Executive News

  • A photograph of a gray sign with a red box inside with white letters that says "Jack" under the box it says "in the box."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Jack in the Box names president in CEO succession step

    Former Yum Brands executive Taylor Montgomery could bring some of Taco Bell’s marketing magic to the beleaguered burger brand. 

    By • Aug. 20, 2026
  • A cart at a Wendy's drive-thru window.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wendy’s revives COO position

    The burger chain is seeking an operations chief for its turnaround under CEO Robert Wright, after hundreds of closures and six quarters of tumbling traffic.

    By • Aug. 19, 2026
  • Pizza Hut new store concept retrieved by Marketing Dive on April 5, 2021
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Pizza Hut
    Image attribution tooltip

    Pizza Hut’s Global CEO resigns

    Aaron Powell, who has been at the pizza chain since 2021, will leave his post following the close of its sale to LongRange Capital.

    By • Aug. 17, 2026
  • A close up image of yellow orange menus in a holder.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Opinion

    Cracker Barrel’s business recovered. The marketing story never did.

    CEO Julie Masino’s exit following a rebrand blunder provides an important lesson: don’t assume good results will overwrite a bad narrative on their own, writes marketing executive Steve Schonberg.

    By Steve Schonberg • Aug. 17, 2026
  • A photogrpah of a beige and green corner building wih several cars parked in front. The facade has a white sign that says Panera Bread.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Panera Bread hires CMO from Cava as transformation work continues

    Andrew Rebhun will lead all aspects of marketing at the fast-casual chain. He previously was the chief marketer at Cava and El Pollo Loco.

    By Chris Kelly • Aug. 13, 2026
  • mcdonalds signage against a blue sky
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kevin Frayer via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s USA appoints chief restaurant officer

    Patrick Gerber, who has worked at McDonald’s for over 25 years, is tasked with improving restaurant operations and standards.

    By • Aug. 11, 2026
  • Papa Johns
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Papa Johns
    Image attribution tooltip

    Papa Johns changes CMOs, ramps up mass marketing amid struggles

    CMO Jenna Bromberg will depart as the chain appoints a global marketer and plans to rebalance its media mix and continue to invest in marketing co-ops.

    By Chris Kelly • Aug. 6, 2026
  • A person smiles at a camera in front of a gray background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Portillo's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Portillo’s hires Olive Garden finance exec as CFO

    Kevin Kalicak, who has spent nearly 30 years at Darden, will join the fast casual chain on Sept. 7, succeeding Michelle Hook.

    By , • Aug. 5, 2026
  • An image of a small restaurant with a red facade that has a white logo saying Checkers. There is a woman waiting at a pickup window and a blue car at a drive-thru window.
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Pokemonprime is licensed under CC BY 4.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Checkers & Rally’s hires development chief to return to growth

    Peter Busse, an alumnus of Torchy’s Tacos and Yum Brands, will help the burger brands plot a turnaround after years of shrinking store counts.

    By • Aug. 4, 2026
  • The exterior of a Dave & Buster's restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dave & Buster’s hires another CEO

    Darin Harper has moved into the top executive position from CFO, succeeding Tarun Lal, who retired effective Aug. 3.

    By • Updated Aug. 4, 2026
  • A person with a green blazer sits in front of a window looking out to a blurred cityscape.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of McDonald's
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s USA appoints Skye Anderson to president

    Anderson will oversee the chain’s NEXT strategy in its largest market and succeeds Joe Erlinger, who is leaving the company after 20 years.

    By • Aug. 4, 2026
  • A biege building with signage in red and green that says Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Krispy Kreme creates chief commercial officer role

    Suk Nicholas, a 15-year company veteran, will oversee the chain’s fresh delivery business globally and in the U.S.

    By • Aug. 4, 2026
  • An orange and white fast food restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Whataburger
    Image attribution tooltip

    Whataburger hires Taco Bell vet as CFO

    Ryan Moore also brings experience from Torchy’s Tacos to the burger chain, which is growing extensively beyond its home base of Texas.

    By • July 29, 2026
  • A close up imae of a white sign with Cracker Barrel logo and Uncle Herschal mascot.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Cracker Barrel taps former Bloomin’ chief as CEO

    David Deno will succeed Julie Masino, who is leaving less than a year after surviving an ouster attempt triggered by rebranding backlash.

    By • Updated July 27, 2026
  • A smiling white man in a dark suit with no tie in front of a bar.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Fogo de Chão
    Image attribution tooltip

    Fogo de Chão appoints successor to long-tenured CFO

    Daniel Duran succeeded Tony Laday, who retired after helping the chain through an IPO, a global pandemic and multiple acquisitions over 12 years.

    By • July 24, 2026
  • A photograph of a person sitting at a brown table holding a coffee cup.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Ziggi's Coffee
    Image attribution tooltip

    Ziggi’s Coffee taps Noodles vet as growth chief

    Stacey Pool will oversee the chain’s next phase of growth, including a pipeline of at least 200 units, which would nearly triple the chain’s current store count.

    By • July 24, 2026
  • A close up shot of various packages from KFC
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by KFC
    Image attribution tooltip

    KFC Global appoints COO

    Maria Cacciapuoti has worked at the chain since 2015 and will partner with franchisees to modernize the guest and team experience.

    By • July 23, 2026
  • Pedestrians walk by a KFC and a Taco Bell restaurant on July 2, 2014 in San Rafael, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Yum appoints chief people officer

    Nai De Leon, who joined the company from Bain Capital in 2025, will succeed Tracy Skeans in November. 

    By • July 22, 2026
  • McDonald's Q1 Earnings Up On Higher Menu Prices, Overseas Growth
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s hires Nike vet as chief strategy officer

    Ugwechi Amadi will help the company bring its NEXT strategy to life and create new opportunities for growth, CFO Ian Borden said.

    By • July 15, 2026
  • An image of a gray building with a black sign that says "&pizza"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by &pizza
    Image attribution tooltip

    &pizza’s parent company hires CEO

    James O’Reilly, former CEO of Ascent Hospitality, joined Latitude Food Group two months after Mike Burns left to lead another chain.

    By • July 13, 2026
  • A smiling white man in a black t-shirt in front of a pink background
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Crumbl
    Image attribution tooltip

    Crumbl taps new tech chief amid leadership overhaul

    The dessert chain promoted Jacob Moncur to succeed CTO Bryce Redd, who spent more than eight years leading the chain’s tech strategy.

    By • July 9, 2026
  • A photograph of a person wearing a suit.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Denny's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Denny’s appoints COO as it focuses on turnaround

    Aaron Howard will play a critical role in Project Grand Slam, which aims to improve restaurant experiences, speed of service, traffic and execution.

    By • July 8, 2026
  • A photograph of a persn in front of a red background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of International Dairy Queen
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dairy Queen hires Shake Shack vet to modernize tech

    Phil Crawford joins the fast food and frozen treat chain just months after it expanded a drive-thru AI test.

    By • July 8, 2026
  • A photograph of a person wearing a black suit.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of McDonald's
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s taps Raising Cane’s vet to lead development

    Bryan Brown will help advance the fast food giant’s NEXT strategy, which includes restaurant redesigns and improved hospitality.

    By • July 2, 2026
  • Papa John's pizza box is seen on July 11, 2018 in Miami, Florida
    Image attribution tooltip
    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Papa Johns’ CFO to depart

    Ravi Thanawala helped with major turnaround efforts over the past three years and briefly led the company on an interim basis.

    By • July 1, 2026