation of strategic options to maximize shareholder value and look forward to engaging with our shareholders, employees, franchisees, and customers as we chart the optimal future course for Potbelly. The great food, differentiated customer experience, and incredible people are a solid foundation for continued evolution of this brand and company. I look forward to working with our leadership team and employees."