---
title: "Fast Casual: Cole Named Focus Brands President and COO; Damico Named Naf Naf CEO"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/78cf60ad-507e-438d-99d8-f78162a47ef2
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/fast-casual-cole-named-focus-brands-president-and-coo-damico-named-naf-naf-ceo-2703063
category: "Fast casual"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Fast casual"
topics: ["Finance & M&A","People"]
published: 2017-06-20T14:09:09.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:32:08.934Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/1ef5dd17c801b3b0de7d56f58c27a6389763.jpg
---

# Fast Casual: Cole Named Focus Brands President and COO; Damico Named Naf Naf CEO

**TL;DR:** Kat Cole has been named president and COO of Focus Brands, overseeing domestic franchise brands including Auntie Anne's and Cinnabon. Paul Damico, former North American President, has been named CEO of Naf Naf Grill.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2017-06-20. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/fast-casual-cole-named-focus-brands-president-and-coo-damico-named-naf-naf-ceo-2703063).*

## Story

Focus Brands announced a new role and a current employee will be taking on the position. According to a recent Fast Casual article, Global Channels Group President Kat Cole will now be the president and COO of Focus Brands and will start overseeing the company’s domestic franchise brands including Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, McAlister’s Deli, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Schlotsky’s. The previous North American President, Paul Damico, was named CEO of Naf Naf Grill.

"Those who have ever met Kat know that she is a uniquely skilled leader. She's purpose driven and has the demonstrated ability to bridge the worlds of franchising, large global brands, innovation and entrepreneurship with her collaborative management style," said Focus Brands CEO Steve DeSutter.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- executive appointment (topic)
- leadership change (topic)
- franchise management (topic)
- Cinnabon (company)
- McAlister's Deli (company)
- Auntie Anne's (company)
- FOCUS Brands (company)
- Moe's Southwest Grill (company)
- Carvel (company)
- Paul Damico (person)

---
Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/fast-casual-cole-named-focus-brands-president-and-coo-damico-named-naf-naf-ceo-2703063). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/78cf60ad-507e-438d-99d8-f78162a47ef2).