Executive News

  • Papa Johns
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    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
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    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.
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    The image by Pokemonprime is licensed under CC BY 4.0
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    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.
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    Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
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    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.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    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
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    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
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    Courtesy of Whataburger
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    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.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    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.
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    Courtesy of Fogo de Chão
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    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.
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    Permission granted by Ziggi's Coffee
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    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
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    Permission granted by KFC
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    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.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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"
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    Permission granted by &pizza
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    &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
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    Courtesy of Crumbl
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    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
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    Courtesy of Denny's
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    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.
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    Courtesy of International Dairy Queen
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    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
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    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
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    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
  • A CGI buffalo sits at a bar as part of a Buffalo Wild Wings campaign.
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    Permission granted by Buffalo Wild Wings
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    Buffalo Wild Wings hires marketing chief from Tatte

    Scott Nelson will lead the sports bar’s culinary and marketing efforts as it looks to build on its sports-forward brand reputation.

    By • June 30, 2026
  • An image of a red sign with white logo that says "Wendy's." Above the sign is an cartoon image of a girl with red hair and pigtails with blue bows.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s hires former Potbelly exec as CFO

    Steve Cirulis, who served alongside Wendy’s CEO Bob Wright at the sandwich chain, joins the troubled fast food brand in the midst of a turnaround.

    By • June 23, 2026
  • Three people wearing suites sit at at table and smile.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s CEO to retire, COO Joe Jordan to succeed

    Russell Weiner will retire in October after serving as top executive since 2022 and recently committing to double the chain’s market share.

    By • Updated June 22, 2026
  • A close up photograph of a pink and brown drink.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks CFO delegates principal accounting role

    The coffee giant’s finance chief Cathy Smith is transferring the PAO role to Val Bauduin, who will continue to report to Smith.

    By Maura Webber Sadovi • June 16, 2026
  • Blaze Pizza's new signature pizzas.
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    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
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    Blaze Pizza hires GoTo Foods alum as CFO

    The chain has struggled with a declining store base in recent years, despite menu changes and a loyalty overhaul. 

    By • June 16, 2026
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    Permission granted by Zaxbys
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    Zaxbys hires Waffle House vet as chief development officer

    Russell Holland, who has served as interim CDO since February, will support the chain’s aggressive growth as it expands past 1,000 units.

    By • June 12, 2026