Robert M. Lynch

Robert “Rob” M. Lynch (born 1976) is an American businessman and the current CEO of Papa John's Pizza.[1][2] He was announced as the new CEO to replace CEO Steve Ritchie in August 2019. Ritchie was the successor to founder John Schnatter[3] Lynch had previously served as the president of Arby's, famously spearheading the chain's “We Have the Meats” campaign.[4][5][6]

Early life

Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, Lynch attended college at University of Rochester. He graduated in 1999 with a dual major in political science and economics. He would later graduate from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration in 2000 with an MBA.[7]

Career

Procter and Gamble

Lynch was hired in 1999 as a Brand Manager at Procter & Gamble. Throughout his seven-year tenure, he oversaw ad campaigns for the Crest brand line of oral care products.[8]

The Kraft Heinz Company

In 2006, Lynch left his senior position at Procter & Gamble to become the associate marketing director at The Kraft Heinz Company. Assuming the role of general manager, he oversaw marketing campaign and led delivery of the Heinz Consumer Portfolio's largest profit and loss statement.[7]

Taco Bell

From 2012 to 2013, Lynch served at Taco Bell as vice president of marketing. During this time, he developed a focus on product innovation campaigns and marketing using innovative menu items.[7]

Arby’s

Lynch's stint at Taco Bell was cut short due to his recruitment by Arby's Restaurant Group in 2013. He served as the restaurant's Brand President and Chief Marketing Officer until August 2017, when Lynch was promoted to president of the company, a position he held until 2019. In both of these roles, Lynch led brand reinvention and the formation of Inspire Brands.[9] He also served as president of Arby's franchisee association, driving the chain's first new restaurant growth in a decade. Arby's witnessed record sales and profits during his tenure.[7][10][8]

Papa John's Pizza

On August 26, 2019, Lynch overtook the President and CEO positions at Papa John's Pizza in a highly publicized announcement.[8][11][12][13] In the nearly two years he has held the position, Lynch has led the company to improved financial performance, helping it recover from waning sales and stock value.[2][14][15][16] He has spearheaded innovation of new menu items such as the New York Style Pizza, Epic Stuffed Crust Pizza, Shaq-A-Roni, the Garlic Parmesan Crust and implemented superior support for franchises and staff.[7][17][18][19]

Philanthrophy

Lynch has directed Papa John's charity contributions to focus on local community outreach and resources for veterans.[20] Since his tenure as CEO and president, charitable contributions by Papa John's have increased. A large number of charities has benefited from the campaign, including Volunteers of America, UNCF, Boys & Girls Clubs,[21] The Salvation Army as well as various schools and homeless shelters.[22][23][24][25]

References
  1. "Robert M. Lynch". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  2. "PZZA | Papa John's International Inc. Company Profile & Executives - WSJ". www.wsj.com. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  3. "Papa John's Appoints Proven, Transformational Leader Rob Lynch as President and CEO". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  4. Sandler, Rachel. "Arby's President Rob Lynch Tapped As Papa John's CEO". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  5. ""We Have the Meatless?" Never, Vows Arby's President". Fortune. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  6. Yaffe-Bellany, David (2019-08-27). "Papa John's Names Arby's Head as C.E.O. to Turn Around Pizza Chain". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  7. "Robert Lynch, CEO of Papa John's, Elected to Kontoor Brands Board of Directors". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  8. Lucas, Amelia (2019-08-27). "Papa John's names Arby's President Rob Lynch as CEO, shares jump 7%". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  9. "Rob Lynch - Inspire Brands" (PDF).
  10. "Kontoor Brands names Papa John's top executive to its board of directors". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  11. Haddon, Heather (2019-08-27). "Papa John's Taps Arby's Head as CEO". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  12. "Executive of the Year: Rob Lynch, Papa John's". Restaurant Dive. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  13. "Papa John's Preparing to Appoint Arby's President Rob Lynch as its CEO". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  14. Haigh, Marilyn (2020-02-26). "Papa John's future was bleak in 2018—here's how the company is coming back from the brink". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  15. Haddon, Mark Maurer and Heather (2019-11-06). "Papa John's CFO Stepping Down as New CEO Shakes Up Pizza Chain". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  16. "Papa John's Quarterly Results Show Pizza Demand Remains Strong". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  17. Maze, Jonathan (April 29, 2021). "At Papa John's, Rob Lynch slaughters some sacred cows, and keeps others". Restaurant Business. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  18. Klara, Robert (November 18, 2021). "Papa John's Is Nixing Its Menu Boards". Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  19. Rogers, Kate (2020-08-06). "Papa John's CEO says it has won new customers during the pandemic and will hire more workers to meet demand". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  20. "The Papa John's Foundation for Building Community Awards Nearly $1 Million in Grants to More Than 100 Nonprofit Organizations to Empower Youth, Fight Hunger and Reduce Food Waste in More Than 40 Communities". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  21. "The Papa John's Foundation". www.bgca.org. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  22. "Papa John's Uses Shaq-a-Roni Pizza to Raise $3 Million for Charity". QSR magazine. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  23. Lundstrom, Kathryn (June 29, 2020). "Papa John Donates $1 to Charity for Each Shaq-a-Roni Pizza". Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  24. "Papa John's Shaq-a-Roni Pizza with a Purpose raises more than $3 Million for The Papa John's Foundation for the second year". Nation's Restaurant News. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
  25. "Support from Papa John's reaches £500,000". The Trussell Trust. 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2021-12-27.
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