WHO WE ARE
OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM
JOE CUGINE
Joe Cugine is a highly respected food industry veteran with a 25-year track record with PepsiCo and Procter and Gamble in General Management, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations and Supply Chain Management. His track record includes sales, profit, volume and share growth and uncompromising customer focus.
Joe’s last role at PepsiCo was Chief Customer Officer and Senior Vice President of PepsiCo Foodservice division from 2004-2010. Joe was responsible for the full P&L and overall accountability for the $3.5B Pepsi, Frito Lay, Gatorade, Tropicana and Quaker US business across all restaurants in the US.
Joe retired from PepsiCo in 2010 and went into business with John Antonaccio to form CKA. Joe earned a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia where he attended on a soccer scholarship. He is a member of the board of directors of the Chefs’ Warehouse and the Ridge field Playhouse.
KEITH KAS
Keith has 25 years of quick service restaurant management experience including ownership interests in several Wendy’s, Taco Bell’s and a management company.
He began his restaurant management career in 1987 as General Manager for Italian American Foods, Inc. where he was tasked with managing the daily operations of a Taco Bell restaurant including hiring and training management and team members. Keith then became the District Supervisor for Vale Management where he was responsible for the operations of eight Wendy’s restaurants.
Mr. Kas’ role expanded significantly in 1997 when he became the Regional Coach for El Rancho Foods, Inc. where he supervised seven districts which encompassed 58 total Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut units.
JOHN ANTONACCIO
John Antonaccio has been a Wendy’s franchisee since 1993 and a Taco Bell franchisee since 1987. Mr. Antonaccio is a founding board member of the Wendy’s Franchise Association. In December 2012, Mr. Antonaccio divested his interest in El Rancho Foods, a 76-unit Taco Bell franchisee based in New Jersey. El Rancho had been recognized on several occasions by Taco Bell Corporate for operational excellence. John is currently a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Prior to the divestiture of El Rancho Foods, John had held several prominent positions within FRANMAC. He was elected to the FRANMAC Board in 1996. He held the position of Secretary-Treasurer from 1997 through 1998 and served as President in 2000. He also served as President and Treasurer of the NY DMA Advertising Association. He was previously a member of the Unified Food Service Purchasing Cooperative Board of Directors, Chairman of the Taco Bell Cooperative and National Vice President of the International Association of Taco Bell Franchisees. He also previously served as Chair of the Beverage Committee and has served on the Franchise Financial Assistance Committee.
John has received a number of awards from YUM! Brands and Taco Bell Corporate, including: the YUM award, the Glen Bell award, the outstanding leadership award, the outstanding contribution to the franchise community award and the Pepper award. John is a graduate of Manhattan College where he received a B.A. in Labor Management. He has also received a Master’s degree in Administration from Baruch College of the City University of New York. He worked as a Business Manager and Assistant Dean of Administration in the CUNY system for more than 10 years. He was employed for more than 10 years in various positions, including Sr. Vice President, by a NYSE listed firm.