Modern Restaurant Concepts, which owns Qdoba, Modern Market Eatery and Lemonade, has hired John Cywinski as CEO.
Prior to joining Modern Restaurant Concepts, Cywinski served as president of Applebee’s Grill & Bar for six years. He was also president of KFC from 2010 to 2014 while at Yum Brands and spent four years as a franchisee, owning several Dunkin’ Donuts and Sonic restaurants in Chicago. Earlier in his career, Cywinski was president of Buena Vista Pictures Marketing for the Motion Picture Group of the Walt Disney Studios.
“Qdoba is exceptionally well-positioned, as the number two brand in the Mexican fast casual category, with positive comp sales for 11 of the past 13 years, very attractive restaurant-level margins, broad consumer appeal, and the capacity to double in size over the next decade,” Cywinski said in a company press release. “Modern Market and Lemonade represent contemporary growth engines uniquely positioned in the made-from-scratch, better-for-you, fast casual space. They offer truly elite sales volumes and margins, with a remarkably passionate and loyal guest following in their initial geographies of Colorado, Texas, Arizona, and California. All three brands provide best-in-class opportunities for distinguished, proven, and culture-driven franchise partners to expand their portfolios.”
Adam Waglay, co-founder and co-CEO of Butterfly, the majority owner of Modern Restaurant Concepts, said Cywinski is an exceptional operator and executive with a track record of success in the restaurant space.
“His expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we accelerate the company’s growth, and we’re incredibly honored to have someone of his caliber join the team,” he said in the release.
Keith Guilbault, prior co-CEO of Modern Restaurant Concepts, is departing to pursue other opportunities.
“We would like to thank Keith Guilbault for the seven years he spent at the helm of Qdoba stewarding the company through two transactions as well as the COVID crisis,” Butterfly Principal Francesco D’Arcangelo said in the release. “We believe that the business is well-positioned for success, in large part due to Keith’s leadership. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Rob McColgan, prior co-CEO of Modern Restaurant Concepts, will remain with the company as president of Modern Market and Lemonade.
Modern Restaurant Concepts has 800 units across its three brands.
