Phil Crawford Appointed as Chief Technology Officer at International Dairy Queen

Phil Crawford has been appointed as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ), as announced by the company. He will report directly to the president and CEO, Troy Bader, and will be responsible for IT and retail technology across more than 7,800 DQ restaurants globally.

Crawford joins IDQ with a rich background in technology leadership within the restaurant industry. He previously held senior roles in companies such as CKE Restaurants, which owns Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, as well as at Shake Shack and Yard House Restaurants. Most recently, he led the global food, beverage, and hospitality verticals at Adyen N.V.

In his new role, Crawford aims to enhance consumer engagement and improve the overall customer experience through a unified, scalable commerce ecosystem. This initiative is part of IDQ's strategy to integrate technological innovation and expand digital capabilities.

Crawford holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Northern Arizona University, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and has completed the Harvard Business Analytics Program. He has also served on industry advisory boards, including EveryBite and Fresh Technology.

His appointment follows the retirement of Kevin Baartman, who will step down later this year. Crawford will be based at the IDQ global franchisee support center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

IDQ, headquartered in Minneapolis, is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., and operates over 7,800 restaurants in more than 20 countries. The company is committed to leveraging technology to support its mission of creating positive memories for its employees, franchisees, and customers.