Executive News

  • 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
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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
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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
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    Courtesy of First Watch
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    First Watch appoints CFO

    Ashlee Weisser, who has worked at First Watch since 2023, takes over for the retiring Mel Hope.

    By • June 9, 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, Tijuana Flats search for a new CEO

    The parent company of the two restaurant chains said its strategy has not changed since CEO Mike Burns left to take over Cafe Rio’s leadership.

    By • June 3, 2026
  • A view of a Taco Bell restaurant on February 06, 2025 in Dublin, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Yum Brands COO to retire after 25 years

    Tracy Skeans helped the company emerge as one of the clear QSR winners after the COVID-19 pandemic.

    By • June 3, 2026
  • A crowd of people stand in front of a dark gray building with a logo that says Saladworks
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    Courtesy of Woworks
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    Woworks hires former Subway exec as chief growth officer

    James Walker joins the six-branded company as it continues to expand nationwide through single-concept and co-branded locations.

    By • May 29, 2026
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    Permission granted by DogHaus
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    Dog Haus signs 50-unit deal, adds new execs

    The hot dog chain hopes recruiting high-performing operators from other restaurants will help it grow from over 50 stores to 1,500.

    By • May 29, 2026
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    Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
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    Church’s Texas Chicken appoints Popeyes vet as chief commercial officer

    Kevin Nemeth will oversee various aspects of the chain’s commercial strategy and help connect brand, digital, loyalty, menu and execution.

    By • May 26, 2026
  • An image of a building with a sign that says "Sweetgreen."
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen hires Chipotle exec as chief strategy officer

    Cindy Olsen will help oversee the beleaguered chain’s turnaround strategy after it posted its worst sales decline since going public.

    By • May 26, 2026
  • An image of a Smashburger restaurant in the evening light
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    Permission granted by Smashburger
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    Smashburger hires CMO in push for growth

    Kate Savelli, who previously worked at Einstein Bros.’ parent, will lead brand, consumer, menu and partnership strategies as the chain focuses on expansion.

    By • May 22, 2026
  • The Wendy's logo displayed near a Wendy's restaurant on June 18, 2024 in Austin, Texas.
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    Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s appoints Bob Wright as CEO

    Wright joins the fast food chain as it continues to face declining sales, store closures and pressure from an activist investor.

    By , • Updated May 20, 2026
  • An evening photo of Topfgolf with backlit lights and a white sign that says Topgolf.
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    Courtesy of Topgolf
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    Topgolf appoints over half a dozen execs following Callaway spinoff

    The company named new leadership spanning departments, including operations and finance, a few months after David McKillips became CEO.

    By • May 20, 2026
  • A Jack in the Box sign looms ominously from behind a hedge.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Lance Tucker out as Jack in the Box CEO

    Tucker held the CEO post for just over 13 months, coinciding with continued sales declines and a tough fight with activist investors. Mark King will succeed him on an interim basis.

    By • Updated May 13, 2026
  • A Chuck E. Cheese sign.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    CEC Entertainment adds Texas Roadhouse vet as CFO

    Chris Monroe will oversee the finance and real estate teams for Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company as it looks to expand.

    By • May 7, 2026
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    Courtesy of Shake Shack
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    Shake Shack appoints former Portillo’s CFO as it finance chief

    Michelle Hook will oversee financial operations at the fast casual chain as it works toward reaching 1,500 units.

    By • May 7, 2026
  • An evening shot of a building with white and red coloring and signage that says "Portillo's."
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s CFO departs

    Michelle Hook will pursue another opportunity after serving in her position for five years and playing an important role in Portillo’s 2021 IPO.

    By • May 5, 2026
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen hires Amazon, Starbucks alum as development chief

    The embattled fast casual chain’s newest C-suite appointment may signal a shift toward experiential store design.

    By • May 1, 2026
  • The sign on a Red Robin restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Red Robin hires long-time Bloomin’ exec as CFO

    Mark Graff, a former Bloomin’ exec, will oversee the burger brand’s finances as it undergoes its First Choice turnaround plan.

    By • April 30, 2026
  • An image of a red and white building with Freddy's signage.
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    Permission granted by Freddy's
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    Freddy’s hires 2 development execs as it nears 600 units

    Rafik Farouk will help the burger brand fill in existing markets and enter new ones, while Jackie Lobdell will work to recruit new operators.

    By • April 28, 2026
  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle appoints Fernando Machado as chief brand officer

    The former CMO at companies including Burger King and Activision Blizzard takes a role last held by longtime brand marketer Chris Brandt.

    By Chris Kelly • April 27, 2026
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    Kevin Frayer via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s US CIO to depart, successor named

    Mustafa Husain, former VP of restaurant technology engineering, will replace Valerie Ashbaugh starting May 1.

    By Roberto Torres • April 24, 2026
  • Children and consumers eat ice cream outside a Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams location.
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    Permission granted by Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
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    Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams scoops up Ben & Jerry’s CEO

    David Stever, who spent decades at the Vermont-based creamery, joins Jeni’s as it prepares for a new era of franchised national expansion.

    By • April 23, 2026