Dairy Queen names new technology chief
Dairy Queen is adding an executive with an extensive background in the restaurant industry to its C-suite.
The ice cream giant has named Phil Crawford as its new executive VP and chief technology officer. In the role, he will lead IT and retail technology for the company and its more than 7,800 restaurants worldwide. Crawford succeeds Kevin Baartman, who is retiring later this year and has been with Dairy Queen since 2019.
Crawford most recently served as the global head of food & beverage and hospitality at payment technology company Adyen for two and a half years.
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“Technology plays an increasingly critical role in empowering our business for our employees, franchisees and fans,” said Troy Bader, president and CEO of International Dairy Queen Inc. (IDQ). “Phil’s proven success as a restaurant business and technology leader positions us for continued growth as we live our mission of creating positive memories for all who touch DQ.”
Prior to Adyen, Crawford served as the chief technology officer at CKE Restaurants Inc., the parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. Other previous roles include chief technology officer at Godiva Chocolatier, chief information officer at Shake Shack, and chief information officer at Yard House Restaurants.
“The iconic Dairy Queen brand has a powerful legacy I admire, and I respect the team’s recent commitment to technological innovation and digital capabilities,” said Crawford. “I am excited to lead the next chapter of the company’s technology strategy that builds a truly unified, scalable commerce ecosystem. Our goal will be to deepen consumer engagement and deliver exceptional experiences – whether our fans are ordering at drive thru, via delivery, in restaurant or through our digital platforms.”
Headquartered in Minneapolis, IDQ is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada Inc. Through its subsidiaries, IDQ develops, licenses and services a system of more than 7,800 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries.
IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.
