Global Franchise Group Names Chef Jason Dowd as VP of Culinary Innovation

Global Franchise Group (GFG), the company and franchisor behind Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Pretzelmaker, Marble Slab Creamery, and Round Table Pizza has announced that Chef Jason Dowd will serve as its Vice President of Culinary Innovation.

Dowd is a strategic hospitality leader and creative culinary innovator with a background in concept development, product innovation, and brand strategy. His background will prove especially useful as the GFG gears up for future acquisitions and growth.

Prior to joining GFG, Dowd was the Head of Global Food & Beverage and Director of Culinary Innovation for InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG). While at IHG, he established the company’s first test kitchen and Food & Beverage training center. He also evolved its branded restaurant and bar concepts across 5,400 plus properties worldwide. He also held various senior innovation and development positions at FOCUS Brands (Moe's Southwest Grill), Consumer Capital Partners (Smashburger, Live Basil Pizza), and [Darden Restaurants, Inc.](https://theorg.com/org/darden-restaurants/team "Darden Restaurants), where he developed menu concepts for Olive Garden.

In a press release, Global Franchise Group CEO Paul Damico, said, “Global Franchise Group is mission focused and the talent and commitment of our team is at an all-time high. We are building a shared service platform that will enable us to best champion our current and future brands. Our leadership team has the industry experience and know-how to get us there.

More announcements from Global Franchise Group

Team announcement

Global Franchise Group Welcomes Jon Gordon as VP of Creative Services

Global Franchise Group (GFG), the company and franchisor behind Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Pretzelmaker, Marble Slab Creamery, and Round Table Pizza has hired Jon Gordon as its new Vice President of Creative Services. Gordon is an award-winning Executive Creative Director with 20 years of agency and in-house experience. Before joining GFG Gordon served as Senior Vice President, Executive Creative Director at FOCUS Brands. In this role he led the company’s in-house agency team that supported Moe's Southwest Grill, Schlotzsky's, McAlister's Deli, Carvel, Cinnabon, and Jamba. He also served as a Senior Art Director at J Walter Thompson in Atlanta and an Art Director at Solomon Says. GFG’s hiring of Gordon follows an organizational restructuring in an attempt to prime the business for future acquisitions and growth. In a press release, Global Franchise Group CEO Paul Damico, said, “Global Franchise Group is mission focused and the talent and commitment of our team is at an all-time high. We are building a shared service platform that will enable us to best champion our current and future brands. Our leadership team has the industry experience and know-how to get us there."

Team announcement

Global Franchise Group Promotes Annica Conrad to Chief Marketing Officer

Global Franchise Group (GFG), the company and franchisor behind Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Pretzelmaker, Marble Slab Creamery, and Round Table Pizza has promoted Annica Conrad to Chief Marketing Officer. The promotion follows an organizational restructuring in an attempt to prime the business for future acquisitions and growth. Conrad, initially joined GFG in 2018 and most recently served as the Executive Vice President of Brand Marketing for all GFG brands. During her time at GFG, she has spearheaded the new identity and experience for Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery, as well as the concept's co-brand locations. Conrad also led the company’s COVID-19 task force which directed brand and franchisee response and action to the pandemic. In a press release, Global Franchise Group CEO Paul Damico, said, “Global Franchise Group is mission focused and the talent and commitment of our team is at an all-time high. We are building a shared service platform that will enable us to best champion our current and future brands. Our leadership team has the industry experience and know-how to get us there."

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