News

Jack in the Box beefs up board, adding Birch, Gainor

May 29, 2019

Jack in the Box has grown its board by two members this week with the additions of two longtime restaurant industry veterans, Jean Birch, former Papa John's Board chair and Papa Murphy's CEO, and John Gainor, former International Dairy Queen president and CEO, according to a news release. 

The 2,200-plus store chain made the moves after recently opting to undertake refinancing rather than selling the brand. The chain's board now has a total of 11 directors.

"Jean has gained valuable insight on restaurant operations and franchising during nearly three decades of leadership in this industry while John is highly regarded as an industry leader in franchising, customer service and brand development," Jack in the Box Board Chair and CEO Lenny Comma said in the release. "We welcome them to our Board and look forward to their contributions as we continue to execute our long-term strategic plan while balancing the interests of all of our stakeholders, including our franchisees, customers, employees and shareholders."

Birch has held leadership positions at Darden Restaurants Inc., Cosi Inc. and was president of IHOP Restaurants Inc., a division of DineEquity Inc., among numerous other brand leadership roles. Gainor also held leadership roles with Burger King Distribution Services, ProSource Inc., AmeriServe and as a founding partner with Consolidated Distribution Corporation, a leading foodservice redistributor.