Many restaurant chains added the position of chief marketing officer this year, a trend particularly common among growing restaurant companies like Focus Brands, City Barbecue and Shake Shack adding the position this year. Your Pizza is the latest to do so with the hiring of Lisa Dimson announced this week.

Check out the latest executive news below:

Oct. 23

Your Pie: The fast casual pizza brand hired Lisa Dimson as the company's first chief marketing officer, according to a press release posted on Franchising.com. Dimson has over 15 years of restaurant marketing experience and previously worked at Yum Brands, Arby's and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Responsibilities under her new role include enhancing the marketing strategy and brand development at a national and store level and leveraging technological innovation to raise brand awareness.  

Global Franchise Group: The company, a brand management company and franchisor of Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Pretzelmaker, Marble Slab Creamery/Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream and Round Table Pizza, hired Chris Cheek as chief development officer, according to a press release. Cheek has 20 years of experience in franchise and restaurant development and previously served at Newk's Eatery.  He has also worked at Toppers Pizza, Freebirds World Burrito, Le Duff America, Timothy's Coffee, Michael's Bakery Cafe and mmmuffins. The company also promoted Annica Conrad to EVP of brand marketing, Pam Maxwell to VP of franchise operations and Lisa Cheatham to VP of growth marketing.  

Paris Baguette: Greg Koffler joins the executive team of the bakery-cafe as VP of franchise sales and development, according to a press release. He has over a decade of experience in executive franchise roles and held positions at Smashburger, Johnny Rockets and Corner Bakery.

Restaurant Brands International: Board member Martin E. Franklin resigned from the board due to personal reasons related to other professional commitments, according to an SEC filing.

Oct. 22

Muscle Maker Grill: Jeff Carl joined the fast casual restaurant's board of directors, according to a press release. He currently works as managing partner of Restaurant Brandworks and serves as executive director at Nice and Company. His previous experience includes positions at Burger King, Mcdonald’s Jamba Juice, Freebirds World Burrito and Tavistock Restaurant Group.

Oct. 21

Rave Restaurant Group: The company hired Brandon L. Solano as CEO, effective immediately. He succeeds Scott Crane, who left the company in July, according to a press release. Solano previously served as chief marketing and digital officer at Pei Wei and has also worked at Domino's and Wendy's.

"Brandon has been a difference maker for multiple brands in the restaurant space," Mark Schwarz, chairman of RAVE Restaurant Group, said in the press release. "He has a history of driving profitable traffic and leading brands to cultural relevance."