Burger Chains Hires Chief Customer Officer

Wendy’s Co. (Dublin, Ohio) has hired Tariq Hassan to the newly created role of Chief Marketing and Customer Growth Officer, effective immediately. Hassam’s career includes a stint with McDonald’s in a similar title from 2021-25; since then, according to his LinkedIn profile, he has served in advisory roles to an AI-centric enterprise, a business incubator and a marketing agency. Earlier in his career, he worked for such companies as Petco, HP, Bank of America and Omnicon.

“Tariq’s appointment is another meaningful step in returning Wendy’s to profitable growth,” said CEO Bob Wright, who returned to take the reins at the 7100-unit chain in May. “He is a proven brand and team builder with a distinctive ability to connect culture, technology and consumer insight to drive measurable growth. He has demonstrated the impact that highly effective marketing, digital activation, menu innovation and culturally relevant brand engagement can have on restaurant performance and customer loyalty. He will be instrumental in sourcing and developing talent and building new capabilities in the organization to help Wendy’s recapture its position as the quality leader in the QSR industry.”

Said Hassan: “My focus will be on reigniting that passionate connection with our brand to show up more powerfully in every experience, everywhere our fans meet us. Working alongside Bob, the leadership team, our franchisees and restaurant teams, I see enormous opportunity to reshape how we tell this story, starting with the food itself, to drive growth for our customers, our franchisees and our shareholders.”

Lindsay Radkoski, who has served as Chief Marketing Officer, U.S., since 2024, will depart the organization after a transition period with Hassan over the coming weeks.