Executive News: Page 7

  • In this photo illustration, a 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 names new chief supply chain officer

    Kurt Milburn takes up the role as the pizza chain looks to cut supply chain costs and boost productivity.

    By Alejandra Carranza • May 3, 2024
  • Donatos Pizza executives Tom Krouse and Kevin King
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    Courtesy of Donatos Pizza
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    Donatos CEO to retire, president will assume post

    Tom Krouse will retire in October after 20-plus years at the pizza chain. President Kevin King will take on the role of CEO upon Krouse’s retirement. 

    By • May 1, 2024
  • The prize center inside a Dave & Buster's restaurant
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    Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic via Getty Images
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    Former Chuck E. Cheese exec takes Dave & Buster’s CFO seat

    The change comes as Dave & Buster's looks to drive growth through a dining experience overhaul, among other initiatives.

    By Alexei Alexis • April 25, 2024
  • Fuzzy's Taco Shop CMO Patrick Kirk
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    Courtesy of Fuzzy's Taco Shop
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    Fuzzy’s Taco Shop taps Applebee’s vet as CMO

    In his new role, Patrick Kirk will oversee all aspects of marketing, including advertising, digital marketing and culinary and beverage innovation. 

    By • April 23, 2024
  • MOD Pizza
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    Permission granted by MOD Pizza
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    Mod Pizza hires Raising Cane’s exec as CMO

    Jennifer Anderson brings nearly two decades of marketing and culinary experience to her new position, where she will oversee digital marketing, menu development and consumer insights and engagement. 

    By • April 17, 2024
  • An image of a white building with red stripes and KFC branding.
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    Moses Robinson via Getty Images
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    KFC names new CFO amid push to boost sales

    The finance leadership change comes as KFC struggles with dwindling traffic in a dicey economic environment.

    By Alexei Alexis • April 11, 2024
  • An image of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop CEO Jeff Galletly standing in from of a Brooklyn Dumpling Shop logo.
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    Permission granted by Brooklyn Dumpling Shop
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    Brooklyn Dumpling Shop hires former RBI exec as CEO

    Jeff Galletly will oversee operations, store development, franchise expansion and menu innovation as the chain expands in new markets.

    By • April 10, 2024
  • An image of Checkers & Rally's former CEO Frances Allen
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    Permission granted by Checkers & Rally's
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    Checkers & Rally’s CEO resigns

    Frances Allen, who has led the chain since 2020, oversaw the deployment of a modern image redesign and voice artificial intelligence at drive-thrus.

    By • April 5, 2024
  • A portrait photograph of Blake Devillier, who joined CKE as Carl's Jr. USA president on April 1.
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    Courtesy of CKE Restaurants
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    CKE names Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr. US brand presidents

    Blake Devillier joined Carl’s Jr. as president, USA on April 1, after Chris Bode was appointed president of Hardee’s USA in the fall, signaling a growing divergence in brand identities.

    By • April 4, 2024
  • Outback Steakhouse exterior
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    Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
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    Bloomin’ promotes Michael Healy to CFO

    Healy took the role when Christopher Meyer retired on April 1, as Bloomin’ faces uneven performance across its restaurant chains.

    By • April 4, 2024
  • An evening image of Marco's Pizza
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    Permission granted by Marco's Pizza
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    Marco’s Pizza appoints COO as it aggressively franchises

    John Meyers previously served as SVP of finance and analytics at the chain and will now oversee departments like technology, supply chain and operations.

    By • April 2, 2024
  • A promotional image for Chester's redesigned chicken sandwich, which launched in 2023.
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    Courtesy of Chester's Chicken
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    Chester’s Chicken hires EVP of supply chain

    Since Bill Rice joined the chain in January, the chicken brand has already launched a supply chain optimization study.

    By • April 2, 2024
  • A portrait photo of Jay Rooney, the new CFO for Rave Restaurant Group.
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    Courtesy of Rave Restaurant Group
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    Rave Restaurant Group appoints 6 execs, including new CFO

    The company hired Jay Rooney as chief financial officer as it focuses on growing its buffet concept while overall unit count shrinks.

    By • March 27, 2024
  • An exterior image of a Pizza Hut with bricks and red signage
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    Courtesy of Yum Brands/Pizza Hut
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    Pizza Hut US president resigns

    David Graves is leaving the chain after serving four years in multiple roles, and global CEO Aaron Powell will assume his responsibilities for the time being.

    By • March 26, 2024
  • A black sign that says Red Lobster that is outside of a building that also says Red Lobster
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Red Lobster appoints another CEO

    Jonathan Tibus, who helped chains like Kona Grill and Krystal during bankruptcy, joins the struggling seafood chain following Horace Dawson's retirement.

    By • March 25, 2024
  • A Starbucks store stands in Manhattan on January 30, 2024 in New York City.
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Starbucks names new chief procurement officer

    Heather Ostis will focus on improving supplier performance and building network resiliency, among other goals.

    By S.L. Fuller • March 25, 2024
  • A portrait photo of Ravi Thanawala, Papa Johns incoming CFO.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns CFO takes interim-CEO post

    Ravi Thanawala, who has been CFO since 2023, will step in to lead the company as Rob Lynch leaves to take the helm at Shake Shack.

    By , • March 21, 2024
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack hires Papa Johns’ Rob Lynch as CEO

    Lynch will succeed Randy Garutti, who has been at the burger chain for over 20 years, on May 20.

    By • Updated March 21, 2024
  • An image of a Smashburger restaurant in the evening light
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    Permission granted by Smashburger
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    Smashburger appoints Starbucks veteran as CEO

    Denise Nelsen, former SVP of U.S. operations at Starbucks, started her new role overseeing Smashburger’s growth and menu innovation in January.

    By • March 20, 2024
  • A portrait photo of Heather Neary, Taco John's new CEO.
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    Permission granted by Taco John's
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    Ex-Auntie Anne’s president joins Taco John’s as CEO

    Heather Neary replaces longtime CEO Jim Creel as the taco chain looks to grow within its existing markets and to enter new areas.

    By • March 20, 2024
  • An image of Jennifer Schuler, Handel's Ice Cream CEO
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    Permission granted by Handel's Ice Cream
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    Handel’s Ice Cream hires former Wetzel’s Pretzels chief as CEO

    Jennifer Schuler joins the 130-unit brand after nine years at Wetzel’s, including five years as CEO, as the chain expects to surpass $130 million in systemwide sales this year.

    By • March 19, 2024
  • An image of a man sitting at a table inside a McDonald's
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    Courtesy of McDonald's
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    McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski to become board chair

    After eight years as chair and 28 years on McDonald’s board, Enrique Hernandez will retire at the chain’s annual shareholder meeting later this year.

    By • March 19, 2024
  • An image of a redesigned Starbucks line.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks, Joshua Trujillo
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    Starbucks adds regional CEOs, eliminates CMO post

    The chain added CEOs for its North America and international divisions to give those regions more autonomy as it pursues its ambitious reinvention plan. 

    By • March 19, 2024
  • Qdoba chief development officer Jeremy Vitaro
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    Courtesy of Qdoba
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    Qdoba hires Little Caesars exec as chief development officer

    Jeremy Vitaro joins the 750-unit chain as it tries to double its store count to 1,500 units in a decade. 

    By • March 18, 2024
  • 7-Eleven
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    Retrieved from 7-Eleven.
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    7-Eleven taps former McDonald’s and Wendy’s exec to lead restaurant operations

    William Armstrong, who spent over a decade with both fast food brands, will spearhead the division that includes Laredo Taco Company and Raise the Roost Chicken & Biscuits.

    By Brett Dworski • March 18, 2024