Executive News: Page 12

  • Thuthuka Nxumalo, KFC U.S. COO, effective Feb. 5, and Christophe Poirier, KFC U.S. chief new concept officer, effective Feb. 1.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of KFC
    Image attribution tooltip

    KFC appoints US operations chief and new concept officer

    Thuthuka Nxumalo and Christophe Poirier will join the brand’s American C-suite from other divisions of Yum Brands as KFC looks to modernize its concept.

    By • Jan. 17, 2024
  • A portrait photo of Suzie Tsai, Bonchon U.S.'s new chief growth officer.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Bonchon
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bonchon names US CEO

    Suzie Tsai, who joined the chain as chief growth officer in August, becomes the Korean fried chicken chain’s U.S. CEO as it plans to double its presence in the country within five years. 

    By • Jan. 16, 2024
  • Blue and purple Taco Bell sauce packets are inscribed with messages against a metaverse-themed backdrop.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Taco Bell Corp. on August 25, 2022
    Image attribution tooltip

    Yum names Pizza Hut exec as chief digital and technology officer

    Joe Park, who directed the rollout of Pizza Hut’s managerial tool HutBot and early deployments of Dragontail AI, assumes his role on March 1.

    By • Jan. 11, 2024
  • 7-Eleven
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
    Image attribution tooltip

    7-Eleven’s top foodservice executive departs

    Jack Stout, who before last summer was the retailer’s chief merchandising officer for nearly five years, left the company at the end of 2023.

    By Brett Dworski • Jan. 8, 2024
  • Beth Scott, Mod Pizza CEO
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Mod Pizza
    Image attribution tooltip

    Mod Pizza hires Cooper’s Hawk exec as CEO

    Beth Scott assumes the fast casual pizza chain’s top post and co-founder Scott Svenson steps down after 15 years to serve as executive chairman. 

    By • Updated Jan. 8, 2024
  • Dutch Bros Coffee's president, Christine Barone will replace Joth Ricci as CEO. Pictured is a Dutch Bros unit.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Dutch Bros
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dutch Bros brings on 3 C-suite execs

    Joshua Guenser, previously of Mod Pizza, becomes CFO while Sumitro Ghosh, previously from Nike, will take the president of operations post and Jess Elmquist, previously of Phenom People, becomes chief people officer. 

    By • Jan. 8, 2024
  • The prize center inside a Dave & Buster's restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dave & Buster’s CFO retires

    Michael Quartieri, who led the chain’s financial operations through its acquisition of Main Event, will depart on April 30, 2024.

    By • Dec. 21, 2023
  • A portrait photo of Rick Brown, CFO of Brix Holdings
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Brix Holdings
    Image attribution tooltip

    Brix hires TGI Fridays alum as CFO

    Rick Brown, who previously served in leadership roles at TGI Fridays for 14 years, joins Brix as the company plans rapid growth across all of its brands.

    By • Dec. 19, 2023
  • An exterior image of a restaurant with glass windows and a sign that says sweetgreen.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Sweetgreen/BusinessWire on August 10, 2022
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sweetgreen chief development officer will step down

    Jim McPhail will leave the company on Dec. 31 after working as CDO for four years, and Timothy Noonan has been promoted to SVP of development and will assume McPhail’s development responsibilities.

    By • Dec. 18, 2023
  • Wingstop's new Dallas location will serve as a laboratory for new restaurant layouts.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Wingstop
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wingstop names CIO

    Chris Fallon joins the wing brand as it prepares to roll out a $50 million in-house technology platform built to allow it to leave Olo’s system.

    By • Dec. 15, 2023
  • An image of Ray Risley, U.S. president and COO at TGI Fridays and Nik Rupp, CFO of TGI Fridays
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by TGI Fridays
    Image attribution tooltip

    TGI Fridays hires COO, CFO

    Ray Risley becomes U.S. president and COO while Nik Rupp joins the chain as CFO and president of international markets, less than two months after Weldon Spangler was hired as CEO.

    By • Dec. 13, 2023
  • A photograph of Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti jumping in the air in front of a Shake Shack
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Shake Shack
    Image attribution tooltip

    Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti to retire in 2024

    Garutti, who became the chain’s CEO in 2011, will depart the company as it prepares to open 80 units next year and expand its drive-thru footprint. 

