Sbarro, the world’s largest mall-focused Italian restaurant chain, announced the appointment of Angela Hornsby as chief people officer.
In her new role, Hornsby is responsible for leading all areas of the company’s human resources strategies, practices, and programs, including talent acquisition and management, leadership development and training, employee relations, compensation, and benefits.
“In addition to product, place, and positioning, a key component of our revitalization tactics is our enhanced focus on our people and culture,” says James Greco, Sbarro president and CEO.
“Angela brings a wealth of valuable strategic and operational experience to our company,” he says. “She will provide proven leadership for our expanding HR programs, and augment our ability to attract, hire, and retain a breadth of top talent across the company.”
Most recently, Hornsby served as vice president of organization development and effectiveness at DineEquity Inc., one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world that franchises and operates Applebee's and IHOP restaurants.
Previously, she served as vice president of human resources at Applebee’s. Prior to that, Hornsby held the positions of vice president of human resources and vice president of operations, West Division at Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, Inc., a global restaurant company that owns, operates, franchises, and licenses restaurants under the T.G.I. Friday's Brand.
As part of its plan to reinvigorate the brand announced early this year, Sbarro successfully completed the testing of a new pizza recipe and made-to-order pasta stations, complete with sauté pans and open-flame ovens at 10 units around the country.
In addition, the company will be introducing its new pizza recipe in the fall, and a new prototype restaurant model will be unveiled early next year.
Throughout the remainder of 2012, Sbarro will continue to grow with 60 new domestic and international openings planned.