Friendly’s Ice Cream LLC, the operator of Friendly’s restaurants and a manufacturer of ice cream products distributed in more than 8,000 retail outlets, announced the appointment of Michael Dion as the company’s chief information officer. Dion, who has more than 30 years of experience in information technology, is excited to bring his insight to the Friendly’s executive team. Dion officially assumed this role on February 2 and reports to John Maguire, Friendly’s president and CEO.

Maguire considers technology to be the “factor that sets successful businesses apart” and immediately recognized Dion’s depth of knowledge in this field.

“The companies that are differentiating themselves from competitors are those that recognize the importance of properly utilizing technology in the restaurant and retail industry,” Maguire says. “I feel confident that the addition of Michael Dion to our team will greatly aid Friendly’s business applications.”

Dion joins the Friendly’s team equipped with a diverse background of valuable experiences, all of which have prepared him for his new role. His accomplishments include leading strategic business, process, and technology changes for several influential organizations, including Staples, Boston Medical Center Healthnet Plan, Bose, CVS, and JCPenney. Most recently, Dion held the position of chief information officer for Euro-Pro, the manufacturer behind the Shark and Ninja brands.

“I am excited to join the Friendly’s team and implement positive changes for this well-respected New England brand,” Dion says. “I hope to improve upon the processes that Friendly’s already has in place and work with the team to develop an effective strategy that will support its long-term goals.”