Tue 8th Sep 2015 - Ed’s Easy Diner hires Ivan Schofield as new chief executive Ed’s Easy Diner hires Ivan Schofield as new chief executive: Ed’s Easy Diner, the fast-growing operator of nearly 50 themed 1950s American diners throughout the UK, has hired Ivan Schofield as its new chief executive. He will join the company later this month and will succeed Andrew Guy who will retire from the business at the end of the year. It is intended that Guy will retain a relationship with the company in an advisory capacity. Ivan Schofield has spent the last 15 years with Yum! Brands in a number of different roles, most recently, since 2011, as managing director KFC Western Europe, based in France, where he was responsible for a business comprising 450 company and franchise outlets across 15 countries. He also grew KFC France from 20 outlets to nearly 200 and occupied senior Finance roles based in the UK. Earlier in his career Ivan was with LEK Consulting and held Sales and Marketing roles with Unilever. Ivan holds an MBA from INSEAD and a degree in Economics with Econometrics from Bath University. Ed’s has successfully expanded very rapidly since 2009 from three diners to 49 today. That pace of growth is anticipated to continue with Ed’s having it’s strongest ever site pipeline with visibility into 2017. Stephen Greene, chairman said: “Ivan is an outstanding appointment for Ed’s. With close to 50 diners we are now a significant business and the largest operator in our segment. Ivan’s considerable experience in managing rapid development and scale will be pivotal during our next stage of development. With this, he has amassed a wealth of experience in building consumer brands, innovation, new unit development, operations, International expansion, franchising and talent development. Until he retires, Andrew will continue to bring his experience to the business and work with Ivan, handing over years of knowledge of the UK casual dining market and Ed’s operations. Andrew’s tireless effort, operational expertise and constant enthusiasm has contributed enormously to Ed’s success and has provided the perfect foundation for the future for which we at Ed’s are all immensely grateful.” Ivan Schofield said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Ed’s team and to have the privilege of leading the organisation through its next phase of development. I have huge admiration for what Andrew and the team have done so far. The brand has strength beyond its scale and is a terrific concept with great products, affordable prices and excellent service, underpinned by the timeless and universal appeal of the 1950s American Diner.”