John Li
About John Li
John Li serves as the Global Vice President of Research and Development and Culinary at The Wendy's Company, a position he has held since 2023. He has a diverse background in food science and culinary arts, with extensive experience in product innovation and strategic planning across several leading food companies.
Work at Wendy's
John Li currently serves as the Global Vice President of Research and Development and Culinary at The Wendy's Company. He has held this position since 2023 and is based in Dublin, Ohio. Prior to this role, he was the Vice President of Culinary Innovation at Wendy's from 2019 to 2023. His experience at Wendy's focuses on enhancing culinary strategies and product development.
Education and Expertise
John Li holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science from Cornell University, where he studied from 1986 to 1990. He furthered his education by obtaining an MBA in Marketing and Strategy from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, completing the program from 1999 to 2002. Additionally, he earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences in Culinary Arts from Kendall College, studying from 1993 to 1995.
Background
Before joining The Wendy's Company, John Li worked at Bloomin’ Brands International™ as Group Vice President of Research & Development from 2016 to 2017, and then as Group Vice President of Research & Development and Marketing from 2017 to 2019. His career also includes significant roles at Kraft Foods Group, where he held various positions from 1989 to 2015, including Senior Vice President of Research & Development and Culinary Director.
Achievements
John Li has a strong background in organizational change management and strategic planning. He leverages these skills to manage high-performing teams effectively. His extensive experience in trends forecasting contributes to product innovation and menu design. He is known for building alliances with vendors and partners to enhance product development and strategic initiatives, demonstrating a proven track record in delivering strategies that grow revenues and improve productivity.