KFC and Paytronix name new executives

Paul Tuscano, Irene Chang Britt and Jeff Hindman. | Photos courtesy of KFC, First Watch and Paytronix.

Last week, KFC appointed Paul Tuscano to the role of chief digital officer. KFC said that the new role was created to further drive digital priorities. Tuscano joins the chicken chain from Marriot where he worked in product management. Most recently he held the role of vice president of onsight and digital products. Before Marriot, Tuscano worked with Verizon Wireless for ten years, where he developed new digital and wireless products.

“Paul’s impressive career has focused on providing customers with an optimal experience, and his passion for the customer journey makes him the right leader to take our digital business to the next level,” said Tarun Lal, president of KFC U.S.

Paytronix, a provider of loyalty software for restaurants, named Jeff Hindman as its new CEO this week. Hindman has been a member of Paytronix’s board since last year and was previously executive vice president and chief revenue officer at Snap One, a maker of smart electronics. Before that, he spent eight years at NCR in a variety of roles. He replaces CEO and co-founder Andrew Robbins, who helped start the company more than 20 years ago. Robbins will now become Paytronix’s executive chairman. The Newton, Mass.-based company said the change will help accelerate its growth as loyalty evolves.

First Watch has appointed Irene Chang Britt to its Board of Directors. Chang Britt brings a wealth of experience as a board director to the role. Chang Britt currently serves on the boards of various businesses in industries such as retail, CPG, e-commerce and lifestyle. She is on the board of pet healthcare innovation company IDEXX Laboratories as well as retailer Victoria’s Secret and Co.

“Irene is a leader with a long track record of driving transformative growth, particularly at global food and beverage brands, and she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our board. We look forward to her invaluable insights and advice as we continue to scale the First Watch brand,”said Ralph Alvarez, chairman of the Board of Directors of First Watch.

Ordering and payment provider Square has hired Ming-Tai Huh as the general manager of its restaurant division. Huh brings a unique combination of restaurant and technology experience to the role. He founded a restaurant loyalty program called Chump and later spent more than six years at Toast, where he rose to VP of product management. And since 2011, he has been a partner in Cambridge Street Hospitality Group, an operator of six restaurants in the Boston area. He is expected to help Square make a push upmarket.

MINA Group has named Eric Martino president. Martino has more than 25 years of hospitality industry experience including his most recent role of chief operating officer of José Andrés Group. Martino also has culinary experience. He was classically trained as a chef at Carrabba’s, where he also became a general manager and an owner.

Allyson Park was named chief communications officer of Walmart. She comes to Walmart with experience with companies such as Yum! Brands and the Coca-Cola Company. Park has experience leading corporate communications, global reputation and measurement, government relations and social impact.

Also, this week Cracker Barrel said Sandra Cochran will step down as CEO and Julie Felss Masino will take over.

In addition, the president of Maggiano’s Little Italy is retiring at the end of August.

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