IRVINE, CALIF. — The hot dog quick-service chain, Wienerschnitzel has added Doug Koob to its executive team. As chief development officer, Koob will oversee the company’s business development and sales teams for domestic and international growth, real estate and restaurant design and construction.

Koob spent more than 40 years in the hospitality business before joining the Wienerschnitzel team. He started as the leader of Starbucks’ business development teams in the United States and Europe spending 20 years with the company before moving to First Watch as a vice president of Concept Development. He then served as chief experience officer and vice president of operations for Asian Box. Most recently, Koob founded Circle Alliances, a leading contracting and consulting company that has served household name brands like MOD Pizza, Chipotle, Stumptown Coffee and more.

“There are so many things that drew me toward Wienerschnitzel, but it was first and foremost the people behind the brand,” Koob said. “This is a concept that has 60 years of an incredible culture at its fingertips — it’s a family business that has transcended the QSR space and now lives as an iconic pillar of the hot dog segment. I’m so thrilled to have the opportunity to take what I’ve learned over my career — from being a 16-year-old team member at McDonald’s to now, and truly usher in an era of widespread growth for a brand where the potential is sky-high. I can’t emphasize enough how fortunate I am to be joining this amazing group — who we are now dubbing the Global Development Team — to grow this brand to its fullest extent.”

Koob will start immediately, refining the franchise development process from the first inquiry to the grand opening day. Also, he will use his expertise in international development to place Wienerschnitzel’s brand in key markets across the world.

“This team has big aspirations for where Wienerschnitzel is headed, and we’re putting a lot of energy into that starting from day one,” he added.

“I’ve had a narrow focus on finding the perfect fit for a chief development officer at Wienerschnitzel, and after meeting with Doug, it was extremely clear that he was meant to join our team,” said J.R. Galardi, chief executive officer of Galardi Group Inc., the parent company of Wienerschnitzel. “We’re at a pivotal time with the brand as we’re now poised to elevate our growth to the next level, both in key US markets and internationally, and Doug’s team-first mindset is going to make that a reality. I look forward to watching him flourish as part of our Galardi family.”

Wienerschnitzel operates 350 locations throughout 10 states with 50 units in various stages of development across the United States and further expansion plans underway internationally.