News

Long John Silver's hires Pizza Hut exec for COO spot

November 14, 2018

Long John Silver's has hired former Pizza Hut executive, Blain Shortreed, as COO, effective Jan. 1. 

Shortreed has more than 25 years of restaurant and franchise operation experience, most recently serving as managing director of Pizza Hut's Middle East/North Africa business, according to a press release. Previous to that he served as Pizza Hut USA vice president of operations, leading more than 6,000 restaurants and spearheading the brand's World Class Operations initiative.

"Long John Silver's is continuing the process of innovation and sharing our story with loyal customers," Long John Silver's CEO James O'Reilly said in the release. "Blain is a veteran in the quick-service restaurant industry and we know he'll be an asset to our brand as we continue to evolve."

Shortreed is joining the brand's leadership team at what the release describes as a "turning point."

This past March, Long John Silver's opened a newly designed flagship in Louisville, Kentucky, which offers the batter-dipped fish, chicken and shrimp the brand is known for, along with a new grilled seafood menu including fish tacos and salmon bowls paired with long grain rice. 

The brand plans "a significant expansion of grilled menu items in 2019," and Shortreed will play a critical role, according to the release.

"Long John Silver's has been a brand to watch over the last decade and the growth they've achieved is remarkable," Shortreed said in the release. "The executive team is steering the brand toward continued success and I look forward to becoming a part of their growth and innovation."

Long John Silver's has nearly 1,000 restaurants in the U.S.