Eatontown, NJ-based New World Restaurant Group (NWRG) has announced that Max Craig, who was until recently CFO for the Taco Bell unit of PepsiCo/Tricon Global Restaurants, has joined the company as CFO.

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The company also announced that it has promoted Paul J. B. Murphy III, executive VP of its Einstein/Noah business unit, to COO for the entire group. NWRG additionally named Richard R. Lovely, a former Pepsico/KFC and First USA human resources executive, as chief personnel officer, a newly created position.


“We are very excited about the appointments of these foodservice industry professionals,” said Anthony Wedo, NWRG chairman, president and CEO: “These underscore how New World is building both a world class executive team and a strong operating platform.”


As CFO, Craig is responsible for the company’s finance, accounting, strategic planning, compliance, treasury, risk management and information technology functions. The Laguna Hills, CA resident is a veteran of the foodservice industry. He joined Pepsico Food Systems’ finance department in 1980 and rose through the ranks before being appointed CFO in 1997.


Murphy, 47, in his newly created corporate level position of COO, assumes responsibility for day-to-day operations of all 761 company-owned, franchised and licensed stores across NWRG’s six brands.

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“Paul’s appointment represents a consolidation of operational responsibility for all six brands,” said Wedo. “We strongly believe that this will help facilitate the growth of our Manhattan Bagel, Chesapeake Bagel and New World Coffee brands into the quick casual segment.” Murphy will be taking over responsibility for those brands from New World Coffee/Manhattan Bagel President and COO William Rianhard, who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities.


Lovely, 43, as CPO is responsible for the human resource function, including organisational development and compensation and benefits, across the company’s six brands. He joins the company with over 18 years of human resources and administrative management experience primarily in the foodservice and financial services industries.

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