Food People: Dunkin' Brands, Grocery Manufacturer's Association, Arby's, Coke

Dunkin’ Replaces CEO Luther with Papa John’s Chief
The Associated Press says that the resume of Dunkin’ Brands’ new CEO Nigel Travis “reads like a list of diet don’ts – pizza, ice cream and doughnuts.”

Travis, 58, will replace Jon Luther, the man credited with turning Dunkin’ Brands around, in the new year. Papa John’s is looking for a replacement.

Luther, 65, will remain executive chairman of Dunkin’, which operates more than 14,000 franchises in 44 countries, and Baskin-Robbins, which includes about 6,000 ice cream shops. Dunkin’ is owned by a consortium of private-equity firms in 2006. [Source: AP]

Bailey Named CEO of Grocery Manufacturer’s Association
Pamela Bailey, formerly the head of the Personal Care Products Council, will take over the packaged-foods trade group in January.

Prior to the PCPC, Bailey was CEO of the Advanced Medical Technology Association. Further back she headed President Ronald Reagan’s Office of Communication Planning. [Source: Supermarket News]

Arby’s Names Marketing Head
Stephen Davis, formerly the chief marketing officer of Heineken North America, has been named to the same position at Arby’s Restaurant Group, owned by Wendy’s Arby’s Group.

He replaces Cheryl Barre, who resigned earlier this year. Davis has also worked for Pepsico. [Source: Atlanta Business Journal]

Coke Confirms Kent as New Chairman
As expected, Coke CEO Muhtar Kent will succeed Neville Isdell as chairman of the beverages giant. The succession will take place in April, after Coke’s annual shareholder meeting. [Source: Reuters]

Jones Soda Names Board Member
Mills Brown, a founder of MainSpring Capital Group, a real estate developer and investor, has been named a director of the Seattle soft-drinks company. [Source: Jones Soda]