Global restaurant chain Johnny Rockets is pleased to announce the appointment of Joel Bulger as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). With more than 20 years of relevant experience in the restaurant industry, Bulger brings extensive marketing and brand development expertise to the role. His executive leadership will be instrumental in growing and protecting the all-American restaurant brand. Prior to joining Johnny Rockets, Bulger held leadership positions with restaurant brands that include Church’s Chicken, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and Wendy’s International, as well as leading national promotions for Coca-Cola.
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer John Fuller, Bulger will lead the existing team of marketing executives in the areas of local restaurant marketing and corporate communications. He is responsible for driving the overall Johnny Rockets marketing strategy that will build brand positioning through field marketing, public relations, guest services, agency management, new menu item launches and social media, both domestically and internationally.
An industry leader, Bulger comes to Johnny Rockets with a rich history in the restaurant industry. As Vice President of Brand Marketing at Moe’s Southwest Grill in Atlanta, Bulger led the marketing and creative for 420 restaurants. After his active role in transitioning the Moe’s Southwest Grill brand, Bulger accepted a position with Church’s Chicken as Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing where he was responsible for national advertising, menu and product development and creative strategy for the 1,250-unit brand.
During his tenure at Darden Restaurants, Inc. Bulger worked on both the Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse brands, holding roles as Senior Director of Brand Marketing, Brand Director of New Business Development and Director of Field Marketing. Bulger also worked with Wendy’s International, Inc. as the Director of Marketing in the Southeast Region, responsible for over 2,500 restaurants.
Bulger began his marketing career with Fricks/Firestone Advertising in Atlanta, where he worked with national clients, including United Healthcare, Royal Oak Charcoal and AFC Enterprises, Inc. He graduated from University of Georgia with a B.A. in Journalism and Advertising before acquiring his M.B.A. in International Business from the Stetson School of Business and Economics (Mercer University) in Atlanta.
Founded in 1986, Johnny Rockets currently operates over 300 restaurants in 26 countries. The brand is continuing to expand and enter new markets and countries while maintaining its core menu and values.
posted by: Eric Fujimori
8/1/14
