Dunkin’ Brands Group named Jonathan Biggs vice president, operations for Baskin-Robbins U.S. & Canada and Rick Gestring, vice president, operating system and restaurant experience for its Dunkin chain. In a related announcement, the company also named Tom Manchester, senior vice president, integrated marketing for Dunkin’ U.S.
In his new role, Biggs assumes operational responsibility for more than 2,600 Baskin-Robbins shops in the U.S. and Canada. Biggs joined Dunkin’ Brands in 2008 and has assumed increasing responsibility on the Dunkin’ U.S. operations team. Over the past 10 years, his roles have included field operations and new market entry for western expansion, and leading brand initiatives across technology, product and equipment platforms. Prior to Dunkin’ Brands, Biggs worked at Southern Company as a project engineer, managing teams and large-scale projects within the energy sector.
As VP of operating systems and restaurant experience for Dunkin’, Gestring will have responsibility for developing, implementing, managing and continuously improving the restaurant management systems, equipment, procedures and tools. Gestring joins Dunkin’ after nearly a decade in multiple roles at Arby’s Restaurant Group, most recently as vice president, restaurant experience. His background also includes leadership positions at Peet’s Coffee, Aramark, Starbucks, Don Pablo’s and Taco Bell.
In his new role, Manchester will have responsibility for culinary innovation, among other areas.