Executive News: Page 9

  • A photograph of Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti jumping in the air in front of a Shake Shack
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    Courtesy of Shake Shack
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    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
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    Permission granted by Rock N Roll Sushi
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    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
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    The image by Cbraccialini is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    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.
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    Permission granted by Huddle House
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    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.
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    Courtesy of Sprinkles
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    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.
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    Courtesy of Brinker
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    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
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    Courtesy of Checkers & Rally's
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    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
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    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
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    Courtesy of Uncle Julio's
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    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
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    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
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    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
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    Permission granted by Shipley Do-Nuts
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    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
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    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
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    Courtesy of CEC Entertainment
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    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.
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    Courtesy of El Pollo Loco
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    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
  • An image of Scooter's Coffee CEO Joe Thornton
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    Courtesy of Scooter's Coffee
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    Scooter’s Coffee promotes president to CEO

    Joe Thornton, who has been the chain’s president since 2022, will become CEO on Jan. 1 as the nearly 750-unit chain works toward 1,000 locations. 

    By • Nov. 2, 2023
  • An image of Weldon Spangler, CEO of TGI Fridays
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    Courtesy of TGI Fridays
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    TGI Fridays turns over CEO post for second time in 2 months

    Board member Weldon Spangler succeeds Brandon Coleman, who was promoted from CMO to the top brass in August.

    By • Oct. 31, 2023
  • An image of Nicolle DuBose, CMO of Playa bowls, wearing a turquoise blouse
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    Courtesy of Playa Bowls
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    Playa Bowls hires Focus Brands vet as CMO

    Nicolle DuBose, who has over 20 years of marketing experience at food and beverage brands, joins the health food chain as it surpasses 200 units.

    By • Oct. 23, 2023
  • One of P.F. Chang's flagship locations.
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    Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
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    P.F. Chang’s hires Panera exec as CEO and president

    Eduardo Luz, who worked as chief brand and concept officer at Panera Bread, has over 30 years of experience working with restaurant and CPG brands.

    By • Oct. 23, 2023
  • Sam Jackson will serve as Domino's EVP of Human Relations beginning Nov. 4
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    Courtesy of Domino's Pizza
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    Domino’s promotes EVP of human resources

    The company has struggled with labor retention and recruitment, especially of delivery drivers, since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    By • Oct. 17, 2023
  • Denny's is bringing on a new exec to lead its information technology efforts.
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    Courtesy of Denny's
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    Denny’s hires Brinker exec as first chief digital and technology officer

    Pankaj Patra joins Denny’s from Brinker and will oversee the digital and technological aspects of both Denny’s and Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, which Denny’s acquired in 2022.

    By • Oct. 16, 2023
  • 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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    Focus Brands hires 3 execs in focus on company-wide operations

    The new hires, who have authority across all seven brands, will bolster the chain’s efforts to co-brand units and take advantage of purchasing power.

    By • Oct. 16, 2023
  • An image of Eric Lavinder, chief development officer of Paris Baguette. He is wearing a blue suit
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    Permission granted by Paris Baguette
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    Paris Baguette appoints Duck Donuts exec as chief development officer

    Eric Lavinder brings over 20 years of restaurant experience to the cafe chain, which aims to reach 1,000 units in the U.S. by 2030.

    By • Oct. 9, 2023
  • Outback Steakhouse exterior
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    Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
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    Bloomin’ eliminates casual dining COO position

    The company didn’t say which executives would take responsibility for the COO’s duties when Gregg Scarlett leaves — and the position is cut — in March.

    By • Oct. 3, 2023