Executive News: Page 2

  • Chipotle CFO Adam Rymer header
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    Permission granted by Adam Rymer
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    Q&A

    Chipotle CFO on expanding globally while maintaining a debt-free model

    Adam Rymer explains how the fast casual chain is using AI tools, funding rapid restaurant growth and operating with a debt-free balance sheet​​​​​.

    By Adam Zaki • March 23, 2026
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    Permission granted by Bonchon
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    Bonchon hires Pollo Campero vet as chief development officer

    Blas Escarcega joins the chain as it focuses on rapid growth in the U.S., where it now has over 150 units.

    By • March 20, 2026
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s hires former Papa Johns exec as chief development officer

    Jennifer Pecoraro-Striepling will oversee the chain’s real estate, site selection strategy and construction, and help develop prototypes in her new role.

    By • March 16, 2026
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    Krystal promotes COO from parent company

    Amanda Hyde expands her role at the QSR chain, partnering with operators and franchisees to improve performance and support growth.

    By • March 12, 2026
  • Jimmy John's has promoted chief marketing officer Darin Dugan to president.
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    Courtesy of Jimmy John's
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    Jimmy John’s promotes CMO to president

    Darin Dugan succeeds James North, who spent more than 20 years as the chain’s brand president.

    By • March 9, 2026
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Chili’s CMO promoted to translate winning playbook to Brinker’s other brand

    George Felix will lead marketing for both Chili’s and Maggiano’s Little Italy, which has lagged behind its sister brand’s eye-popping run of sales growth.

    By Peter Adams • March 4, 2026
  • Jack in the Box restaurant location
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box re-elects board, but chair will retire

    Shareholders approved a poison pill and re-elected the board, including David Goebel, despite a challenge from activist investor Sardar Biglari.

    By • March 3, 2026
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    Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
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    Red Lobster hires former P.F. Chang’s CEO as CFO

    Brad Hill will oversee the chain’s finances and real estate strategy as it focuses on long-term growth.

    By • Updated March 3, 2026
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    Courtesy of GoTo Foods
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    GoTo Foods appoints Roark exec as CFO

    Brett Ubl becomes chief financial officer at the restaurant company, while Francisco Bram joins as chief growth officer as the company prepares for additional global expansion.

    By • Feb. 27, 2026
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    What’s at stake in Jack in the Box’s board battle with Biglari?

    If the activist investor prevents David Goebel’s re-election as chair, the board could still reappoint him, likely starting a long and expensive board battle.

    By • Feb. 25, 2026
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    First Watch CFO to retire

    Mel Hope led the breakfast chain’s fiscal operations through a pandemic, an IPO and high inflation. His successor faces a strained consumer environment.

    By • Feb. 24, 2026
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    Courtesy of Topgolf
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    Topgolf hires David McKillips as CEO

    McKillips, former president and CEO of Chuck E. Cheese’s parent, will focus on the chain’s growth strategy now that it has been spun off from Callaway.

    By • Feb. 20, 2026
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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
  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
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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
  • A zoomed in image of a building with gold signage. The sign says "P.F. Chang's."
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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
  • The exterior of a Del Taco during the evening
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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
  • A photo of the outside of a Wingstop.
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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