Regis Corporation Announces Executive Leadership and Board Appointments
MWN-AI** Summary
Regis Corporation, a prominent player in the haircare industry, has announced several key appointments in its executive leadership and board. Susan Lintonsmith, who previously served as Board Chair, has now been named President and Chief Executive Officer. Jim Lain transitions to the role of Chief Operating Officer, while Nancy Benacci takes over as Chair of the Board. Andrew Alfano joins the board as an Independent Director.
In her new role, Lintonsmith leverages over 35 years of leadership experience across various sectors, including health and beauty services. She has a robust background in franchising and operational systems, previously enhancing unit-level profitability at the European Wax Center. Lintonsmith expressed her enthusiasm for leading the company through its transformation phase, emphasizing the need for superior guest experiences and stakeholder value.
Benacci, in her statement, highlighted the importance of these appointments for Regis's growth trajectory. She praised Lintonsmith's qualifications, noting her extensive experience with franchise management and brand development. Meanwhile, Jim Lain, who has been with Regis since 2013, is set to focus on operational performance and deepen customer engagement, building on his history of successfully modernizing business models.
Alfano’s appointment as an Independent Director adds significant operational expertise to the board, drawing from a successful career at Starbucks and later as President and COO of The Learning Experience. His extensive background in brand growth and market expansion is expected to support Regis's strategic goals.
With these appointments, Regis Corporation aims to strengthen its market presence and capitalize on growth opportunities while continuing to provide value to its shareholders. As of December 31, 2025, the company operates or franchises 3,829 locations under various well-known brands.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Regis Corporation's recent executive appointments signal a strategic evolution that could shape its future growth trajectory. With Susan Lintonsmith stepping in as CEO, Jim Lain as COO, and new Board Chair Nancy Benacci, the leadership team is reinforcing a commitment to operational excellence and market expansion.
Investors might view Lintonsmith’s appointment positively, given her extensive experience in the franchising sector and familiarity with Regis as a board member. Her backgrounds at European Wax Center and WellBiz Brands highlight a skill set geared towards operational performance and profitability—critical factors in navigating the competitive haircare landscape. Her vision for strengthening brand positioning and enhancing customer experiences could drive revenue growth, especially if aligned with effective franchisee collaborations.
Jim Lain’s continued role as COO is poised to stabilize and further innovate the company’s operations. His operational acumen, combined with a deep understanding of Regis’ brand portfolio, positions him well to implement strategies that boost efficiency and market presence. Investors are likely to appreciate continuity in leadership during this pivotal phase, which may reduce operational disruptions.
The appointment of Andrew Alfano as an independent director introduces fresh perspectives on brand growth and expansion, especially with his background in consumer-facing industries. His expertise at Starbucks and The Learning Experience underscores potential synergies that could accelerate Regis’ growth strategy.
The new leadership's focus on transformation through operational innovation, brand trust, and customer engagement is aligned with market demands, making Regis a compelling prospect for investment. However, investors should remain cautious of macroeconomic challenges and sector-specific risks. Overall, this leadership transition could mark the beginning of a revitalized growth phase for Regis Corporation—one that warrants close monitoring.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Susan Lintonsmith named Chief Executive Officer
Jim Lain named Chief Operating Officer
Nancy Benacci named Chair of the Board
Andrew Alfano appointed as Independent Director
Regis Corporation (NasdaqGM: RGS), a leader in the haircare industry, today announced key executive leadership and board appointments that will build on the company’s recent strategic progress, further enhance operational excellence and guide its next phase of growth.
Susan Lintonsmith, former Board Chair, has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer; Jim Lain will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer; Nancy Benacci has been named the new Chair of the Board; and Andrew Alfano has been appointed as an independent director.
Nancy Benacci, who replaces Susan Lintonsmith as the Board Chair, commented, “These leadership appointments mark an exciting new phase for Regis as we assemble an exceptional team to guide the company’s continued transformation and growth. On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to welcome Susan as our new Chief Executive Officer. After an extensive search process, we determined that Susan is the best candidate to lead Regis. The perspective she gained from serving on the Regis Board, combined with her experience working with franchisees and leading consumer brands, makes her exceptionally well suited to accelerate Regis’ momentum and deliver value to our shareholders. We also extend our gratitude to Jim Lain for his extraordinary leadership and dedication during his tenure as Interim CEO. We are excited to have Jim continue leading our operations, drawing on decades of operational experience and a deep understanding of our salon brands and franchise system.
“We are pleased to welcome Andrew Alfano to the Board. Mr. Alfano’s extensive operational experience and strong track record in brand growth and market expansion are critical assets as we continue to advance our transformation strategy. His leadership at Starbucks and The Learning Experience demonstrates an ability to drive performance, scale businesses successfully, and deliver results. We look forward to leveraging his insights and expertise at Regis.
