Mike Wesley has been appointed vice president of marketing at Maggiano’s Little Italy, the Italian food concept of Dallas-based Brinker International.

Brinker said that in his new role, Wesley will be instrumental in further amplifying and building the Maggiano’s brand as it enters its next era of classic Italian American dining, driving key marketing and promotional strategies.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Mike to Maggiano’s and know his experience will provide valuable insights to guide the brand toward new heights of growth and success as we craft this next chapter of the Maggiano’s story,” Dominique Bertolone, president, Maggiano’s Little Italy, and SVP, Brinker International, said in a statement. “We are certain that his visionary leadership style combined with his experience in driving brand relevance will enable us to elevate our marketing strategy in the months and years to come.”

The company said that Wesley’s passion and guidance will be key to the evolution of Maggiano’s culinary offerings and dining standards, which has been in motion since the appointment of Bertolone as Maggiano’s Little Italy’s president last year and, more recently, the addition of Chef Anthony Amoroso, as vice president of Innovation and Growth.

Spent 14 years at Yum! Brands

The company said that Wesley joins Maggiano’s after a 14-year tenure at Yum! Brands, where most recently he was VP of Brand Marketing, KFC U.S., strategizing key initiatives across the national calendar, including notable menu and brand innovations. Before Wesley joined the food service industry, he held brand positions at Procter & Gamble in the North America Oral Health and Global Home Care categories, where he led strategies to enhance brand awareness, loyalty, and market share.

The marketing exec, who grew up in the restaurant industry working alongside his father, says he has a “lifelong passion for hospitality.”

His experience at KFC allowed him to “partner with various disciplines in service of creating great products and experiences for our restaurants,” Wesley said in a statement. “This next phase of my career certainly builds upon that passion, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with all of the amazing Maggiano’s team members.”

Calling this “an exciting time at Maggiano’s,”  Wesley said he’s “looking forward to working with the team to continue building upon the great progress they have made, while finding new opportunities to celebrate this iconic Italian American brand.”

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