Johnny Rockets today announced industry veteran Lee Sanders has been named president
and chief executive officer of The Johnny Rockets Group, Inc.
“Johnny Rockets is poised for growth through development of new ‘express’ concept
restaurants and strategic partners such as Six Flags,” said Chris Ainley, chairman,
The Johnny Rockets Group, Inc. “With his extensive background in the restaurant
industry and proven track record, Lee is perfectly suited to take on the leadership
of Johnny Rockets and we are thrilled to have him on board.”
A senior executive with outstanding success in franchise development, distributor
networks, operations management and building and leading teams in start-up, turnaround,
growth, and Fortune 500 environments, Sanders most recently served more than five
years as the senior vice president of development and franchising for Minneapolis-based
Buffalo Wild Wings. While there, he led the national rollout of the casual dining
restaurant chain with more than 465 units and implemented a strategy that continues
to allow Buffalo Wild Wings to achieve their objective of more than 1,000 units.
“Johnny Rockets is a great brand, and I’m anxious to work with both the executive
team and our existing franchisees on the growth opportunities ahead,” said Sanders.