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.
This year several brands have hired top HR executives to provide people-first culture and oversee recruitment and human resource operations. Aside from Domino's and Black Bear Diner, Papa John's hired its first chief people officer, Dunkin' brought on a new SVP and chief human resources officer and Shake Shack hired an SVP of people resources.
Check out the latest leadership changes below:
Aug. 1
Dine Brands: Susan M. Collyns joins the board of directors, effective immediately, according to a press release. The board of directors previously approved an increase to the size of its board from nine to 10 directors. She will serve as an independent director. She is currently president and CFO at Beachbody. She was previously CFO at Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp. and acted as the CFO and COO for 10 years at California Pizza Kitchen. Collyns is also on the board of directors at Waitr Holdings.
July 31
Domino's: Lisa V. Price will become the company's EVP, chief human resources officer, effective Aug. 26, according to a press release. She will be part of the pizza chain’s executive team and will report to CEO Ritch Allison. Price previously worked at Nordstrom, but spent most of her career at Starbucks.
Golden Corral: The grill-buffet chain appointed Shirley Rogers Reece and Mark Nelson to its board of directors, according to a press release emailed to Restaurant Dive. Rogers Reece's past experience includes a VP/general manager position at McDonald's, where she ran a development team responsible for new restaurant openings and rebuilds of aging restaurants. She has also worked at World-Wide Training and served on the boards of directors for Ohio State University Hospital, Mt. Carmel College of Nursing, Ronald McDonald House and Columbus Academy. Nelson spent over 25 years at Aramark Corp. in various positions until he retired in 2016 as president of the higher education line of service.
July 30
Black Bear Diner: The family dining chain hired Tammy Johns as its first Chief People Officer, reporting to company president and CFO Anita Adams, according to a press release. Johns will will ensure that the restaurant’s people-first culture remains as the company continues its high-growth period and expands into new markets. She brings more than 25 years of experience in HR management to this position and most recently served as CPO at Farmer Boys Foods and also worked at Lemonade Restaurant Group and two franchise holding companies.
Mendocino Farms: Kevin Miles, former CEO of Zoës Kitchen, is now the CEO of the fast casual chain, according to Nation's Restaurant News. In his new position, he will oversee the 27-unit chain’s operations and growth, which will include expanding beyond its main market of California. Miles' experience includes leadership positions at Pollo Campero USA, Aramark, Baja Fresh and La Madelaine. He replaces Harold Herrmann, who took a position at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
July 29
Punch Bowl Social: Former CFO Robert Cornog has left the company following its transaction with Cracker Barrel, which bought a $140 million stake in the company in late July. Cornog has been with the company since 2013 before stepping aside as CFO in January, and he had been working in an advisory capacity for the company since then.
