FOCUS Brands appoints hospitality veteran Sean Wooden to executive team

In his new role, Wooden will oversee the organization’s European, Middle Eastern, and African footprint.

FOCUS Brands, the parent company of household names like Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, and Jamba, has announced the appointment of Sean Wooden to vice president, managing director of Focus Brands International.

In this role, Wooden will oversee Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EUMEA). His vast management experience from within the hospitality space, coupled with his knowledge of European and Asia Pacific markets, made him the ideal choice for the position.

“With confidence, I can say that Sean’s proficiency in brand management, franchising, and operations around the world will arm him with the necessary tools to conquer new challenges and play a pivotal role in reaching sizable expansion goals for several brands within the FOCUS Brands portfolio,” said Beto Guajardo, president, Focus Brands International.

Starting his career as head chef at Hilton Portsmouth in 1990, Wooden subsequently held a number of senior management roles including director of business development at one of Hilton’s largest convention properties, as well as several hotel general manager roles.

He soon elevated to senior director of brand performance support for the Hilton Hotels & Resorts and DoubleTree by Hilton portfolios across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Soon after, Wooden was given the opportunity to move to Asia Pacific as vice president, brand management, to form a regional team to implement the company’s global strategic initiatives.

To date, FOCUS Brands has a portfolio of more than 6,000 restaurants, cafes, ice cream shoppes, and bakeries in the U.S., District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and over 50 additional countries around the world.