Industry Veteran to Oversee Nathan’s Famous Restaurants
JERICHO, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2019--
Nathan’s Famous announced today that it has hired James Walker, CFE, as
the company’s Senior Vice President, Restaurants. Walker comes to
Nathan’s Famous from Subway where he was Vice President, North America,
overseeing all franchised restaurants in the U.S. and Canada.
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James Walker, CFE (Photo: Business Wire)
“We are excited to have James on board to lead our all-important
restaurant division,” said Eric Gatoff, CEO of Nathan’s Famous. “While
our success over the last decade has largely come from our product
licensing and foodservice businesses, Nathan’s started as a restaurant
company in 1916. James’ skill set includes extensive experience in
restaurant operations, franchising and product development. Adding
someone as accomplished and innovative as James demonstrates our
continued commitment to our restaurant business operations.”
A recognized expert in retail and hospitality, Walker brings more than
30 years of broad based, senior level, management experience to Nathan’s
Famous. He has held President, Chief Development Officer, Senior
Operations and New Product Development positions, for brands such as
Baja Fresh®, Cinnabon®, Johnny Rockets® and Subway®. Walker has
conducted business in more than 65 international markets, including such
emerging markets as Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Pakistan and Mongolia.
“I’m thrilled to join Nathan’s Famous, a truly iconic brand that started
on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island and is now a
global player in the restaurant and retail spheres,” said Walker. “I
look forward to making every guest experience in our restaurants
rewarding and enjoyable on every level.”
A Certified Franchise Executive, Walker earned his MBA at Duke’s Fuqua
School of Business. He has achieved additional certificates and diplomas
from Yale, Harvard, and MIT. In 2016, Walker was awarded the President’s
“E” award from President Obama for Excellence in Furthering American
Business Internationally.
About Nathan’s Famous:
Nathan’s Famous products are currently sold in more than 78,000 retail
and food service locations, and are available in all 50 states, the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the
Cayman Islands, and in 16 foreign countries. Nathan’s products are
available in arenas and stadiums all over the country, movie theaters,
colleges and universities, travel plazas, amusement parks, casinos and
hotels.
For more information about Nathan’s Famous please visit www.nathansfamous.com or www.facebook.com/nathansfamous.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190516005240/en/
Source: Nathan’s Famous
PRESS:
Shea Communications
Richard Shea (212) 627-5766