MIAMI - Subway, a prominent global restaurant chain, announced today that its CEO, John Chidsey, is set to retire at the end of this year. Carrie Walsh, currently overseeing the company's Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) operations and formerly the Global Chief Marketing Officer, will step up as the Interim CEO.
Chidsey, who became Subway's CEO in 2019, is credited with leading a significant transformation of the brand, refreshing its menu and enhancing the guest experience through digital innovation. His tenure saw the brand's expansion, with commitments for over 10,000 future restaurant openings and a projected doubling of new restaurant openings in 2024 compared to 2019.
Carrie Walsh will take over leadership duties while the company searches for a permanent successor. Walsh brings over two decades of brand-building expertise across various consumer industries to her new role. In her statement, Walsh expressed her commitment to continuing the brand's strategic initiatives, focusing on franchisee profitability and customer satisfaction through innovation.
As part of the leadership transition, Chidsey will move into a consulting role to assist with the company's ongoing international growth strategy and maintain relationships with master franchisees.
Subway's board member Clay Harmon praised Chidsey's transformative impact on the company, affirming that his vision would guide Subway into the future. Harmon also recognized Walsh's qualifications, noting her experience with global operations, brand innovation, and digital transformation as critical assets for the company's next phase.
Walsh joined Subway's Executive Leadership Team in 2019 and has since been influential in enhancing the brand's perception and strategic direction, both in the U.S. and globally. Her recent role as President of EMEA, Subway's second-largest region, involved managing operations, finance, marketing, and development across 50 countries and territories.
As the company prepares for this leadership shift, Subway's focus remains on sustaining its position as a leading global restaurant brand.
Private equity firm Roark Capital Group owns Subway.
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