Executive News

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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s hires Outback Steakhouse vet as CEO

    Brett Patterson, who most recently served as CEO of Miller’s Ale House, joins the chain as it slows down its unit growth.

    By • Feb. 12, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    3 restaurant brands tap tech chiefs to scale operations

    Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers added IT chiefs to their ranks in recent weeks.

    By Roberto Torres • Feb. 11, 2026
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    Courtesy of HTeaO
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    HTeaO appoints Darden vet as CFO

    Chris Phillips, who also worked at Popeyes, will oversee finance and strategic planning as the Texas-based drive-thru chain grows past 150 units.

    By • Feb. 10, 2026
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Fat Brands CEO Andy Wiederhorn faces ouster by lenders

    The chief executive’s on-again-off-again tenure at Fat is under threat after a sale of Twin Hospitality stock, which creditors allege was irregular.

    By • Feb. 9, 2026
  • McDonald's is promoting Luis Quintiliano, its managing director in Spain, to lead its US field operations.
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s appoints field, finance execs

    In addition to the naming Luis Quintiliano as U.S. field president, the Golden Arches is rotating responsibilities between two finance executives.

    By • Feb. 5, 2026
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Chipotle spends more on marketing amid search for ‘unicorn’ CMO

    The fast casual chain plans to better support its marketing with targeted media as it looks to reverse negative sales growth.

    By Chris Kelly • Feb. 4, 2026
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    Courtesy of CEC Entertainment
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    CEC Entertainment names CEO amid expansion push

    CFO Scott Drake will become CEO and president of the eatertainment giant beginning Feb. 13, succeeding David McKillips, who has served in the post since 2020.

    By • Updated Feb. 3, 2026
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    P.F. Chang’s names new CMO following brand platform launch

    Holly Smith replaces Sonika Patel, who lasted less than a year in the role but oversaw the launch of a “Light the Fire” campaign around the holidays. 

    By Peter Adams • Jan. 30, 2026
  • A photograph of a yellow sign with Denny's in red.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Denny’s CEO Kelli Valade departs

    Valade will leave the chain, which was just sold to a group of private investors, after five years to become the CEO of nonprofit WFF in February.

    By • Updated Jan. 23, 2026
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    Courtesy of Inspire Brands
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    Shake Shack hires former Sonic leader as chief commercial officer

    Jim Taylor is the latest executive to join the chain, which adapted well to the headwinds in fast casual over the last year.

    By • Jan. 21, 2026
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    Permission granted by Del Taco
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    Del Taco owner appoints slate of execs amid turnaround

    Yadav Enterprises hired a CMO and a supply chain executive and created a chief transformation role as it prepares to improve Del Taco’s operations.

    By • Jan. 16, 2026
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    Courtesy of Wingstop
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    Wingstop appoints first COO in over 3 years

    Rajneesh Kapoor, who was promoted from president of international, succeeds Michael Skipworth and will oversee franchise and company-owned development.

    By • Jan. 15, 2026
  • A close up image of a round red sign that says "Chipotle Mexican Grill."
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    Courtesy of Chipotle/Photograph by Media Wisdom Photography Ltd
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    Chipotle brand chief Chris Brandt steps down

    The award-winning executive led marketing for the fast casual chain for nearly eight years.

    By Chris Kelly • Jan. 14, 2026
  • A person stands in front of a Cava logo with hands crossed.
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    Courtesy of Cava
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    Cava hires Texas Roadhouse vet as COO

    Doug Thompson, who spent over 20 years at the steakhouse chain, will oversee operations and build leadership teams as Cava targets 1,000 units.

    By • Jan. 13, 2026
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    Permission granted by White Castle
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    White Castle appoints CMO

    Jamie Richardson has worked at the chain for nearly 30 years and succeeds Lynn Blashford, who is retiring. 

    By • Jan. 9, 2026
  • John Owen, Blaze Pizza's new CEO, glowers at a camera. He is a white man in a black turtleneck and dark suit coat.
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    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
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    Q&A

    Why Blaze Pizza’s new CEO began his tenure making pizzas

    John Owen told Restaurant Dive that working shoulder to shoulder with restaurant staff increased his understanding of operational issues.

    By • Jan. 8, 2026
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    Retrieved from CKE Restaurants/LinkedIn on January 07, 2026
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    CKE Restaurants hires Habit Burger exec as Carl’s Jr brand president

    Iwona Alter brings nearly two decades of restaurant experience and has expertise in marketing and operations.

    By • Jan. 8, 2026
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    Permission granted by Huddle House
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    Huddle House hires brand president

    Bob Campbell, who helped grow Georgia-based Taco Mac to 30 units, will oversee the chain’s next phase of growth.

    By • Jan. 7, 2026
  • John Owen, Blaze Pizza's new CEO, glowers at a camera. He is a white man in a black turtleneck and dark suit coat.
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    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
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    Blaze Pizza names McDonald’s, Subway alum as CEO

    John Owen is tasked with improving the shrinking chain’s menu and operations to insulate it from the fast casual pizza sector struggles.

    By • Jan. 6, 2026
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    Courtesy of Dutch Bros
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    Dutch Bros hires Taco Bell, Cava vet as chief shops officer

    Jennifer Somers will oversee the company’s field organization and shop operations as it works toward opening 1,000 more units by 2029.

    By • Jan. 6, 2026
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    Courtesy of Dave's Hot Chicken
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    Dave’s Hot Chicken promotes COO to CEO

    Jim Bitticks succeeds Bill Phelps, who helmed the brand since 2019, and will continue to grow the chain that has nearly doubled its unit count since 2024. 

    By • Jan. 5, 2026
  • An image of a Twin Peaks restaurant in the daytime.
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    Permission granted by Twin Peaks
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    Twin Hospitality Group appoints Andy Wiederhorn as CEO

    The company terminated Kim Boerema as CEO in late December after over six months in the position.

    By • Jan. 5, 2026
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    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 • Dec. 22, 2025
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    Permission granted by 7 Brew
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    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 • Dec. 18, 2025
  • People walking in front of a Sweetgreen on Aug.8, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Sweetgreen cofounder exits beleaguered brand

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

    By , • Updated Dec. 17, 2025