Pat O’Toole joins Unleashed Brands as CMO, bringing expertise from Burger King & PepsiCo to drive growth in youth enrichment franchises.
In a significant leadership move, Pat O’Toole, former chief marketing officer (CMO) of Burger King, has joined Unleashed Brands as its new CMO, the company announced on Thursday.
With over a decade of experience in brand marketing, O’Toole is set to lead the marketing strategies for Unleashed Brands, which oversees more than 1,300 franchises dedicated to youth enrichment. The company, founded in 2021, operates well-known brands such as Urban Air Adventure Park, The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning, and Water Wings Swim School.
“I am thrilled to join Unleashed Brands and contribute to its mission of building world-class brands that shape the next generation,” O’Toole said. “Unleashed Brands is making a real difference in the lives of children and families, and I look forward to helping expand that impact and drive meaningful growth across our brands.”
O’Toole’s Legacy at Burger King
Before transitioning to Unleashed Brands, O’Toole played a pivotal role at Burger King, where he served as CMO for two years. During his tenure, he was instrumental in increasing customer traffic and accelerating sales growth, spearheading the company’s “Reclaim the Flame” strategy.
The initiative, launched in September 2023, involved a substantial $400 million investment over two years. This included $150 million allocated for advertising and $250 million for technological enhancements, kitchen upgrades, and restaurant remodels to improve the overall customer experience.
A Wealth of Experience in Brand Marketing
Prior to his time at Burger King, O’Toole served as CMO for PepsiCo’s Mountain Dew brand and held various leadership roles at PepsiCo for nearly 15 years. His career began at General Electric, where he worked as a marketing manager before transitioning into the beverage and QSR industries.
Michael Browning, Jr., founder and CEO of Unleashed Brands, expressed enthusiasm about O’Toole’s appointment. “Pat brings a wealth of experience in brand strategy, innovation, and franchise marketing leadership, making him a valuable addition to our leadership team,” Browning stated. “Marketing is at the core of Unleashed Brands’ growth, and we have ambitious goals for 2025 that rely on leveraging data-driven insights and innovative strategies to move our brands forward.”
With O’Toole at the helm of marketing, Unleashed Brands is poised to expand its impact in the youth enrichment sector, further strengthening its mission to help children learn, play, and grow.
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