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.
Several big brands made new hires in their C-suites, most notably both CKE Restaurants and Inspire Brands have new CIOs and Papa John's now has a global CMO, a position that has undergone significant turnover in recent years.
Check out the latest exec changes below:
March 25
CKE Restaurants: The parent company of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's hired Darla Morse as CIO, who recently served in the same capacity at Inspire Brands. In her new role at CKE Restaurants, she will oversee global information systems that support internal and external operations and create an infrastructure that will help the company’s international growth strategy, according to a press release.
Inspire Brands: Raghu Sagi will become the company's new CIO, replacing Darla Morse, effective April 15, according to a press release. He will be responsible for leading technology initiatives, including leveraging existing and emerging technologies to enhance 1.7 billion guest interactions at its restaurants each year. Sagi most recently served as chief engineering officer for Sephora Americas.
Modern Market Eatery: Robin Robison has been promoted from vice president of operations to chief operations officer, according to Nation's Restaurant News. In her new role, Robison will focus on growing sales and to further its people-first employment philosophy. She joined Modern Market in 2014 and previously worked at Bob Evans Restaurants, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brinker International.
March 26
El Pollo Loco: Miguel Lozano, formerly of Starbucks, has been hired as chief operating officer. Before serving at Starbucks for more than 20 years, Lozano worked at El Pollo Loco for six years and was also a franchisee for the restaurant for seven years. In his new role, he will help simplify operations and help drive brand growth and increase revenue, according to Restaurant Business.
Red Robin: Beverly Carmichael will resign from her position as executive vice president and chief people, culture and resource officer after serving since December 2017, according to an SEC filing. She previously worked at Cracker Barrel and also was as a board member for Women's Foodservice Forum and the Society for Human Resource Management, according to Nation's Restaurant News.
March 27
Little Caesars: The pizza chain has promoted its global marketing executive Edward Gleich to chief innovation officer. He has been with the company since 2011 and in his marketing role he expanded the brand into national media advertising, added new menu items and promoted successful LTOs. In the newly created position, Gleich will evaluate evolving business needs and allocate resources to drive the brand and its products forward, according to a press release.
Dickey's: Jay Rooney, who served as vice president of finance and accounting for two years at the company, has been promoted to CFO, a newly created position. Prior to Dickey's, Rooney worked for about 20 years in various roles in finance at Brinker International.
March 28
Papa John's: Karlin Linhardt has been appointed global chief marketing officer. He has extensive experience in the QSR industry and has worked at Fortune-500 restaurant companies. He most recently served at Subway and has also worked at Accenture, Anheuser-Busch and McDonald's.
