FOCUS Brands Inc.—the fast-growing company responsible for overseas expansion of Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Carvel Ice Cream, Moe's Southwest Grill, Schlotzsky's, and Seattle's Best Coffee—has named Thomas Bartsch as chief marketing officer of international and Mario Lopez-Belio as senior vice president of international supply chain.
Each will report to president of FOCUS Brands International Mike Shattuck.
"It's extremely important for us to add top-notch talent to our international team during this period of fast growth," Shattuck says. "Thomas and Mario bring exceptional resumes to the table, each having the global experience we need as we continue to introduce our brands to new markets abroad."
Bartsch began his new position on January 8. In this role, he's charged with overseeing all international marketing efforts, including the development of unified brand messages and ensuring brand positioning is consistent with local demographics and market segments in FOCUS Brands' international territories.
Bartsch brings more than 15 years of international marketing experience to the company, most recently serving as the executive director of marketing for the International House of Pancakes. He received his undergraduate degree in economics from Tulane University and earned an MBA from the University of Miami.
Lopez-Belio joined FOCUS Brands on March 4. In this new position, he will provide overall direction to FOCUS Brands' supply chain efforts. Lopez-Belio will be tasked with developing and implementing international supply chain strategy and counseling management on effective sourcing and management practices.
Before joining FOCUS Brands, Lopez-Belio served as chief procurement officer for Carlson since 2006. There, he helped build a center-led global supply chain organization across all Carlson business units.
Lopez-Belio also previously held the position of managing director of global sourcing with FedEx Office, and gained experience working in global, multi-business organizations and in a franchise business from his time with PepsiCo Restaurants International in Latin America.
