• by Teresa Buyikian , May 16, 2024

Airport and mall pizza and stromboli staple Sbarro has a new head.

Today the chain announced the appointment of Mario Bojorquez as its new president, North America.

Bojorquez will work with the senior team to focus on “supporting company restaurants and franchisees on business expansion, operational execution and brand growth.”

Bojorquez joins the 650-unit chain after spending 11 years at Restaurant Brands International (RBI). He spent last four of those years as head of Asia-Pacific operations for Burger King, Popeyes, Tim Hortons and Firehouse Subs ,while based in Singapore.

An announcement credited Bojorquez with “guiding (RBI) through the pandemic, creating the infrastructure to support rapid restaurant expansion in existing and new countries, and [driving] operational improvements leading to… improved franchisee profitability.”

David Karam, Sbarro CEO and chairman of the board, praised Bojorquez’s  “strong people focus and industry expertise.” 

Bojorquez previously served as the head of marketing for Burger King Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) while based in Switzerland. His domestic experience includes serving as general manager of the Midwest division where he oversaw a portfolio of 1,500 Burger Kings. Before RBI, Bojorquez was himself a restaurant entrepreneur.

Since 2022, Sbarro has reported the opening of over 200 new locations in countries such as Colombia, Panama, Poland, Denmark and North Macedonia. While well established in the mall and airport space, Sbarro has recently branched out into new locations such as convenience stores, travel centers, universities, military bases, hospitals, and casinos.