---
title: "WKS Restaurant Group Promotes Jay Spongberg to President and COO"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/3f4ccd36-af30-41ee-aab2-be216e949106
source: "QSR Magazine"
original_url: https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/wks-restaurant-group-promotes-jay-spongberg-to-president-and-coo/
author: "Ben Coley"
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit","People"]
published: 2026-09-22T18:45:15.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T15:30:52.785Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1497366216548-37526070297c?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# WKS Restaurant Group Promotes Jay Spongberg to President and COO

**TL;DR:** WKS Restaurant Group has promoted Jay Spongberg to president and chief operating officer, a role that recognizes his 26-year tenure and significant contributions to the company. Jay Spongberg will continue to lead WKS operations while taking on broader responsibility across the organization.

*By Ben Coley, originally published in QSR Magazine on 2026-09-22. [Read the original](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/wks-restaurant-group-promotes-jay-spongberg-to-president-and-coo/).*

## Story

WKS Restaurant Group, one of the largest restaurant franchisees in the United States, announced today that Jay Spongberg has been promoted to president and chief operating officer. Roland Spongberg will continue to serve as chief executive officer.

Jay has been an integral part of WKS for 26 years and has held numerous leadership positions throughout his tenure, including property manager, vice president of development and chief operating officer for the past 16 years.

While serving as COO, Jay has provided strong leadership across WKS operations and played a critical role in the continued growth and success of the company and its brands. Throughout his tenure, he has worked closely with WKS’ brand partners and senior leadership teams, building strong relationships and bringing extensive operational experience and a deep understanding of the restaurant business to his role. As COO, he helped the company grow from 65 restaurants to 382.

As president and COO, Spongberg will continue to lead WKS operations while taking on broader responsibility across the organization. His promotion recognizes his significant contributions to WKS and the leadership he has demonstrated throughout his 26-year career with the company.

Roland Spongberg, chief executive officer of WKS Restaurant Group, stated that he is pleased to have Jay take on this expanded role, noting that Jay’s leadership, operational expertise and deep knowledge of WKS will continue to be invaluable as the company moves forward.

“I have had the opportunity to work alongside Jay for many years, and I have seen firsthand the impact he has had on WKS,” said Roland Spongberg. “I am excited to continue working with him in this expanded role and look forward to what we will accomplish together in the years ahead.”

## Entities

- QSR Magazine (publication)
- Multi-Unit (sector)
- Ben Coley (person)
- leadership change (topic)
- company growth (topic)
- WKS Restaurant Group (company)
- restaurant franchisee (topic)
- Jay Spongberg (person)
- Roland Spongberg (person)

---
Originally reported by Ben Coley, QSR Magazine (https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/wks-restaurant-group-promotes-jay-spongberg-to-president-and-coo/). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/3f4ccd36-af30-41ee-aab2-be216e949106).