Einstein Noah: supports new marketing initiatives

Lakewood / CO. (enr) Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, a leader in the quick-casual segment of the restaurant industry, announced that it has named foodservice veteran Jeff Keune to the new position of vice president of marketing and formed a partnership with Y+R Chicago as agency of record.

Keune most recently was vice president of daypart development at Wendy´s / Arby´s Group Inc., where he held various marketing responsibilities during the past nine years. As vice president of marketing, Keune will be responsible for leading and executing key marketing initiatives and will have overall responsibility for product management and the marketing calendar. He will report to James O´Reilly, chief concept officer for Einstein Noah Restaurant Group.

«As an experienced and innovative marketing professional, Jeff is a welcome addition to our team», O´Reilly said. «With his hiring we are building on the momentum we have gained in driving transactions and increasing awareness for our brands. We are also increasing our focus on all three of our brands as we continue to leverage franchising and licensing as a growth strategy.

In conjunction with Keune´s appointment to lead marketing initiatives, Y+R Chicago was named agency of record for Einstein Noah Restaurant Group and will be responsible for creative, digital and media campaigns. Y+R was chosen in a bid process involving three other agencies.

Einstein Noah announces CFO departure

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group also announced that its Chief Financial Officer Rick Dutkiewicz is leaving the Company to pursue other interests. Dutkiewicz served as Chief Financial Officer of Einstein Noah since October 2003 and his departure will become effective in April. The Company has engaged a prominent executive search firm to identify a replacement and management is confident that the process will conclude quickly and without disruption to the business.

Jeff O´Neill, Chief Executive Officer and President of Einstein Noah: «On behalf of the Board of Directors and myself, I would like to thank Rick for his contributions to the Company. We wish him the best in all future endeavours. Meanwhile, our key business strategies and focus for 2010 remain on track. In addition, an executive search is well underway and we expect to fill the CFO position in short order».

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group has more than 680 locations in 38 U.S. states. Einstein Bros. Bagels was named one of the Top 10 Healthiest Restaurant Chains by Health Magazine in 2009 and recently placed eighth in Fast Casual´s annual Top 100 Movers and Shakers report.