Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin’ Brands, parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, said it has appointed Nigel Travis as CEO.
Travis, 58, most recently served as president and CEO of the Papa John’s pizza chain, which has more than 3,300 restaurants and annual sales of $2.1 billion in the U.S. and 29 international markets.
Travis will assume his new position on Jan. 6, replacing current CEO Jon Luther, who will remain executive chairman of the board. Luther joined Dunkin’ Brands in January 2003 as CEO and added the role of Chairman in 2006.
At Papa John’s, Travis led the company’s industry-leading comp sales, consistent earnings growth and excellent franchise relationships. In his four-year tenure at Papa John’s, the company’s online sales tripled through the innovative use of technology.
In addition, Travis helped position the company’s international business as a major growth platform and oversaw the successful rollout of several new products, including Papa’s Pan Pizza.
Prior to Papa John’s, Travis was with Blockbuster Inc. from 1994 to 2004, where he served in increasing roles of responsibility, including president and COO.
During that time, Blockbuster’s global sales increased more than 50% and the international business was developed to encompass 26 countries with revenues of $1.8 billion. Travis also built a worldwide franchise network of 300 franchisees in 15 countries with revenues of approximately $1 billion, and transitioned the company from a video rental store chain to a complete movie and game source.
Before that, he was with Burger King as senior vice president of human resources and later as managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.