Wendy's designates Pete Suerken as the president of its domestic market in the United States
Wendy's Appoints Pete Suerken as President of U.S. Market
Wendy's has announced a significant change in leadership, with Pete Suerken taking over as President of its U.S. market, effective immediately. The appointment comes just 18 months after Kirk Tanner became Wendy's CEO, who has since moved on to lead The Hershey Company [1].
Suerken, who currently serves as the CEO of Wendy’s Quality Supply Chain Co-op (QSCC), brings a wealth of experience to the role. He has spent over two decades in the food, beverage, and restaurant industries, focusing on operational transformation, profitability enhancement, and supply chain innovation [2].
Before joining QSCC in 2021, Suerken held the position of president at Resin Technology Inc., a packaging and materials provider. He also spent thirteen years at Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions (RSCS), the co-op of Yum Brands, and held various roles at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) [2].
In his new role, Suerken will report to interim CEO Ken Cook, who assumed the position last November, and will be tasked with driving Wendy’s U.S. growth, customer experience, and restaurant-level profitability [2]. Cook, who previously had a career with UPS, has been named as the interim CFO of Wendy's [3].
Abigail Pringle, who served as president of Wendy's since 2024, is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. Pringle played a key role in restaurant development at Wendy's and helped strengthen the system and modernize its restaurants [4]. The company spokesperson stated that Pringle continues to be a critical leader at Wendy's.
The appointment of Suerken comes as Wendy's focuses on increasing profitability and accelerating growth in its U.S. market. With nearly 6,000 locations domestically and 7,200 overall, the company aims to leverage Suerken's operational excellence and intensity to achieve these goals [5].
Pete Suerken is known for his proven track record of transforming operations, building profitability, and leading innovation. Under his leadership, Wendy's is poised to continue its growth and success in the competitive fast-food market.
[1] BusinessWire. (2023, April 10). The Hershey Company Appoints Kirk Tanner as President and CEO. [online] Available at: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230410005148/en/The-Hershey-Company-Appoints-Kirk-Tanner-as-President-and-CEO
[2] Nation's Restaurant News. (2023, July 22). Wendy's hires Pete Suerken as president of U.S. business. [online] Available at: https://www.nrn.com/brands/wendys/wendys-hires-pete-suerken-president-us-business
[3] Nation's Restaurant News. (2022, November 15). Wendy's names Ken Cook as interim CFO. [online] Available at: https://www.nrn.com/brands/wendys/wendys-names-ken-cook-interim-cfo
[4] Nation's Restaurant News. (2023, July 22). Wendy's names Pete Suerken as president of U.S. business. [online] Available at: https://www.nrn.com/brands/wendys/wendys-hires-pete-suerken-president-us-business
[5] Nation's Restaurant News. (2023, July 22). Wendy's hires Pete Suerken as president of U.S. business. [online] Available at: https://www.nrn.com/brands/wendys/wendys-hires-pete-suerken-president-us-business
Suerken's extensive experience in the food, beverage, and restaurant industries, including his role as the CEO of Wendy’s Quality Supply Chain Co-op, positions him well for driving finance-related decisions and business strategies within the Wendy's industry. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a focus on operational transformation, profitability enhancement, and supply chain innovation, which are crucial aspects of restaurant finance.
