Bloomin' Brands drafts industry vet for CIO role
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Bloomin' Brands will add Rafael Sanchez to its leadership team as SVP and CIO, effective June 30, the company said Tuesday.
The executive most recently served as SVP of IT at Atlanta-headquartered Davidson Hospitality Group. He also held senior technology leadership roles at Six Flags, Feld Entertainment, Carnival Corporation and Burger King.
Sanchez's appointment comes less than a year after the company elevated SVP of Technology Gagan Sinha to the CIO role. Sinha served as SVP of IT at fast-food franchise company Inspire Brands prior to joining Bloomin' Brands, which operates Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, in April 2024.
The restaurant industry is doubling down on technology at a time when flagging consumer spending and trade policy uncertainty are taking a bite out of the bottom line.
Restaurant chains had one of the worst quarters since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to kick off 2025, according to Restaurant Dive.
Bloomin' Brands executives touted the company's efforts to use AI and a new point of sale system to improve customer and employee experience across its four casual dining chains, during a May earnings call.
The company's new CIO has experience beefing up hospitality operations technologies, Bloomin' Brands CEO Mike Spanos said in the announcement. 'Rafael has a strong history in out-of-home entertainment and restaurants,' said Spanos. 'He is a strong leader that focuses on the team members and guests.'
Spanos' appointment adds to a growing list of IT leadership changes, marking the annual midyear tech executive shuffle.
McDonald's announced a role swap last week between U.S. CIO Whitney McGinnis and Valerie Ashbaugh, SVP, commercial products and platforms. Ascent Hospitality Management, which is responsible for Huddle House and Perkins, welcomed a new tech chief earlier this month. In May, Fat Brands tapped Jack in the Box CIO and SVP Drew Martin as its IT chief.
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