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.
Ruby Tuesday has a new CMO, and IHOP is under new leadership, two moves that could dramatically impact the future of these companies.
Check out these and other recent executive changes below:
June 6
Postmates: Apple veteran Ken Kocienda has been tapped as a principal software engineer for the reservation platform’s Postmates X, the branch developing the company’s semi-autonomous sidewalk delivery robot, Serve, according to Technomic. During his 15 years with Apple, Kocienda worked on human interface design and helped develop the first iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Kocienda has been tasked with a number of responsibilities within Project X, including making more expressions for the robot.
True Food Kitchen: Shake Shack veteran Peggy Rubenzer has been hired as True Food Kitchen's first chief people officer, per a press release. Rubenzer will oversee the company's human resources and training and report to CEO Christine Barone. Rubenzer served as SVP of people resources for eight years at Shake Shack and helped grow it from nine locations in 2011 to more than 200 today. She also held leadership positions at P.F. Chang’s.
June 4
Ruby Tuesday: Jenifer Boyd Harmon has been appointed as the casual dining chain’s CMO, according to a press release. She will lead the company's marketing strategy, customer experience and advertising efforts. Harmon has nearly 30 years of experience in marketing, advertising, retail business development and franchising across casual, family and fast casual restaurants. She spent 15 years at St. John & Partners and has worked at Erwin Penland.
Shake Shack: Diane Neville has been hired as SVP of people resources, according to Restaurant Business. Neville, who has 20 years of human resources experience, most recently served as chief people officer for The Piada Group and will start at the burger chain June 17. Her previous human resources experience includes P.F. Chang's, Pei Wei Asian Diner and Grimaldi's Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria.
June 3
IHOP: Jay Johns has been promoted to IHOP president effective June 13 following Darren Rebelez’s resignation. Johns has been with the company in various executive positions since April 2009. He most recently served as SVP of operations since April 2017. Rebelez was president for four years and will become CEO and president at Casey's General Store effective June 24. Charles Scaccia was promoted into Johns' previous position, most recently serving as regional VP for franchise operations. He has been with the company for over 21 years.