    By • Dec. 11, 2023
  • An image of Craig LeMieux, CEO of Rock N Roll Sushi and Terri Jessen, VP of operations
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Rock N Roll Sushi
    Image attribution tooltip

    Rock N Roll Sushi hires experienced franchise exec as CEO

    Craig LeMieux, who has decades of franchising experience, will lead the chain as its top executive. Terri Jessen was appointed VP of operations. 

    By • Dec. 7, 2023
  • An exterior shot of a Red Robin restaurant, which is lit from inside, at night
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Cbraccialini is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Red Robin appoints chief people officer

    Meghan Spuler joins the casual chain in the midst of its ongoing North Star Plan transformation, which includes a new staffing model.

    By • Dec. 7, 2023
  • A photograph of a restaurant with the words Huddle House on the side.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Huddle House
    Image attribution tooltip

    Huddle House hires former Long John Silver’s CEO as brand president

    Blain Shortreed, who has over 30 years of restaurant experience, will oversee company operations, franchising, marketing and culinary innovation.

    By • Dec. 4, 2023
  • Justin Murakami was promoted to COO of Sprinkles in Nov. 2023.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Sprinkles
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sprinkles promotes new COO

    Justin Murakami will lead operations as the company prepares to expand its network of production and pantry bakeries, as well as its cupcake “ATMs.”

    By • Dec. 1, 2023
  • A portrait photo of Dominique Bertolone, incoming president of Maggiano's little italy.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Brinker
    Image attribution tooltip

    Brinker appoints MGM Resorts exec as Maggiano’s president

    Dominique Bertolone joins the casual dining Italian brand as it faces sliding traffic and looks to resume growth.

    By • Dec. 1, 2023
  • Checkers fries
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Checkers & Rally's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Checkers and Rally’s names CFO, CMO

    Michael Blair, previously at Miller’s Ale House, joins the chain as CFO, while Scott Johnson, previously at Jollibee, takes the CMO role.

    By • Nov. 17, 2023
  • An image of Jeff Shepherd, Subway CFO, in front of a green and white Subway logo
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Subway
    Image attribution tooltip

    Subway names CFO

    Jeff Shepherd brings nearly 30 years of financial experience to his position at Subway and succeeds Ben Wells, who joined the chain in December 2019. 

    By • Nov. 15, 2023
  • An evening photo of Uncle Julio's restaurant with dim lighting
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Uncle Julio's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Uncle Julio’s hires CEO, COO

    Scott Lawton adds the CEO role at Uncle Julio's to his resume, while RJ Thomas, former CEO of King's Seafood Company, becomes president and COO.

    By • Nov. 13, 2023
  • An image of a Noodles & Company restaurant with outdoor seating
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
    Image attribution tooltip

    Noodles & Company CEO departs

    Dave Boennighausen, who held the CEO post for six years, is out following the board’s decision to transition leadership. Board member Drew Madsen was named interim chief. 

    By • Nov. 10, 2023
  • Brad Reynolds, Shipley Do-Nuts CFO, in front of an orange background
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Shipley Do-Nuts
    Image attribution tooltip

    Shipley Do-Nuts appoints Blaze Pizza exec as CFO

    Brad Reynolds joined the chain as CFO and Chris Smith became VP of operations, as Shipley pursues franchised growth and entry to new markets. 

    By • Nov. 8, 2023
  • An image of Chipotle's chief human resources officer Ilene Eskenazi and chief people officer Lois Alexis-Collins
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Chipotle
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle hires top HR execs as it continues to grow its workforce

    Ilene Eskenazi has been hired as the chain’s chief human resources officer, and Lois Alexis-Collins is now chief people officer, field operations. 

    By • Nov. 8, 2023
  • Mark Kupferman, chief insights and marketing officer, at Chuck E. Cheese
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of CEC Entertainment
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chuck E. Cheese hires chief insights and marketing officer

    Mark Kupferman, who worked at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, brings over 25 years of marketing experience to his position at the eatertainment chain.

    By • Nov. 7, 2023
  • El Pollo Loco's first LA Mex restaurants, which emphasize off-premise, opened in 2021.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
    Image attribution tooltip

    El Pollo Loco CEO departs after 10 years with chain

    Maria Hollandsworth, the company’s COO, becomes interim president and CEO following Larry Roberts’ departure from the company. 

    By • Nov. 3, 2023