Dive Brief:
- 7 Brew has hired Matthew Dunnigan as its chief financial officer, the company said in a Wednesday press release.
- Dunnigan previously served as CFO at Restaurant Brands International, where he worked for over nine years, including over six in the CFO role, according to his LinkedIn profile. He left in 2024 for a stint at Equinox, a chain of fitness clubs, where he oversaw the development and execution of growth initiatives a 7 Brew spokesperson said in an email to Restaurant Dive.
- Dunnigan said he joined the coffee brand because its “growth potential and franchise returns stand out as among the most compelling I’ve seen.” He will help drive the chain’s next phase of growth.
Dive Insight:
7 Brew hit its 500-store mark earlier this year and will only continue to grow thanks to a modular construction design that decreases construction costs and time to opening. The company has a significant development pipeline and continues to draw interest among major franchisees, including Flynn Group, which signed a 160-unit commitment last month.
Dunnigan brings significant expertise in leading national brands as he did while at RBI. During his tenure there, he helped with strategic growth in addition to capital allocation. Dunnigan worked for RBI during the 2014 merger of Tim Hortons and Burger King, which created the company. He helped lead the integration of four global quick-service brands, which made RBI into one of the world’s largest restaurant companies, according to the press release.
In addition to its rapid, franchised expansion, 7 Brew has also been growing in non-traditional ways. Earlier this year, the company opened its first “walk-thru” location in Walmart shortly followed by a second at The Ohio State University. The chain has also been growing its C-suite, naming its first chief supply chain officer this year and first chief marketing officer last year.
