A number of restaurant companies have brought in new executives to expand licensing revenues. Examples:
- Johnny Rockets promoted James Walker to President Development & Operations to grow the Johnny Rockets at Home business, which licenses the brand for consumer products.
- At Focus Brands, Cinnabon President Kat Cole was promoted to Group President of the parent company with a mandate to seek new licensees for restaurant brands including Moe’s Southwest Grill, Schlotzsky’s, McAlister’s Deli, and Auntie Anne’s.
Retail sales of merchandise based on restaurant licenses grew 3.1% to $4.4 billion in 2013, according to TLL’s Annual Licensing Business Survey, and account for 16.8% of all corporate trademark licensing.