John C. Cywinski

Biography

 Mr. John C. Cywinski has been President of Applebee's International, Inc. at DineEquity, Inc. since March 9, 2017. Mr. Cywinski is responsible for the overall strategic direction for all functional areas of Applebee’s. Mr. Cywinski served as an Executive Vice President of Strategic Innovation & Marketing at Brinker International, Inc. since January 23, 2017 until March 2017. Mr. Cywinski served as an Executive Vice President of Strategic Innovation at Brinker International, Inc. from March 7, 2016 to January 23, 2017. Mr. Cywinski previously served as Applebee’s chief marketing officer from 2001 through 2006, focusing on all facets of the Applebee’s brand including, marketing, culinary and menu strategies and spearheaded innovative initiatives like Applebee’s Carside To Go, a five-year alliance with Weight Watchers and the “Eatin’ Good In The Neighborhood” ad campaign. Mr. Cywinski served as General Manager of KFC Business In The U.S. at Yum! Brands, Inc. He served as an Executive Vice President of Applebee's International, Inc. from January 5, 2004 to July 31, 2006 and served as its Chief Marketing Officer from July 2001 to July 31, 2006. He served as Consultant of Applebee's International, Inc. from July 31, 2006 to October 2006. He served as the President of KFC U.S. He served as Senior Vice President of Applebee's International, Inc. from July 2001 to January 2004. He served as Vice President of Brand Strategy for McDonald's Corporation from April 1999 to July 2001. From October 1996 to April 1999, he served as the President of Buena Vista Pictures Marketing, the motion picture division of The Walt Disney Company. He served as Vice President of U.S. Marketing for Burger King Corporation, where he served various positions of increasing responsibility from 1989 to 1996. He started his career with the Leo Burnett Advertising Agency in 1984. Mr. Cywinski holds a bachelor’s degree in Management and Marketing from the University of Notre Dame.

Research Interest

 Food and Nutrition