The former Panera Bread executive has been tasked with increasing like-for-like sales, improving staff retention and generating ‘industry-leading’ revenue margin
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A Black Rock Coffee Bar in Hutto, Texas | Photo credit: Black Rock Coffee Bar
Oregon-based Black Rock Coffee Bar has appointed new CEO Mark Davis as the chain seeks to develop from an ‘emerging leader’ into a nationwide coffee chain.
The coffee chain currently operates 115 outlets across the US states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington. Black Rock plans to open at least 30 new stores a year and reach 200 by 2026.
In a press release, Black Rock Coffee Bar highlighted Davis’ success in achieving ‘exponential’ growth for multiple fast-casual concepts, including Panera Bread, where he served as Vice President Operations from 2004-2013, healthy fast-food concept Tokyo Joe’s and most recently Bagel Brands.
“We’re beyond excited to welcome Mark to our team, and we believe he will take the success we’ve already achieved to the next level. I have no doubt that Mark is going to rocket Black Rock from an emerging leader to full-blown nationwide sensation status. He’s the true personification of our brand ethos: grit, growth, gratitude and grace; and we can’t wait to see how he catapults us to the country’s top coffee spot,” said Jeff Hernandez, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Black Rock Coffee Bar.
Commenting on his appointment, Davis said he will accelerate the coffee chain’s growth by establishing ‘consistent processes and systems’ to increase same-store sales, drive staff retention and establish industry-leading revenue margin.
Black Rock Coffee Bar is the latest US coffee chain to announce a change in leadership this year.
Laxman Narasimhan began his tenure as Starbucks CEO in March 2023, assuming responsibility for the coffee chain’s 37,222 stores globally, including more than 16,000 in the US.
In May 2023, 340-store Shipley Do-Nuts appointed Flynn Dekker as its new CEO while JAB Holding-backed coffee and food-to-go Panera Brands promoted José Alberto Dueñas to CEO in the same month. The group manages nearly 3,900 Panera Bread, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Caribou Coffee stores.
Meanwhile, Christine Barone will take over as Dutch Bros CEO from Joth Ricci in January 2024.
Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons, which operates approximately 630 US stores, also reshuffled its leadership this year. Joshua Kobza became CEO of parent company Restaurant Brands International in March 2023 while Katerina Glyptis was announced as President of Tim Hortons US the following June.