---
title: "WOWorks Names James Walker Chief Growth Officer and Promotes Nolan Woods to Chief Operations Officer to Accelerate Franchise Growth"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/606d8bcc-6e70-43d5-a506-1470c2f86037
source: "Franchising.com"
original_url: https://www.franchising.com/news/20260528_woworks_names_james_walker_chief_growth_officer_and_promotes_nolan_woods_to.html
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
topics: ["People","Operations"]
published: 2026-05-28T12:00:00.000Z
modified: 2026-10-31T16:11:06.892Z
image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1555396273-367ea4eb4db5?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop
---

# WOWorks Names James Walker Chief Growth Officer and Promotes Nolan Woods to Chief Operations Officer to Accelerate Franchise Growth

**TL;DR:** WOWorks has named James Walker as Chief Growth Officer and promoted Nolan Woods to Chief Operations Officer to drive franchise growth. Walker will oversee franchise growth initiatives, while Woods will lead operations and training initiatives across all WOWorks brands.

*originally published in Franchising.com on 2026-05-28. [Read the original](https://www.franchising.com/news/20260528_woworks_names_james_walker_chief_growth_officer_and_promotes_nolan_woods_to.html).*

## Story

“We are thrilled to welcome James to our leadership team and to promote Nolan, who has demonstrated exceptional commitment as both a franchisee and an operator,” said WOWorks CEO Kelly Roddy. “James will be a game changer for us, helping to identify high-quality franchise partners to drive our growth, while Nolan’s operational expertise will ensure we deliver excellence to our guests every day. Together, they provide a powerful foundation for franchisee success and long-term growth.”

As Chief Growth Officer, Walker will oversee franchise growth initiatives across the portfolio, focusing on franchise recruitment. With extensive hospitality and retail leadership experience, Walker has held senior executive positions with brands including Nathan’s Famous, Baja Fresh, Cinnabon, and Subway. In his tenure as North American Vice President for Subway, he managed a large network while advancing initiatives in delivery, brand positioning, and operational growth. Walker’s career is highlighted by recognition on Nation’s Restaurant News’ “Power List.”

In his new role as Chief Operations Officer, Woods will lead operations and training initiatives across all WOWorks brands, with a focus on operations, training and development, and guest service. Previously a senior executive with WOWorks, Woods brings experience from McDonald’s and other hospitality concepts in key markets. His background includes overseeing growth initiatives and major transitions within franchise operations.

“Franchise development and franchisee success remain central to our growth strategy,” Roddy emphasized. “James brings unmatched experience in franchise sales and market expansion, while Nolan’s dual perspective as both an operator and a franchisee will enhance restaurant performance and franchise support across all six WOWorks brands.”

## Entities

- Franchising.com (publication)
- QSR (sector)
- franchise growth (topic)
- McDonald's (company)
- Subway (company)
- leadership team (topic)
- Cinnabon (company)
- WOWorks (company)
- Nathan's Famous (company)
- executive appointments (topic)
- Kelly Roddy (person)
- James Walker (person)

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Originally reported by Franchising.com (https://www.franchising.com/news/20260528_woworks_names_james_walker_chief_growth_officer_and_promotes_nolan_woods_to.html). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/606d8bcc-6e70-43d5-a506-1470c2f86037).