Aylwin B. Lewis, is the former President and Chief Executive Officer (June 2008 - August 2017), of Potbelly Sandwich Works, a Chicago-based restaurant chain. Mr. Lewis was President and Chief Executive Officer of Sears Holdings Corporation, before stepping down on February 2, 2008. Prior to being named Chief Executive Officer of Sears in September 2005, Mr. Lewis was President of Sears Holdings and Chief Executive Officer of KMart and Sears Retail following Sears' acquisition of KMart Holding Corporation in March 2005.
Prior to that acquisition, Mr. Lewis had been President and Chief Executive Officer of KMart since October 2004. Prior to that, Mr. Lewis was Chief Multibranding and Operating Officer of YUM! Brands, Inc., a franchisor and licensor of quick service restaurants including KFC, Long John Silvers, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and A&W, from 2003 until October 2004, Chief Operating Officer of YUM! Brands from 2000 until 2003 and Chief Operating Officer of Pizza Hut from 1996. Mr. Lewis is a director of The Walt Disney Company and Halliburton Co.
Mr. Lewis serves on the board of Marriott International, Inc. He also is a member of the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company.
Mr. Lewis attended Jesse Jones High School, Houston, TX. He received dual bachelor degrees from the University of Houston in both Business Management and English Literature and an MBA from the University of Houston.
