Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf names new president and CEO
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, a California-based coffee chain, appointed former Dunkin' Brands and McDonald's executive John Dawson as president and chief executive. Dawson replaces Mel Elias, who was president and CEO since 2008, and has been with the company since it opened its first franchise locations in Singapore in 1996. Under Dawson, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf is expected to add to its lineup of more than 900 stores in nearly 30 countries, including more than 300 in the US. The management change comes after three private-equity firms acquired a significant stake in The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in September 2013. One of the firms is represented by Will Kussell, former president and chief brand officer of DunkinÂ’ Donuts.