Flynn Restaurant Group, the largest restaurant franchisee in the U.S., announced that it has hired Jeffery Kent as its new Senior Vice President of Information Technology overseeing all IT related activities across the company’s Applebee’s, Taco Bells, and Panera Bakery Cafes. Kent has more than 25 years of senior IT leadership experience, earning a reputation for technical expertise, business acumen, and strategic vision.

“We are thrilled to have Jeff join Flynn’s senior leadership team,” says Ron Bellamy, Chief Improvement Officer for Flynn Restaurant Group. “Throughout his career, Jeff has consistently demonstrated a unique knack for developing high performing teams and the capabilities required to successfully execute large-scale projects, both of which are essential to our continued evolution within the restaurant industry.”

Prior to working with Flynn Restaurant Group, Mr. Kent held senior IT positions with American Blue Ribbon Holdings, The Yankee Candle Company, Fiesta Restaurant Group and Wendy’s International, and is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University.