Canton / MA. (prn) With more than 16’500 restaurants in 60 countries around the world, Dunkin´ Brands Group Inc., the parent company of Dunkin´ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, announced the appointment of international food-service and retail industry executive Giorgio Minardi to the position of President, Dunkin´ Brands International. In this role, Minardi will be responsible for strategically expanding the presence of Dunkin´ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins outside the United States and for delivering a consistent, but culturally relevant, brand experience for the Company´s international customers. Minardi will report directly to Nigel Travis, Dunkin´ Brands´ Chief Executive Officer and President, Dunkin´ Donuts, and will serve on the Dunkin´ Brands leadership team.
A highly experienced food-service and retail industry executive, Minardi has held top strategic development and brand management positions at prominent international food-service and retail companies, including McDonald´s, Burger King and Autogrill Corporation, a food, beverage and retail company. Most recently, Minardi served as Managing Director, Europe and the Middle East, for Autogrill where he was responsible for every aspect of that company´s business operations in 40 countries. He also served as Autogrill´s Chairman in Spain and Belgium, and as President in Switzerland. Under Minardi´s direction, Autogrill undertook an aggressive development plan that expanded its market share while driving sales and profits.
«With an impressive career as an international executive with some of the leading brands in the food-service and retail industry, Giorgio is eminently qualified to help us capitalize on the tremendous global growth opportunities available to Dunkin´ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins», said Nigel Travis. «He has a unique blend of marketing, operational, development and general management experience, as well as on-the-ground experience in Asia Pacific, Europe and the U.S. Combine all of that with his passion for the food-service industry, and we believe he will enable us to enhance our support of our international franchisees and drive profitable growth in new and existing markets».
Prior to Autogrill, Minardi was with Burger King, first as Vice President of Asia Pacific, and later as Division Vice President of Northwest Europe, where he was responsible for the company´s overall performance in the United Kingdom, the brand´s second-biggest region outside the U.S. Minardi also spent 16 years with McDonald´s Corporation, initially serving as Vice President Marketing, Asia Pacific, and ultimately as Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Greater China, contributing significantly to the company´s growth in the region. Minardi currently serves on the Board of Directors of Volotea Airlines in Europe.
«I am excited about being a part of the Dunkin´ Brands team. The company is among the world´s largest quick-service restaurant companies and includes two of the most recognized and beloved brands in the industry», said Giorgio Minardi. «I look forward to working with the franchisees, as well as the management team, and to helping Dunkin´ Brands recognize its significant international growth opportunities».
During the first nine months of 2011, Dunkin´ Brands Inc., the parent company of Dunkin´ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, opened approximately 480 net new locations globally. In 2010 the company added more net new locations than almost any other quick-service restaurant chain in the world.
