Applebee's has named Peter Czizek vice president of culinary and menu strategy, the restaurant said Tuesday.
The Kansas City, Mo.-based chain said Czizek replaces Applebee's former vice president of culinary and menu strategy Shannon Johnson, who was named director of culinary innovation at McDonald's USA a year ago.
Prior to Dave & Buster's, Czizek served as culinary and beverage director at Romano's Macaroni Grill and as executive chef at Mel Hollen Restaurant Concepts, both in Dallas.
"I'm honored to join the Applebee's culinary team and excited to lead such a talented staff of chefs," Czizek said in a statement. "Applebee's has a long history of delivering delicious and wide-ranging menus that keep the neighborhood coming back for more, and I look forward to shaping what the Applebee's menu of tomorrow looks like with more you'll-be-back flavor."
The Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar chain includes about 2,000 locations in 49 states, 15 countries and one U.S. territory. The mostly franchised brand is owned by Glendale, Calif.-based DineEquity Inc.
