Executive News
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Portillo’s names Jack in the Box exec as COO
Tony Darden joins Portillo’s as the chain focuses on improving operations and building restaurants with high AUVs.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 3, 2024 -
Maggiano’s appoints KFC exec to marketing role
Mike Wesley, who spent 14 years in marketing positions at the fried chicken brand, will help the casual chain amplify brand awareness and drive marketing and promotional activities.
By Julie Littman • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Jack in the Box eliminates COO position
Tony Darden will leave his position as SVP and COO and Ryan Ostrom, current EVP and chief marketing and digital officer, will assume responsibility for Jack in the Box’s operations.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 27, 2024 -
Subway CEO John Chidsey to retire
Chidsey will leave the company after five years, and Carrie Walsh, current president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, will serve as interim CEO.
By Julie Littman • Updated Nov. 26, 2024 -
Portillo’s CMO named CEO at Giordano’s pizza chain
Nick Scarpino, who has worked in various marketing roles at Portillo’s since 2015, will succeed Yorgo Koutsogiorgas in December.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 22, 2024 -
Starbucks appoints former Mars sustainability exec as CSO
Marika McCauley Sine, who previously served as Mars’ global vice president of sustainability and chief sustainability officer, will oversee the coffee chain’s net-zero transition.
By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Smoothie King hires Red Robin exec as CIO
Jyoti Lynch is tasked with creating a comprehensive technology strategy to enhance the guest experience and improve franchise profitability.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 20, 2024 -
Wendy’s hires Ken Cook to succeed Gunther Plosch as CFO
Cook, a former UPS financial exec, joins the company as it closes some weak stores but sees overall sales strength relative to other QSR burger chains.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 19, 2024 -
GoTo Foods names former IHOP exec as chief commercial officer
Kieran Donahue will oversee various aspects of the commercial division, including marketing, branding and consumer insights and analytics.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 19, 2024 -
Jack in the Box hires Lance Tucker as CFO again
Tucker rejoins the brand as it eyes significant franchising growth but faces comparable sales headwinds.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 14, 2024 -
Chipotle names Scott Boatwright permanent CEO
Boatwright, who has been interim CEO since August, said on an earnings call that the chain will continue its current strategies and focus on operational efficiency.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 11, 2024 -
Sponsored by Masters of Scale
Masters of Scale Live series offers the key to restaurant success
Masters of Scale Live launches their inaugural event in New York City with restaurateur Danny Meyer.
Nov. 11, 2024 -
Papa Johns names new CMO to elevate data-driven creativity
Jenna Bromberg, previously director of core marketing at Pizza Hut, joins Papa Johns as it works to improve perceptions around value and loyalty experiences.
By Peter Adams • Nov. 7, 2024 -
Tropical Smoothie Cafe appoints new CEO
Max Wetzel, who previously served as CEO at CKE Restaurants for over a year, joins the smoothie chain months after it was acquired by Blackstone.
By Julie Littman • Nov. 4, 2024 -
Red Lobster hires Brinker exec as COO
Larry Konecny joins the seafood chain, which recently emerged from Chapter 11, after a 17-year tenure at Maggiano’s Little Italy.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 4, 2024 -
Red Lobster names new CMO
Nichole Robillard, who recently led a rebrand for Smokey Bones, was praised for her ability to blend creative and operational expertise.
By Peter Adams • Oct. 24, 2024 -
Qdoba hires Applebee’s exec as COO
Kevin Carroll has over 30 years of restaurant experience and most recently served as COO at Applebee's overseeing 1,600 units.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 24, 2024 -
Red Lobster hires Yum Brands vet as CFO
Bob Baker brings 30 years of restaurant experience to the brand that emerged from Chapter 11 in September.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 23, 2024 -
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop names new president, COO
The Dine Brand chain promoted Patrick Kirk to the dual role of president and CMO and hired Marshall Claycamp from sister brand IHOP as its COO.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 21, 2024 -
Starbucks appoints ex-Chipotle exec as first global chief brand officer
Tressie Lieberman joins the coffee chain as part of new CEO Brian Niccol’s marketing overhaul, which also includes a recent agency appointment.
By Chris Kelly • Oct. 21, 2024 -
Dog Haus signs 25-unit franchise deal with boxer Jake Paul
The controversial YouTuber will join the company’s board and bring his star power to the brand as it looks to juice sales.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 17, 2024 -
Domino’s promotes brand chief to CMO to sharpen global strategy
Kate Trumbull, who helped revamp the chain’s loyalty program, is tasked with scaling its Hungry for MORE initiative to international markets.
By Peter Adams • Oct. 17, 2024 -
Togo’s appoints CFO to CEO position
Matt Dowling, who has been CFO for three years, will continue in that role while also taking on the top executive position.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 16, 2024 -
Q&A // Meet the exec
How Rusty Taco’s president is plotting sustainable growth
Daniel Smith, who joined the chain earlier this year, is restructuring corporate to assist operators, boost franchise communication and optimize its business.
By Julie Littman • Oct. 9, 2024 -
Jack in the Box CFO is leaving
Brand veteran Dawn Hooper will serve as interim CFO for the third time since 2020 after Brian Scott departs in November for a position outside the restaurant industry.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 4, 2024