Name: Matt Carpenter
New title: Brand president, Perkins American Food
Previous title: Fractional operating executive
Carpenter brings over 40 years of industry experience to Perkins, according to an emailed press release announcing his hiring. He has held roles both as a franchisee and franchisor, so his insight could prove valuable to Perkin’s long-running turnaround efforts.
Carpenter spent a decade as CEO of Toms King, a Burger King operator that went bankrupt in 2023. Carpenter grew that system “to nearly 140 restaurants across multiple states, generating more than $200 million in revenue. He guided the company through major operational restructuring, a disciplined capital investment strategy, and a revitalized focus on restaurant execution, hospitality, and talent development,” according to the press release.
On the franchisor side, Carpenter led Olga’s Kitchen, first as chief operating officer then as CEO, for about seven years, according to his LinkedIn profile. According to the press release, his time at Olga’s included a complicated turnaround for the concept.
Perkins cited Carpenter’s experience on both sides of the franchisee-franchisor divide as a factor in hiring him.
“I understand the pressures and opportunities on each side. I’m excited to bring that perspective to Perkins and help set the brand on a strong path for sustained growth and success,” Carpenter said in the release.
Perkins’ parent company, Ascent Hospitality, brought on Paul Damico as CEO earlier this year to help grow and modernize Ascent’s complementary concepts: Perkins and Huddle House. Prior to Damico’s appointment, the company hired a new chief technology officer and promoted Huddle House’s president to chief operating officer.
Perkins has been actively pursuing a brand turnaround for over a year and a half, rebranding itself and renovating its menu in June 2024, before launching a fast casual spinoff in the fall of that year. In March, Perkins opened a new flagship location in Orlando, Florida, to showcase the work done in its brand turnaround.
