DineEquity, Inc., the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP, today announced the appointment of Tom Emrey as chief financial officer, effective September 12, 2011. Mr. Emrey replaces John F. Tierney, who will be leaving the Company following a brief transitional period.
Mr. Emrey joins DineEquity from Universal Studios Home Entertainment, a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. For the past four years, Mr. Emrey has served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. He previously served as chief financial officer of Universal Studios Home Entertainment between 2003 and 2007. Prior to Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Mr. Emrey held a number of senior finance positions at Nestlé USA.
“We are pleased to have such an accomplished and dynamic chief financial officer joining our strong management team at this exciting time for the Company. Tom brings more than 25 years of broad-based finance experience and a deep understanding of consumer businesses that will benefit the Company and our stockholders in the years ahead. Tom’s hands-on finance and corporate strategy experience will be an important asset to DineEquity’s executive team as we continue executing on our strategic plans for Applebee’s and IHOP and creating additional value for our stockholders,” said Julia Stewart, DineEquity’s chairman and chief executive officer. “The entire DineEquity team and I thank Jack for his contributions. Jack has played a central role for the past two and a half years refinancing and re-pricing our long-term debt. He leaves the Company in a solid financial position as we continue to generate strong cash flow and make meaningful progress paying down debt.”
Earlier in his career, Mr. Emrey spent several years with Silgan Containers Corporation, where he held various positions as corporate controller, director of financial reporting and director of internal audit. Mr. Emrey began his career as an auditor at Ernst & Young LLP.
A certified public accountant, Mr. Emrey received his BS from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Pepperdine University.
“I am delighted to be joining the accomplished executive team at DineEquity and look forward to partnering with my new colleagues to take the Company and its brands to the next level of performance,” said Mr. Emrey.
Based in Glendale, California, DineEquity, Inc., through its subsidiaries, franchises and operates restaurants under the Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar and IHOP brands. With more than 3,500 restaurants combined, DineEquity is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world.