This is the latest installment in a series that highlights major executive changes at top fast casual, QSR and casual dining chains over the past week.
National brands Papa John's, Chipotle and Potbelly appointed new directors to their boards, with Papa John's and Chipotle each adding a female board member. Diversity at all levels of management has been an increased focus for many brands.
Check out the latest executive changes below:
March 15
Papa John's: Michael Dubin, CEO and founder of Dollar Shave Club, and Jocelyn Mangan, CEO and founder of Him for Her and former executive of Snagajob and OpenTable, joined the pizza chain’s board of directors as independent directors. Mangan, who also serves on the board at ChowNow, has experience in restaurant technology while Dubin is expected to share his operational and marketing knowledge.
Chipotle: Kimbal Musk, owner of The Kitchen Cafe, is stepping down as a board member at the fast casual chain. He has been on the board since 2013. Scott Maw, a former Starbucks CFO and EVP, and Patricia Fili-Krushel, CEO of think tank Center for Talent Innovation, joined the board effective immediately.
March 18
Starbucks: Cliff Burrows, who is in charge of the company's Siren Retail division that includes Roastery, Reserve, Teavana and Princi brands will be taking an unpaid leave of absence and plans to travel in Europe with his family, according to The Seattle Times. Employees with benefits are allowed to serve unpaid leave for up to 12 months after serving for 10 years. Burrows has been working at Starbucks since 2001.
Potbelly: Board members Pete Bassi, Ann-Marie Campbell and Harvey Kanter will not seek re-election to the restaurant's board of directors, according to QSR Magazine. Bassi, who will be retiring, has served on the board since 2009. Campbell and Kanter, who will be pursuing other opportunities, have been on the board since August 2014 and August 2015, respectively. Dan Ginsberg, who has been a director since 2014, will take over as chairman of the board when Bassi retires. The board is actively seeking two directors in the future.
March 19
Fiesta Restaurant Group: Danny K. Meisenheimer is stepping down as senior vice president, chief operating officer and president of Pollo Tropical effective May 1, according to an SEC filing. His position will be eliminated and Fiesta Restaurant Group CEO and president Richard Stockinger will assume executive management responsibilities for Pollo Tropical.
March 20
Smoothie King: Thomas Kim has been named chief financial officer to help assist the brand’s growth and transition into a health and wellness brand. He previously worked at YourCause and Working Solutions.
