SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Orion Food Systems LLC has announced that Steve Watkins has been promoted to chief executive officer of Orion Food Systems, the international food service provider of leading brands for convenience stores and other retailers such as Hot Stuff Pizza.
Watkins, who has been a significant member of the Orion management team for the past 25 years, was most recently the company's president, chief financial officer and director.
Watkins began his career at Orion as a financial analyst for (then Orion parent company) Schwan's Sales Enterprises, and was part of the original management team that launched Orion Food Systems. He has held management positions in sales and marketing, national and international franchising and finance and accounting. He was instrumental in facilitating Orion's master franchise agreement in the Middle East, and was managing director for the company's international presence in both the United Kingdom and France.
"Orion Food Systems pioneered the concept of developing high-quality foodservice products and brands in c-stores, on military bases and in other high-traffic locations almost a quarter-century ago," said Watkins, "I had the privilege to be part of that initiative that laid the foundation for the company, and am very excited about leading an incredibly talented team who will take Orion, our franchise partners and customers to the next level of foodservice success."
Orion franchises and/or licenses Hot Stuff Pizza concepts in more than 1,000 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.
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