Maryellen Torres Chief Brand Officer As Chief Brand Officer at Front Burner, Maryellen Torres drives brand strategy for Front Burner concepts. She provides clearly defined strategic direction and consistent representation of the company’s brands through leadership and guidance in the areas of brand direction, consumer research, digital strategy, creative vision and services, local marketing efforts and communications programs. Front Burner is a franchise management company headquartered in Tampa, Florida. It is affiliated with dynamic and niche-specific brands including The Melting Pot, the premier fondue restaurant franchise with 125 restaurants in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and has over 10 locations in development internationally. Torres is an accomplished strategic marketer, brand builder and corporate strategist with more than 20 years of experience in consumer products industries. Prior to joining Front Burner Brands in 2014, she served as vice president of global marketing for Ashley Furniture Industries and her experience also includes strategic marketing, brand development and management consulting with prestigious companies including The Walt Disney Company, The TJX Companies, Andersen Consulting and Booz Allen Hamilton. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Torres earned her master of business administration in strategic brand management and corporate strategy. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial and labor relations with a minor in brand marketing. Torres was honored as one of Advertising Age’s 2008 “Women to Watch” for innovative branding and marketing programs. Maryellen has been married for more than 20 years to her husband Ward, and they have two children, Jackson and Isa. .