After hiring Eric Wyatt as its new CEO three months ago, Boston Market announced Monday that Wyatt has transitioned to COO and that company veteran Randy Miller has been named president.
Miller has worked at Boston Market for more than 25 years, most recently serving as chief administrative officer and general counsel. In his new role as president, he will work with Engage Brands, parent of the restaurant, to promote growth.
Wyatt—who had a previous stint as the brand’s COO—became Boston Market’s CEO in February, taking over for Frances Allen, who departed to lead Checkers & Rally’s. The company said that in his new role, he will lead the brand’s field leaders and restaurant teams.
Boston Market announced in April that it was acquired by Engage Brands from affiliates of Sun Capital Partners in an undisclosed deal. Engage Brands operates under the Rohan Group of Companies, owned by real estate investor and restaurant operator Jay Pandya.
“In my time so far, I have met with many people who are genuinely proud to say that they are a part of history here at Boston Market. Randy Miller has been one of these individuals and has played a key role in our success over the past 25 years,” said Pandya, managing director of Engage Brands and Chairman of Boston Market, in a statement. “He truly knows Boston Market inside and out, and I have extreme confidence that Randy and the leadership team will continue to move this iconic brand forward to its true potential. This company cherishes its values, its quality, and its people like no other, and that is why I can see Boston Market climbing to the top of the food industry with Randy leading in this new role.”
Before Miller joined the chain as general counsel, he worked seven years as an associate of Rudnick & Wolfe, now DLA Piper, in Chicago. He attended Illinois Wesleyan University and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science before obtaining his juris doctorate at Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He serves on the board of directors for Give Kids the World, a nonprofit resort in Central Florida that provides free vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
“Boston Market has brought delicious, home style meals to families for more than 30 years, and I am proud to be a part of that legacy and excited to continue to build the brand as I take on the new role of president,” said Miller in a statement. “It’s an exciting and interesting time to be a part of Boston Market, as we continue to innovate our guest experience in the challenging environment we are in, make culinary enhancements and improve brand reach and relevance to serve our guests however, and wherever, they wish to access our food. In partnership with Jay and the Engage Brands team, we are well positioned to meet this challenge, build on our momentum and expand the Boston Market brand to more American homes.”
The brand ended 2019 with 376 domestic units, down from 430 U.S. locations at the end of 2018, or a 12.6 percent decrease, according to FoodServiceResults. Boston Market earned $515 million in total sales in 2019, down from $560 million in 2018, or an 8 percent decline.
Last summer, the company shuttered 45 stores, which represented about 10 percent of its total footprint.