Arctic Circle, the Midvale-based fast-food restaurant chain, has named Kasey Christensen as president.
“I am pleased to announce the promotion of Kasey Christensen to president of Arctic Circle restaurants,” said 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 when his parents opened an Arctic Circle in Soda Springs, Idaho, in 1971. Christensen said he started as a 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. The Soda Springs location is still owned and operated by his family.
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. The franchisee opened additional locations in Tremonton and Logan, 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, vice president of purchasing and has served as Arctic Circle’s chief operations officer since 2015. In the past year, Christensen has developed seven new Arctic Circle restaurants, with more openings planned. In his new role, he will be 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, which supports local non-profits; helps the homeless; and assists families experiencing loss, medical expenses and other hardships.
Arctic Circle’s roots date back to 1924 and original owner Don Carlos Edwards opened the nation’s first Arctic Circle in Salt Lake City in 1950. Arctic Circle’s operations now span seven states in the West, with 70 total stores in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Wyoming and Arizona.