Executive News

  • An evening image of Marco's Pizza
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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
  • Burger
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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
  • A person smiles while wearing a gray suit jacker and pink dotted blouse.
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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
  • An image of a person smiling at the camera. The person is wearing a suit.
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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
  • An image of a storefront with Auntie Anne's and Jamba branding
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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
  • An image of a person standing and smiling. The person is wearing a navy blue suit.
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    Courtesy of GoTo Foods
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    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 • Nov. 18, 2025
  • An image of a person smiling and wearing a gray suit.
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    Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
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    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 • Updated Nov. 11, 2025
  • An image of a brown building with BJ's logo.
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    Permission granted by BJ's Restaurant
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    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 • Nov. 6, 2025
  • A photogrpah of a multi-colored building with a sign in red that says "Red Robin."
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    CRobertson via Getty Images
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    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 • Nov. 6, 2025
  • Popeyes signage
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    Courtesy of Popeyes
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    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 • Nov. 5, 2025
  • An exterior image of a white restaurant with a yellow decoration and signs that say Church's Chicken
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    Courtesy of Church's Chicken
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    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 • Nov. 3, 2025
  • Kelly McCulloch smiles at the camera. She is Inspire Brands chief people officer.
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    Courtesy of Inspire
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    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 • Oct. 28, 2025
  • A photograph of a Potbelly sandwich shop sign.
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    Andrew Burton via Getty Images
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    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 • Oct. 24, 2025
  • The interior of SeoulSpice's first restaurant in Chicago.
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    Permission granted by SeoulSpice
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    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 • Oct. 23, 2025
  • A photograph of a person smiling and sitting at a table
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    Courtesy of Ascent Hospitality Management
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    Ascent Hospitality appoints CEO

    Paul Damico, former Fuzzy’s Taco CEO, succeeds Jim O’Reilly as the restaurant company embarks on its next growth phase, which could include more brand acquisitions.

    By • Updated Oct. 23, 2025
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera Bread hires CFO

    ABM Industries veteran Earl Ellis brings 30 years of financial leadership experience to the fast casual chain, which is in the midst of a transformation.

    By • Oct. 20, 2025
  • An exterior view of a whataburger restaurant including its drive-thru
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    hapabapa via Getty Images
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    Whataburger taps tech chief to guide infrastructure rollout

    Rohit Kapoor, formerly EVP and CIO at Claire's, will be tasked with leading an expansion of the company's digital infrastructure in support of its growth plans.

    By Roberto Torres • Oct. 17, 2025
  • A person stands in a parking lot with a blurred building with Swig signage in the background.
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    Courtesy of Swig
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    Swig plots aggressive growth with new president, franchise chief

    The dirty soda brand promoted Todd Smith from chief commercial officer to president and hired Shannon Swenson as chief of franchise partnerships.

    By • Oct. 7, 2025