Executive News

  • A person stands in front of a Cava logo with hands crossed.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava hires Texas Roadhouse vet as COO

    Doug Thompson, who spent over 20 years at the steakhouse chain, will oversee operations and build leadership teams as Cava targets 1,000 units.

    By • Jan. 13, 2026
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    Permission granted by White Castle
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    White Castle appoints CMO

    Jamie Richardson has worked at the chain for nearly 30 years and succeeds Lynn Blashford, who is retiring. 

    By • Jan. 9, 2026
  • John Owen, Blaze Pizza's new CEO, glowers at a camera. He is a white man in a black turtleneck and dark suit coat.
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    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
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    Q&A

    Why Blaze Pizza’s new CEO began his tenure making pizzas

    John Owen told Restaurant Dive that working shoulder to shoulder with restaurant staff increased his understanding of operational issues.

    By • Jan. 8, 2026
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    Retrieved from CKE Restaurants/LinkedIn on January 07, 2026
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    CKE Restaurants hires Habit Burger exec as Carl’s Jr brand president

    Iwona Alter brings nearly two decades of restaurant experience and has expertise in marketing and operations.

    By • Jan. 8, 2026
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    Permission granted by Huddle House
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    Huddle House hires brand president

    Bob Campbell, who helped grow Georgia-based Taco Mac to 30 units, will oversee the chain’s next phase of growth.

    By • Jan. 7, 2026
  • John Owen, Blaze Pizza's new CEO, glowers at a camera. He is a white man in a black turtleneck and dark suit coat.
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    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
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    Blaze Pizza names McDonald’s, Subway alum as CEO

    John Owen is tasked with improving the shrinking chain’s menu and operations to insulate it from the fast casual pizza sector struggles.

    By • Jan. 6, 2026
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    Courtesy of Dutch Bros
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    Dutch Bros hires Taco Bell, Cava vet as chief shops officer

    Jennifer Somers will oversee the company’s field organization and shop operations as it works toward opening 1,000 more units by 2029.

    By • Jan. 6, 2026
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    Courtesy of Dave's Hot Chicken
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    Dave’s Hot Chicken promotes COO to CEO

    Jim Bitticks succeeds Bill Phelps, who helmed the brand since 2019, and will continue to grow the chain that has nearly doubled its unit count since 2024. 

    By • Jan. 5, 2026
  • An image of a Twin Peaks restaurant in the daytime.
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    Permission granted by Twin Peaks
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    Twin Hospitality Group appoints Andy Wiederhorn as CEO

    The company terminated Kim Boerema as CEO in late December after over six months in the position.

    By • Jan. 5, 2026
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Starbucks hires technology chief from Amazon

    Anand Varadarajan brings nearly two decades of retail technology experience to the coffee giant, which is working to implement customer-centric solutions.

    By • Dec. 22, 2025
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    Permission granted by 7 Brew
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    7 Brew hires RBI exec as CFO

    Matthew Dunnigan will help the rapidly growing drive-thru coffee chain during its next phase of growth now that it has surpassed 500 units.

    By • Dec. 18, 2025
  • People walking in front of a Sweetgreen on Aug.8, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Sweetgreen cofounder exits beleaguered brand

    Nathaniel Ru, Sweetgreen’s chief brand officer, is retiring after a bruising year for the fast casual chain.

    By , • Updated Dec. 17, 2025
  • A picture of a restaurant interior. Empty tables, white tile, green walls.
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    Courtesy of Perkins
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    Perkins names new brand president

    Matt Carpenter brings decades of restaurant experience from both sides of the franchisee-franchisor divide, and could help Perkins modernize and expand. 

    By • Dec. 16, 2025
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    Permission granted by Marco's Pizza
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    Marco’s Pizza hires CFO, CMO

    Bill Schaffler becomes the high-growth pizza chain’s top financial executive while Steve Kennedy will oversee marketing efforts.

    By • Dec. 11, 2025
  • An image of Buffalo Wild Wings with its to-go branded section
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    Courtesy of Inspire Brands
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    Inspire Brands announces 5 executive shifts

    The restaurant giant is strengthening the leadership of its brands, especially Buffalo Wild Wings Go, its rapidly growing fast casual spin-off.

    By • Dec. 11, 2025
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    Allie Beau

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    Sponsored by Schweid & Sons

    4 generations, 1 legendary burger

    “Every time someone eats a Schweid & Sons burger,” Jamie says, “they taste 4 generations of dedication.”

    Dec. 8, 2025
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    Courtesy of Velvet Taco
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    Velvet Taco hires former Starbucks exec as CEO

    Chris Schultz joins the chain after serving as CEO at Voodoo Doughnut and will oversee the 50-unit fast casual brand’s expansion into new markets.

    By • Dec. 3, 2025
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    Courtesy of Jersey Mike's
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    Jersey Mike’s appoints Wyndham exec as CFO

    Michele Allen, who has over 20 years of experience, will be instrumental in guiding the sandwich chain through its next phase of growth.

    By • Dec. 2, 2025
  • A large sign that says Texas Roadhouse in front of a blue sky.
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    chapin31 via Getty Images
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    Texas Roadhouse hires Yum Brands vet as CFO

    Mike Lenihan joins the casual dining chain after two years at CKE Restaurants and over 20 years at Yum Brands.

    By • Dec. 2, 2025
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    Permission granted by GoTo Foods
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    GoTo Foods appoints CEO

    Former Albertsons executive Omer Gajial succeeds Jim Holthouser, who retired on Tuesday after six years as GoTo Foods’ CEO.

    By • Updated Dec. 2, 2025
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    Permission granted by Focus Brands
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    GoTo Foods CEO steps down

    Jim Holthouser led the multi-brand platform through a series of changes that aimed to position it as a franchisor of choice within the restaurant industry.

    By , • Dec. 1, 2025
  • A daytime photograph of a building with a stone facade and a large red sign that says "Red Robin." The parking lot in front of the building is empty.
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    Brett_Hondow via Getty Images
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    Red Robin hires former Bloomin’ Brands exec as interim CFO

    Christopher Meyer, who previously served as CFO for Bloomin’, will replace Todd Wilson, who resigns on Dec. 12 to join BJ’s Restaurants. 

    By • Dec. 1, 2025
  • An exterior image of a Shake Shack restaurant
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack CFO to step down

    The chain has remade much of its C-suite since hiring Rob Lynch as CEO in 2024, and will set up a new financial operations office as Katie Fogerty departs.

    By • Nov. 25, 2025
  • A Cracker Barrel sign hangs on the outside of a restaurant.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Cracker Barrel CEO survives ouster attempt, board shrinks

    Sardar Biglari’s latest jab at the casual chain’s leadership failed to remove CEO Julie Masino, but succeeded in ousting board member Gilbert Dávila.

    By • Nov. 24, 2025
  • Papa John's pizza box is seen on July 11, 2018 in Miami, Florida
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Papa Johns CFO gains dual role, salary bump

    Appointing its finance chief Ravi Thanawala to the dual role of CFO and president could signal additional belt-tightening by the pizza chain, Cowen Partners’ Shawn Cole said.

    By Grace Noto • Nov. 19, 2025