Wendy’s International, Inc. has named Dave Near, a Wendy’s franchisee, as the company’s new COO, effective May 1.
In his new role, Near, 37, will oversee Wendy’s U.S., Canadian and international restaurant operations. Near will report to interim CEO and President Kerrii Anderson and will work out of the company’s Dublin, OH, headquarters. Part of Near’s duties will include improving customer service, speed and order accuracy at Wendy’s restaurants. He will replace former COO Tom Mueller, who resigned from the position in September (Xtra, Sept. 21, 2005).
Near will leave his post as president of Wendy’s Franchisee Advisory Council (WFAC) and president of Pisces Foods, a franchisee business, to assume his new title. Since 1995, Near and his brother, Jason Near, have operated Wendy’s restaurants as franchisees in the Austin, TX (29 in all). Their father, Jim Near, was a former Wendy’s CEO, chairman and president until his death in 1996.
In a separate announcement, John Deane, Wendy’s executive VP-operations, is leaving the company to pursue other interests, effective May 1. Deane joined Wendy’s in 2001 as chief information officer. Near plans to name Deane’s replacement within three months, the company said.
The management changes come less than a week after Wendy’s board of directors named Anderson as the company’s interim CEO. Anderson replaced former CEO and Chairman Jack Schuessler, who retired after more than 30 years with the company (Xtra, April 20).
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