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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 22, 2025

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 Julie Littman • Dec. 18, 2025

Sweetgreen cofounder exits beleaguered brand

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

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne , Emma Liem Beckett • Updated Dec. 17, 2025

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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 16, 2025

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 Julie Littman • Dec. 11, 2025

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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 11, 2025

4 generations, 1 legendary burger

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

Dec. 8, 2025

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 Julie Littman • Dec. 3, 2025

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 Julie Littman • Dec. 2, 2025

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 Julie Littman • Dec. 2, 2025

GoTo Foods appoints CEO

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

By Julie Littman • Updated Dec. 2, 2025

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 Julie Littman , Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 1, 2025

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 Julie Littman • Dec. 1, 2025

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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 25, 2025

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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 24, 2025

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

Auntie Anne’s hires Chili’s vet as chief brand officer

Nathan Baldwin joins GoTo Food’s pretzel chain in the midst of a brand refresh and push to develop more streetside locations and co-branded restaurants.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 18, 2025

P.F. Chang’s hires CEO

Jim Mazany brings decades of restaurant executive experience to the Asian chain, which is poised to ramp up growth and refine its fast casual concept. 

By Julie Littman • Updated Nov. 11, 2025

BJ’s Restaurants hires Red Robin exec as CFO

Todd Wilson will join the company in December and will help improve the brand’s financial foundation and help it achieve its long-term strategic goals.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 6, 2025

Red Robin names COO, CFO departs

Todd Wilson will leave the company on Dec. 12 after three years at the casual dining chain, which also promoted Jesse Griffith to chief operating officer.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 6, 2025

RBI appoints new Popeyes US president, Burger King US COO

Peter Perdue has been promoted to Popeyes U.S. and Canada president, and Nicolas Henrich is now Burger King U.S. chief operating officer.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 5, 2025

Church’s Texas Chicken hires Jimmy John’s vet as development chief

Bobby Morena will help the chicken QSR reach its goal of $2 billion in systemwide sales through domestic franchising growth.

By Julie Littman • Nov. 3, 2025

Inspire hires Yum vet to lead HR operations

Kelly McCulloch brings over two decades of QSR HR experience to her new position, where she will oversee a global system that includes 650,000 workers.

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 28, 2025

Potbelly promotes COO to president following RaceTrac buyout

Adam Noyes has become president of the sandwich chain while CEO Bob Wright will remain in his post through the end of the year. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 24, 2025

SeoulSpice expands C-suite ahead of national growth

The Korean food chain brought on four fast casual vets to lead operations, marketing, finance and development. 

By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 23, 2025