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Arctic Circle Restaurants appoints Kasey Christensen as new president

Salt Lake City — The Arctic Circle Restaurant chain, one of the western United States’ oldest and most successful businesses, recently named Kasey Christensen as president.

“I am pleased to announce the promotion of Kasey Christensen to President of Arctic Circle Restaurants,” says Gary Roberts, CEO of Arctic Circle. “Kasey’s proven leadership skills, thorough knowledge, work ethic, creativity, people skills, and open-mindedness make him a respectable, visionary, and worthy leader for the Arctic Circle Family.”

Christensen’s connection to the Arctic Circle brand began long ago. His parents opened an Arctic Circle in Soda Springs, Idaho in 1971, where he started as a young boy, peeling and cutting potatoes for french fries every morning and picking up trash from the parking lot. His payment for helping in the restaurant was all the ice cream he could eat, and this location is still owned and operated by his family today.  

Christensen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business finance from Utah State University in 1991. After a short time as a loan officer, he rejoined the Arctic Circle family and managed an Arctic Circle franchise location in Hyrum, Utah. The franchisee opened additional locations in Tremonton and Logan, Utah where Christensen was promoted to the franchisee’s area supervisor. He joined Arctic Circle’s corporate team in 1994 and progressed into roles of product development, national ServSafe instructor, national training director, VP of purchasing, and has served as Arctic Circle’s COO since 2015.

During his time in these key corporate roles, Christensen has been vital in bringing unique quality branded items into Arctic Circle stores that have benefited sales and helped grow the overall business. He has successfully negotiated key vendor contracts, allowing for more profitability and value-added efficiencies to the restaurant chain.

Arctic Circle has always been known for unique quality items, but Christensen has been instrumental in introducing its guests to items such as Black Angus Beef, 100% Alaskan Halibut, Yukon Gold Fries, real breast meat in chicken tenders and sandwiches, Oreo and other national brands, as well as Flavor Burst Cones. This is in addition to numerous successful limited-time offerings and other operational programs he has helped implement and oversee.

In the past year alone, Christensen has developed seven new Arctic Circle restaurants, with more on the horizon. In his new role, he will be even more deeply involved with daily functions, plans, and strategies for the future performance of the company.

In 2016, Christensen introduced Arctic Circle’s charitable giving structure known as Arctic Cares and has helped build a reputation for giving back to its communities over the years – from supporting local non-profits to helping the homeless and assisting families experiencing loss, medical expenses, and other hardships. Local organizations supported by Arctic Cares’ community involvement efforts include Millie’s Princess Foundation, New Smiles for Veterans, The Road Home Shelter, Utah, and Idaho Food Banks, Tony Finau Foundation, Warm Bodies Warm Souls, Special Olympics Utah, Primary Children’s Hospital, and many more.

Arctic Circle offers a full range menu including Black Angus Beef, 100 percent Real Alaskan Halibut, Original Taco Salad, Above the Rim milkshakes, fries and onion rings. Arctic Circle is also home to the “Original Fry Sauce.” The company’s complete menu also includes an array of combo meals and kid’s meals.

Though Arctic Circle’s roots date back to 1924, original owner Don Carlos Edwards opened the nation’s first Arctic Circle in Salt Lake City in 1950. Counting Utah, Arctic Circle’s operations now span seven states in the West, with 70 total stores. Arctic Circle Restaurants are located in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Wyoming, and Arizona.

For more information, visit www.acburger.com.