Arby’s Restaurant Group has announced that Nils Okeson has rejoined Arby’s as General Counsel and Chief Development Officer. Okeson will also serve as a member of the brand’s Leadership Team.
“We are thrilled that Nils has returned to the Arby’s brand,” said Hala Moddelmog, President of Arby’s. “His ability to provide leadership through transformative corporate transactions combined with his experience at the operating company level with Arby’s dating back to 2005 makes him a great addition to our team as we chart a course for growth.”
Okeson added, “There are many exciting things going on at Arby’s right now under Roark Capital Group’s ownership. Hala has put together a terrific new management team and I am honored to become part of it. The system is gaining traction with new initiatives, and we are poised for sustainable growth in sales and profits for the benefit of our franchisees and our new owners. Of course, it all starts with a laser focus on the customer experience at Arby’s restaurants.”
Okeson originally joined Arby’s in 2005 as General Counsel, and in 2007 was also given the General Counsel role at Arby’s parent corporation, Triarc Companies. In these roles, he helped to lead the company through a number of significant M&A and financing transactions as Triarc evolved into a pure play restaurant company with Arby’s and then combined with Wendy’s International, Inc. to form Wendy’s/Arby’s Group in 2008. At Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, Okeson assumed additional responsibilities as General Counsel of Wendy’s. Wendy’s and Arby’s separated in 2011 when Arby’s was acquired by Roark Capital Group. Okeson now returns to Arby’s with broader industry experience and added responsibilities, including business development.
Before joining Arby’s in 2005, Okeson was a partner at Alston & Bird LLP in Atlanta, Georgia where he specialized in corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions and securities law. While at Alston & Bird, Okeson was listed in Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America, and Georgia Super Lawyers. He also served as a member of the Advisory Board of the Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware.
Okeson joined Alston & Bird in 1990 after graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, with Distinction, from the University of Virginia.
Atlanta-based Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. is the second largest quick-service sandwich chain in the U.S. with more than 3,500 restaurants system wide. In addition to its classic Roast Beef and Beef ‘n Cheddar sandwiches, slow-roasted and thinly sliced in store daily, Arby’s is also known for its deli-style Market Fresh line of sandwiches and salads, Curly Fries and Jamocha Shakes. In 2011, Arby’s introduced Ultimate Angus, a premium Angus beef menu line featured in sandwiches. To learn more about Arby’s, please visit www.arbys.com.
