For the second time in as many years, Dublin-based Applegreen is seeking a new face for its U.S. operations.
Zack Kollias, president of Applegreen U.S. since April 2023, announced via LinkedIn yesterday that his last day with the convenience retailer was Feb. 28.
Kollias did not specify why he left Applegreen less than two years into his role. Both he and a company spokesperson declined to comment on his departure.
“I leave Applegreen a better leader,” Kollias said in his announcement. “I'm proud of what we accomplished and glad to have played a small part in this success.”
Kollias joined Applegreen after spending over two decades in the restaurant industry, having held executive leadership positions with companies like Church’s Chicken and Wendy’s, according to his LinkedIn bio. He was hired by Applegreen after former president Elizabeth Pierce — now chief operating officer of EG America — left after 15 years with the company.
During his run as Applegreen’s president in the U.S. — where the retailer has about 165 travel plazas in 12 states — the company more than doubled sales, Kollias said in his announcement.
Kollias also helped spearhead Applegreen’s focus on foodservice in the U.S., where it operates restaurants such as Burger King, Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A and Popeyes. Late last year, Applegreen said it intended to open larger, food-focused travel plazas in the U.S. in the coming years — mainly on the East Coast — as part of a $1 billion expenditure across its global network.
Applegreen’s investments in the U.S. in recent years have also included remodeling its travel centers on the New York State Thruway, New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway, as well as growing its EV charging footprint in New York.
With Kollias now gone, it’s unclear who will lead these initiatives. Applegreen’s spokesperson also declined to comment when asked if the company has named a replacement.
