Name: Chris Monroe

New title: CFO, Texas Roadhouse

Previous title: SVP of finance and treasurer, Southwest Airlines

Monroe, who has over 34 years of financial experience, joins the company after Tonya Robinson retired as CFO after 24 years with the chain. Most of Monroe’s career has been with Southwest Airlines, where he worked for 30 years. At Southwest, he was responsible for capital strategy planning and structure. Other responsibilities included corporate insurance, risk management, supply chain management and corporate sustainability, according to a press release. 

In his new position, Monroe will be responsible for “overseeing the company’s accounting, financial reporting, investor relations, tax, treasury, internal audit and financial analysis functions,” the company said. 

Monroe begins his position during a time of growth at Texas Roadhouse. The company expects to open 25 to 30 Texas Roadhouse and Bubba’s 33 company restaurants this year, according to an earnings release. During the first quarter, Texas Roadhouse same-store sales increased by 12.9% at company restaurants and 13.3% at domestic franchised restaurants. The company boosted its capital position by replaying the remainder of its debt.