CraftWorks Holdings, a restaurant conglomerate with 390 locations across 40 states, announced that it has hired Josh Kern as Chief Experience Officer. In this position, Kern will be responsible for customer-centric strategies to help the brands deliver exceptional customer experience, including oversight for the brands’ strategy, marketing, brewery, culinary and digital efforts. Kern will report to Chief Executive Officer Hazem Ouf.

Prior to joining CraftWorks Holdings, Kern served as Chief Marketing Officer for Cerca Trova Restaurant Concepts, the nation’s largest franchisees of Outback Steakhouse.

As CXO for CraftWorks Holdings, he will oversee and unify superior guest service standards, customer insight and engagement for CraftWorks’ portfolio of brands, including Logan’s Roadhouse, Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc. and Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group Inc.

“Josh is a seasoned executive who creatively transforms information and data into breakthrough ideas that will strengthen growth across CraftWorks’ network of casual dining and brewery concepts,” says Hazem Ouf, Chairman and CEO of CraftWorks Holdings. “At CraftWorks, our commitment to innovation and quality is a priority across all of our brands. Josh is exactly the right leader to showcase that commitment and build our marketing efforts nationally. We’re pleased to welcome him to our executive team.”

Kern brings more than 20 years of local, regional and national experience to his new role. His former positions have included the VP of marketing for Quiznos, Chief Marketing Officer for American Blue Holdings and Chief Marketing Officer for Consumer Capital Partners, the parent of Smashburger with more than 380 restaurant locations in 35 states and seven countries.

“I have admired the collection of CraftWorks brands both as a consumer and a marketer over the years,” adds Kern. “I’m excited to join CraftWorks Holdings during this pivotal time and to work with the leadership team to help reignite the brands and increase relevance with consumers.”