Charley’s Grilled Subs, the international Philly Cheesesteak sandwich franchise, has promoted Bob Wright to president and chief operating officer to help guide the brand into the future.
Bob Wright was named COO for Charley’s Grilled Subs in 2010. Since joining the company, Wright has been responsible for company and franchise operations, purchasing, training, and marketing. As President, Wright will now assume the responsibilities for HR, IT, and business analytics.
“Bob is focused on improving the customer experience at every Charley’s location as well as improving the sales and profitability for each of our valued franchisees and the company as a whole,” says Charley Shin, Charley’s Gilled Subs founder and CEO. “He is a principle-centered leader that I have grown to respect, and I trust he has the best interest of our brand, our employees, our vendors, and franchise partners at heart.”
Wright has held executive/senior leadership positions in the food industry for more than 17 years. Before joining Charley’s, Wright was the EVP of Company and Franchise Operations at Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., Wendy’s vice president of Operations and Training Integration, and president of Cafe Express, a fast-casual chain owned by Wendy’s.
At Charley’s, Wright recently led the development of the “We Love Feedback Guest Satisfaction” program that will serve to improve the customers’ experiences in each location.
Other accomplishments in his first year include further developing the freestanding Charley’s Philly Steaks restaurant brand that now has three restaurants open in Rockford, Illinois; Chillicothe, Ohio; and Columbus, Ohio. Two more are opening in early 2012 in the Ohio cities of Massillon and Ontario. Wright plans four more in Columbus to follow throughout the year.
In 2011, Wright also led the expansion of an enhanced customer-oriented menu in several stores throughout the Charley’s system. The new menu includes three sandwich sizes, additional gourmet fries, and real-fruit lemonades and teas.
“Charley’s success is a direct result of our ability to deliver a differentiated fresh, quality food and service experience that today’s guest deserves,” Wright says.
“Our focus will be to support and strengthen our franchisees and our outstanding employees so they will exceed the customers’ expectations every time they visit a Charley’s. I’m very humbled and proud to lead such a high-quality brand.”
