Papa John’s Appoints Kevin Vasconi as Chief Digital and Technology Officer

Papa John’s International, Inc. has announced the appointment of Kevin Vasconi as its new Chief Digital and Technology Officer, effective immediately. Vasconi, an experienced leader in enterprise technology, joins the company after serving as Chief Information Officer at The Wendy’s Company, where he played a key role in transforming their digital operations and tripling its e-commerce business over three years.

In his new role, Vasconi will oversee the development and execution of Papa John’s digital and technology strategies, spanning customer-facing platforms, restaurant technology, and corporate systems. His responsibilities include enterprise architecture, data analytics, information security, and driving scalable, cost-effective technology solutions for the global franchise network. Collaborating closely with marketing and operations teams, he will focus on enhancing customer and employee experiences through technological innovation.

“Kevin and I worked together at The Wendy’s Company, where I saw first-hand his ability to lead technology innovation that delivered significant impact for customers, team members, and franchisees,” said Todd Penegor, President and CEO of Papa John’s. “His leadership in the QSR industry has been widely recognized, and I look forward to his contributions as we continue to grow in the digital space.”

Prior to joining The Wendy’s Company, Vasconi held senior roles at Domino’s, including EVP and CIO, where he led the development and expansion of its ecommerce operations both domestically and internationally. His career in technology spans over 35 years, with notable positions at Ford Motor Company, Covisint LLC, Polk Global Automotive, and Stanley Black and Decker.

“I’m excited to join the team at Papa John’s and lead the company’s technology strategy,” said Vasconi. “With the increasing competition in the QSR digital space, I see significant opportunities ahead. I’m eager to work with the executive and technology teams to drive growth for the company.”

Vasconi will report to Penegor and serve on the Executive Leadership Team. In related leadership updates, Ravi Thanawala, Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed CFO and EVP, International, while Joe Sieve will now serve as Chief Restaurant and Global Development Officer, overseeing global expansion and restaurant operations.