Cinnabon names new chief operating officer

Atlanta-based Cinnabon Inc. has named Kat Cole, a veteran of Hooters of America, as chief operating officer. Cole is the former vice president of training and development at Hooters. Cole currently serves as chair of the board of directors for the Georgia Restaurant Association.

Cinnabon has 770 cinnamon roll bakeries worldwide and is part of Atlanta-based Focus Brands.

"Kat's ability to connect with people, both inside and outside the restaurant, makes her the perfect leader to evoke the kind of strategic growth, product and brand innovation that will make Cinnabon's next 25 years an even sweeter success," Cinnabon president Gary Bales said in a statement.