“I am honored to assume the role of Chair and to work alongside this extraordinary leadership team. Together, we are committed to driving long-term value for our shareholders.”
Susan Lintonsmith Named Chief Executive Officer
Ms. Lintonsmith brings more than 35 years of senior leadership experience across consumer brands, health and beauty services, restaurants, and packaged goods, with deep expertise in franchised, multi-unit operating systems. A seasoned franchisor with both marketing and operations depth, she has built brands by aligning strategy with disciplined execution at the unit level. Most recently, she worked on the franchisee side for European Wax Center, where she led operational and infrastructure improvements to support expansion and improve unit-level profitability.
Lintonsmith led transformational growth for large franchise organizations, including serving as CEO and COO of Elements Massage at WellBiz Brands and CEO and President of Quiznos Subs. She previously served as CMO at Quiznos and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and held senior leadership roles at Dean Foods/WhiteWave Foods, Western Union, The Coca-Cola Company and Pizza Hut. She holds an MBA in Finance and Marketing from Indiana University and a BA from the University of Notre Dame.
Susan Lintonsmith, incoming Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Stepping in as CEO at this pivotal time for Regis is a true honor. Our brands carry decades of heritage and trust, and I am energized by the opportunity to accelerate growth and unlock the full potential of the business. Having led many great consumer businesses and operated as a franchisee in the beauty services industry, I understand that transformation starts with well-positioned brands, consistently delivering a superior guest experience, attracting and retaining skilled stylists, and strengthening four-wall profitability. We will work with franchisees to move with focus and urgency to drive growth and strengthen our core business, using our company-operated salons as a learning laboratory for establishing best practices and leading innovation.
“I am excited to work with Jim Lain as COO on this transformation given his extensive industry experience and expertise in both franchising and corporate-owned systems. I have enjoyed serving on the board for over a year and am eager to leverage my years of experience as franchisor and franchisee to partner with a tremendous team to drive growth, strengthen our amazing brands, and create lasting value for all stakeholders.”
Jim Lain Named Chief Operating Officer
Mr. Lain joined Regis in 2013 and brings more than 30 years of operations leadership experience to his new role. Mr. Lain commented, “As Chief Operating Officer, I will continue to focus on driving operational performance across our brands and advancing our transformation strategy. Over the past year, we have strengthened our core operations, launched initiatives that deepen customer engagement and modernized our business model. I look forward to partnering with Susan and the leadership team to build on this momentum and create enduring value for our shareholders.”
Andrew Alfano Appointed Independent Director
Mr. Alfano, CEO for Retro Fitness, has been appointed as an independent director. A transformational executive with over 25 years of experience across consumer-facing industries including restaurants, hospitality, early education and fitness, he brings deep operational and brand growth experience.
During a 16-year career with Starbucks Coffee Company, he rose to Senior Vice President, U.S. Business, overseeing more than $3.5 billion in revenue and helping lead strategic growth in complex urban markets, including New York City. He also served on the Executive Steering Committee that helped guide the company through its 2008 turnaround. Following Starbucks, Alfano served as President and COO of The Learning Experience, where he helped drive record revenue and EBITDA growth, double annual store openings and expand the brand into the United Kingdom.
The Board of Directors of Regis Corporation now consists of five independent directors and Ms. Lintonsmith.
About Regis Corporation
Regis Corporation (NasdaqGM:RGS) is a leader in the haircare industry. As of December 31, 2025, the Company franchised or owned 3,829 locations. Regis’ franchised and corporate locations operate under concepts such as Supercuts ® , SmartStyle ® , Cost Cutters ® , Roosters ® and First Choice Haircutters ® . For additional information about the Company, please visit the Investor Relations section of the corporate website at www.regiscorp.com .
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260316525165/en/
REGIS CORPORATION:
Kersten Zupfer
investorrelations@regiscorp.com
HAYDEN IR:
James Carbonara
James@haydenir.com
(646) 755-7412
Brett Maas
brett@haydenir.com
(646) 536-7331
FAQ**
How do the recent executive appointments at Regis Corporation RGS align with its strategic goals for operational excellence and growth?
What specific initiatives is Susan Lintonsmith implementing as CEO of Regis Corporation RGS to enhance franchisee collaboration and guest experience?
How will the experience of Andrew Alfano contribute to the transformation strategy of Regis Corporation RGS, particularly in brand growth?
What metrics will be used to measure the success of the leadership team's efforts to drive long-term value for shareholders at Regis Corporation RGS?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Regis Corporation (NASDAQ: RGS).
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