Focus Brands names new CEO

Focus Brands has tapped a Hilton veteran as its new chief executive.

The parent company of Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba, Moe's Southwest Grill, McAlister's Deli, Schlotzsky's and Seattle's Best Coffee (in certain military bases and in certain international markets) appointed Jim Holthouser as CEO, effective immediately. He succeeds Steve DeSutter, who is retiring after serving as the company's CEO for nearly six years. 

Holthouser, who brings more than 30 years of experience in worldwide brand development, concept innovation, franchise management and digital marketing, most recently served as executive VP, global brands, marketing and loyalty at Hilton Worldwide, where he was responsible for Hilton's entire portfolio of 13 brands with over 5,000 hotels across 105 countries, generating annual revenues of $36 billion. He spent more than 20 years at Hilton in various strategic and brand management roles and has a proven track record of spearheading the launch, development, and repositioning of leading consumer brands.

"Jim is a results-oriented leader with a demonstrated history of partnering with team members and franchisees to drive results," said Steve Romaniello, chairman, Focus Brands, which operates more than 6,000 restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops, and bakeries in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and over 50 foreign countries. "His track record of managing multi-branded portfolios and growing brands is impressive and gives us great confidence that he is ideally suited to lead Focus Brands in its next phase of growth.”