Dunkin’ Brands, which operates Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins chains, said Wednesday Nigel Travis will replace Jon Luther as chief executive, effective Jan. 6.
Travis, 58, previously served as president and chief executive of Louisville, Ky.-based pizza chain Papa John’s International Inc. The company’s founder and chairman, John H. Schnatter, will replace him there on an interim basis while Papa John’s seeks a permanent successor.
He also worked at Blockbuster Inc. from 1994 to 2004, serving part of that time as president and chief operating officer. Travis will relocate to Massachusetts with his family.
Luther, 65, will remain executive chairman of Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin’ Brands. He joined the company in 2003 as CEO and became chairman in 2006. He has been working since the beginning of this year to develop a succession plan, Dunkin’ Brands said.
Since 2006, when it was acquired by a consortium of private equity firms, Dunkin’ Brands has been expanding internationally into regions such as China and introducing healthier menu offerings in an effort to improve results and compete against rivals such as Starbucks Corp. (AP)
