---
title: "Focus Brands Appoints Jim Holthouser to CEO Role"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/c971f0e5-8ef8-450b-8061-4201b1865fe4
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/focus-brands-appoints-jim-holthouser-to-ceo-role-2712360
category: "Restaurants"
industry: "Restaurants"
topics: ["Finance & M&A","People"]
published: 2020-02-20T22:17:49.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T02:28:28.065Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/021e81fc536f0612d15452c4c5f5a8d92596.jpg
---

# Focus Brands Appoints Jim Holthouser to CEO Role

**TL;DR:** Focus Brands has appointed Jim Holthouser as CEO, succeeding Steve DeSutter. Holthouser previously served as executive vice president of global brands, marketing and loyalty at Hilton Worldwide.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2020-02-20. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/focus-brands-appoints-jim-holthouser-to-ceo-role-2712360).*

## Story

**Focus Brands, the parent company of franchise brands such as Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba Juice, Moe’s Southwest Grill and more, has appointed Jim Holthouser to the role of CEO,** **according to a Nation’s Restaurant News report****.**

**Holthouser succeeds Steve DeSutter, who is retiring. Holthouser most recently served as the executive vice president of global brands, marketing and loyalty at Hilton Worldwide, according to the article.**

**“Focus Brands is an outstanding company, recognized globally for its iconic brands, and I am pleased to take on this role at such an exciting time in the company’s history,” Holthouser said in a statement, according to the article. “I look forward to working with the Focus Brands team, franchisees, and suppliers to continue growing our leading foodservices concepts, enhancing our customers’ experience and delivering value to all of our partners.”**

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- leadership change (topic)
- ceo appointment (topic)
- Cinnabon (company)
- Auntie Anne's (company)
- FOCUS Brands (company)
- Moe's Southwest Grill (company)
- Carvel (company)
- Jamba Juice (company)
- franchise brands (topic)
- Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (company)

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Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/focus-brands-appoints-jim-holthouser-to-ceo-role-2712360). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/c971f0e5-8ef8-450b-8061-4201b1865fe4).