COLUMBUS, OHIO – Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams announced Stacy Peterson will become the company’s next chief executive officer. Peterson will begin in her new role in December, replacing outgoing chief executive officer John Lowe, who announced this past June his plans to step down.
Most recently the chief revenue officer for Wingstop, Ms. Peterson described herself as a “raving fan of the Jeni’s brand for years,” identifying Wildberry Lavender as her favorite flavor.
“I’m excited to join Team Jeni’s and help carry on their commitment to making better ice creams and bringing people together,” Ms. Peterson said. “What Jeni (Britton, the company’s founder) created, with quality as the company’s North Star and a tremendous focus on customer experience and a team commitment to be a force for good, will continue to be what differentiates this company from our competition.”
At Wingstop, Ms. Peterson also served as the company’s chief experience officer and chief digital and technology officer during her more than nine years with the restaurant brand. She helped lead the company’s digital and marketing transformation, and during her time at Wingstop, the restaurant chain grew from 550 locations to 1,900.
Previously in her career, Ms. Peterson took on leadership roles at Service King, FedEx Office and CBRE.
Jeni’s chief executive officer for 13 years, Mr. Lowe will remain on the company’s board as Ms. Peterson takes over.
“I’m so excited to have Stacy lead our team,” Mr. Lowe said. “The company will benefit from her thoughtful approach and deep expertise in fast growth brands. She loves helping people succeed and I’m excited to see her coach and mentor the 1,800 members of Team Jeni’s. I know her leadership will help ensure we are a force for good for years to come. And I’m excited that Stacy, her husband and boys will join our Columbus community.”
Jeni Britton, a James Beard Award-winning ice cream maker, founded the company in Columbus, Ohio, in 2002. The company’s ice creams are made with direct and fair-trade ingredients and fresh milk from dairy farms.