Cousins Subs announced the promotion of Hilary Krekling as Vice President of Operations. Krekling, who grew up with Cousins Subs as the daughter of franchisees, has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication throughout her career with the company.
Krekling’s journey with Cousins Subs began working in-store in April 2006, before interning at the Corporate Support Center in 2013 and was hired the following year as a Training Coordinator. In less than a year, her commitment and expertise quickly earned her a promotion to Area Director, where she successfully ensured operational excellence and profitability across 11 locations. In June 2020, Krekling was further promoted to Director of Operations, where she skillfully led the operations team through the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. As Director of Operations, Krekling effectively managed 50 corporate locations, spearheaded a team of Area Directors and provided comprehensive support to nearly 1,000 employees across the operations department.
In October 2023, Krekling joined the Cousins Subs Leadership Team as the Vice President of Operations. In this new role, she is responsible for overseeing the operations department at the Cousins Subs Corporate Support Center, further strengthening the brand’s commitment to excellence.
“Hilary’s extensive experience and dedication to our brand make her the perfect fit for this role,” says Christine Specht, CEO at Cousins Subs. “Her leadership has been instrumental in navigating the challenges of the past few years, and we are excited to see her continue to drive operational success.”
Krekling’s passion for leadership and community involvement is evident in her background. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business with a focus in management and leadership from the University of St. Thomas – Twin Cities. During her time at St. Thomas, Krekling founded the L.E.A.D. club, a group dedicated to promoting leadership skills among students. Additionally, she has actively participated in volunteer work, including eight mission trips both nationally and internationally.
“I am honored to take on this new role and contribute to the continued success of Cousins Subs as we continue to grow and expand with exciting opportunities on the horizon,” says Krekling. “I am committed to upholding our brand’s values and delivering exceptional experiences to our guests and franchisees.”
As Cousins Subs celebrates Hilary Krekling’s promotion to Vice President of Operations, the brand looks forward to her continued leadership and contributions to the company’s growth and success.