Arby’s Restaurant Group said it has promoted several key executives to the new leadership team after the company’s parent, Triarc, saw a successful merger with the Wendy’s fast-food brand.

Wendy’s/Arby’s Group President and CEO Roland Smith said the new team has “vast knowledge” in the fast-food industry, as well as proven experience at Arby’s.

“I am confident in their ability to continue to lead the Arby’s brand as one of the most unique and innovative quick service restaurant chains in the industry,” Smith said.

The promotions include:

Tom Garrett added the role of CEO to become Arby’s president and CEO. Garrett has served as president and Chief Operating Officer of Arby’s since June 2006 and executive vice president and COO of Triarc since September of last year. Garrett was appointed as Arby’s COO in July 2005 after Triarc acquired the RTM Restaurant Group, which as the time was Arby’s largest franchisee. Garrett joined Arby’s more than 28 years ago.

Michael Lippert was promoted to Chief Operating Officer at Arby’s. He has served as senior vice president of operations for the brand since July 2005. Lippert joined Arby’s in 1993 as director of operations for RTM. Since then he has held positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president of operations for RTM’s Atlantic Coast Region and senior vice president of operations for RTM’s South Region.

John Dasis was promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Dasis started his Arby’s career in 1986 as a staff accountant for RTM’s South Region. In 1997, he was named a corporate controller, and for the past 11 years he has held various financial leadership positions, including: region controller, vice president region controller and vice president operations controller.

Michael Abt was promoted to senior vice president of company operations. Most recently, he was president of Arby’s South Region. Abt was hired by RTM in 1993 as an area supervisor in Atlanta and was promoted to director of operations for the same market two years later. In 1997 he was vice president of operations in Florida following RTM’s acquisition of 354 newly acquired Arby’s restaurants.

Other executives making up the Arby’s executive team:

Melissa Strait, senior vice president of human resources, training and development

John Gray, senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations

John Todd, chief development officer

“This team of industry veterans has tremendous depth and a long-standing history with the brand,’ Garrett said. “Together we represent more than 140 years of Arby’s experience. I am honored and proud to work alongside them as we lead Arby’s during its next period of growth.”