Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc., an Atlanta subsidiary of Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, Inc. said it hiredWarren Changto the newly created position of chief innovation officer for "taste, quality and the customer experience."

Officials said Chang, 54, will be responsible for leading innovation and change initiatives in the areas of product development, quality improvement and the customer experience. He reports directly to Arby’s President Hala Moddelmog.

Arby's said Chang has more than 30 years of restaurant and retail experience. He most recently served as president of Carino’s Italian, a 140-unit chain of casual dining restaurants headquartered in Austin, Texas. Chang also has served in strategic brand planning, research and development, marketing and advertising posts at McDonald’s, Yum! Brands, Applebee’s and Frito-Lay.

Like Moddelmog, who was named Arby’s president in May, Chang also has prior Arby’s experience, leading both the brand’s restaurant marketing and menu and product development from 1994 to 1998.

“Warren brings a wealth of restaurant experience to the Arby’s leadership team. His appointment is another example of the decisive steps we’re taking to reinvigorate the Arby’s brand, improve same-store sales and grow profits,” said Moddelmog. “Our goal is to add new energy and focus to Arby’s ability to connect to our customers’ needs and accelerate our speed to market with innovative, high quality products.”