October 6/Canton, Mass/PRNewswire -- Baskin-Robbins announced two key additions to the company's senior management team. Sue Thirlwall joins the company in the newly created position of brand operating officer, and Brad Wahl joins the company in the newly created position of vice president of Marketing USA. Each will report directly to Srinivas Kumar, chief brand operating officer for Baskin-Robbins Worldwide.

Thirlwall brings more than 30 years of operations and retail experience to her new role on the Baskin-Robbins senior management team where she will lead day-to-day operations and marketing initiatives. In her new position, she will lead the brand and the franchise operations group to further improve processes, systems and procedures with a focus on providing an outstanding customer experience. Thirlwall has spent the majority of her career leading and advising franchisees in all areas of the foodservice business. She joins Baskin-Robbins from YUM! Brands where she served as the national director, Franchise. She also held senior level positions to drive restaurant readiness and operations at Pizza Hut. Prior to YUM! Brands, Thirlwall worked at Deloitte and Touche as a Management Consultant and Manager. She received an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree in business administration from University of Southern California.

Wahl brings an extensive background in building brands and engaging customers for numerous multi-unit retail companies. He will be responsible for developing and executing strategies to strengthen the brand and further drive customer loyalty. Prior to Baskin-Robbins, he served as vice president of Marketing for The Krystal Company and helped lead the transformation of the 75-year old burger chain into a contemporary brand with appeal for a new generation of customers. He also served as retail brand marketing director for CORT Furniture. Earlier in his career, he served in marketing and research roles for Rent-a-Center. He received a bachelor's degree in marketing from Wichita State University.

"Both Sue Thirlwall and Brad Wahl are exceptional leaders who bring to Baskin-Robbins invaluable experiences that will help intensify our focus on operational excellence and marketing," said Kumar. "We are excited to welcome both to Baskin-Robbins to further build brand excitement and engagement."

From the October 12, 2009, Prepared Foods E-dition