Hertz appoints former Burger King chief to new role

Hertz International has appointed Tracy Gehlan as chief operations officer. Reporting to group president Michel Taride, Gehlan is based at the car rental company’s International headquarters near London.

In this newly created position Gehlan has assumed overall responsibility for delivering sustained growth, efficiency and customer service across the company’s wholly owned operations in Europe and Asia Pacific.

Gehlan brings 23 years of operating expertise in a fast-moving retail environment from her leadership roles including Smashburger Master, Burger King Corporation and The Restaurant Group.

Previously, as managing director/CEO of Smashburger UK, Gehlan led the entry of the US Smashburger fast food hamburger chain into the UK market and developed the company’s plans to expand across Europe.

In her 11 year career with Burger King, Gehlan most recently served five years as COO, EMEA, where she optimised the business across the region’s franchised and wholly owned restaurants throughout 42 countries.

Prior to joining Burger King, Gehlan served in operational management positions over a nine year period at The Restaurant Group. Gehlan has also held a non-executive directorship with the British Retail Consortium as Board Member, Scottish Retail Consortium (2008-2011).