Stephen England Appointed COO of OHG Brands
Restaurant veteran Stephen England has been named chief operating officer of OHG Brands, tasked with leading franchise growth for its portfolio of 12 concepts including Fatburger and Johnny Rockets.
Stephen England has joined OHG Brands as chief operating officer. The appointment is a strategic move to lead the company's post-bankruptcy franchise growth.
England brings three decades of restaurant experience to the role. He most recently served as senior vice president of operations at Subway for over six years. His career also includes previous roles at Dunkin' Brands and Burger King.
Brand Portfolio Expansion
OHG Brands was established earlier this year as a remnant of Fat Brands. The company, formerly known as Fat Brands, now manages a portfolio of 12 restaurant concepts. Its key brands include Fatburger, Round Table Pizza, and Johnny Rockets.
The firm is actively pursuing growth through co-branding partnerships. In October, it expanded through a co-branded unit of Great American Cookies and Marble Slab Creamery in Tennessee. That same month, a co-branded Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express location opened in Texas.
Franchise Growth Strategy
OHG Brands is focused on scaling its franchise operations through strategic co-branding deals. The company is working to grow all 12 of its concepts using this model. Another brand, Pretzelmaker, expanded its footprint with a new location inside a Great Wolf Lodge in California in October.
Leadership Team Build-Out
Stephen England's hiring is part of a broader executive team build-out. The company has also appointed several other key leaders to support its franchise-focused strategy.
| Executive | Role | Experience Background |
|---|---|---|
| Kelly Hansen | Chief Marketing Officer | Over 20 years at Raising Cane's, Tavistock Restaurant Collection, Lemonade Restaurant Group |
| Jose Ponce | Chief of Staff & Head of Human Resources | Over 15 years at Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes |
| Artie Jones | General Counsel | Previously worked at BJ's Wholesale Club |
Overall oversight of OHG Brands falls to Streetlight Ventures, a firm founded by Anthony Ackil in 2019. The company emerged from a Fat Brands bankruptcy process that led to four sales totalling roughly one billion dollars. Its stated focus is on building a world-class franchise organization dedicated to continuous improvement and franchisee success.
Stephen England said: "I am thrilled to join OHG Brands and look forward to working with the team to build a world-class franchise organization."
