Arby's names Hilton exec as CEO
Arby's brings in Hilton executive to head the sandwich chain
NEW YORK (AP) -- Arby's named a Hilton executive as its CEO Tuesday as the chain, known for its roast beef sandwiches, continues its attempts to revitalize the brand.
Paul Brown has been the president of brands at Hilton Worldwide. He had also served as president at Expedia.com and did a stint with InterContinental Hotels Group as a senior vice president.
Arby's was sold by Wendy's Co. to the private equity firm Roark Capital Group in 2011.
Brown will be the first CEO under Roark.
Hala Moddelmog, Arby's president, will report to Brown.
Wendy's and Arby's joined in a $2.3 billion deal put together by investor Nelson Peltz in 2008, but the restaurants struggled to thrive as commodity costs soared.
Those involved with the deal insist that it never failed and when Wendy's/Arby's Group announced that the chains would go their separate ways, Arby's had just posted a 3.1 percent gain in comparable stores operated by the company.
Arby's has more than 3,400 locations in the U.S. and has been diversifying its menu in a bid to draw more diners.
