Corporate Operations: Page 8

  • A Zaxby's logo used for the chicken chain.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Glenn, Miles. (2022). "Zaxby's" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Zaxby’s snaps up Dollar General, Yum Brands alum for CFO

    Donny Lau was named finance chief of the Athens, Georgia-based chicken chain, which aims to grow well beyond its Southern roots. 

    By Maura Webber Sadovi • July 24, 2023
  • A portrait photo of Arthur Valdez, Starbucks' incoming EVP of global supply and customer solutions.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks hires former Target exec to lead supply operations

    With Arthur Valdez joining Starbucks as EVP of global supply, the company is looking to achieve efficiencies in its supply chain, which is threatened by climate change. 

    By • July 20, 2023
  • A photograph of chefs in a kitchen. Explore the Trendline➔
    Image attribution tooltip
    sam edwards via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip
    Trendline

    Menu development

    Restaurants big and small are experimenting with their menus to align with the preferences of on-the-go diners and mitigate the impact of rising food costs, supply chain disruption and shrinking consumer discretionary funds. 

    By Restaurant Dive staff
  • An image of a building with Cracker Barrel branding
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Cracker Barrel
    Image attribution tooltip

    Cracker Barrel appoints Taco Bell vet as CEO

    Julie Felss Masino, Taco Bell’s international president, succeeds Sandra Cochran, who served as CEO and president of Cracker Barrel since 2011.

    By • July 18, 2023
  • Header image for "89% of Executives Want Change On Their Board: Weekly Stat"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    10 major restaurant CEO changes from H1 2023

    The first half of the year was marked by major turnover among chief executives, as some leaders departed amid federal scrutiny and others were hired to support brand turnarounds. 

    By • July 17, 2023
  • Donatos pizza
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of PR Newswire
    Image attribution tooltip

    Donatos Pizza to deploy pizza vending machine

    The chain will deploy its first automated pizza kiosk in partnership with Appetronix in Columbus, Ohio, at an unspecified time in the future.

    By • July 14, 2023
  • An exterior shot of a Red Robin restaurant, which is lit from inside, at night
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Cbraccialini is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Red Robin pulls the plug on MrBeast Burger and its own virtual brands

    In a blow to Virtual Dining Concepts, Red Robin will stop serving the YouTube personality’s menu as the chain focuses on its core offerings and operations. 

    By • July 14, 2023
  • 7-Eleven
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of 7-Eleven
    Image attribution tooltip

    7-Eleven rolling out refreshed coffee program, more private label goods to stores

    The company has upgraded to bean-to-cup machines and iced coffee options in more than 4,800 stores, with more coming throughout the year.

    By Jessica Loder • July 14, 2023
  • Uber IPO
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Uber CFO to depart: report

    The departure of CFO Nelson Chai would mark the most significant executive switch at Uber since the company went public in May 2019.

    By Grace Noto • July 12, 2023
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Domino’s strikes deal with Uber Eats through 2024

    The companies will pilot an ordering partnership in four U.S. markets this fall before expanding nationwide. Domino’s will still deliver orders placed through Uber Eats.

    By • July 12, 2023
  • A person whose job has been cut collects their belongings
    Image attribution tooltip
    pcess609 via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    H1 2023 marked by 4 layoffs in restaurant tech

    Companies in the delivery, virtual brand and POS platform subsectors grappled with growing losses and corporate restructuring.

    By • July 10, 2023
  • A portrait of Sean Tresvant, Taco Bell's incoming CEO.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Taco Bell
    Image attribution tooltip

    Yum names Taco Bell CEO

    Sean Tresvant, who joined the brand as chief global brand officer in 2022, will replace Mark King at the start of the year. 

    By • June 30, 2023
  • Hal Lawlor, Smokey Bones COO and president
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Smokey Bones
    Image attribution tooltip

    Smokey Bones names Hal Lawlor to joint role of president, COO

    Lawlor, who has served as the chain’s COO since 2019, takes on the added role following CEO James O’Reilly’s departure earlier this month.

    By • June 29, 2023
  • Noodles & Company cauliflower gnocchi
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Noodles & Company
    Image attribution tooltip

    Noodles & Company hires Ruth’s Chris exec as CFO

    Michael Hynes, will start with the company on July 24 following the departure of CFO Carl Lukach earlier this month.

    By • June 27, 2023
  • A portrait photo of Ravi Thanawala, Papa Johns incoming CFO.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Papa Johns
    Image attribution tooltip

    Papa Johns hires Nike exec as CFO

    Ravi Thanawala joins the company from Nike’s largest division, North America, which saw $18 billion in revenue last year.

    By • June 26, 2023
  • A picture of an Olive Garden restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Darden board chairman Eugene Lee to retire

    Lee’s departure was announced the same day as Darden’s results for FY2023, which include modest increases in same-store sales and its restaurant count.

    By • June 22, 2023
  • Blaze Pizza execs Kevin Moran and Johnny Tellez
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
    Image attribution tooltip

    Blaze Pizza hires Focus Brands execs as chief development, operations officers

    Kevin Moran and Johnny Tellez join Blaze Pizza six months after the restaurant chain hired Focus Brands alum Beto Guajardo as president and CEO.

    By • June 21, 2023
  • Burger King gets a fresh look
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Burger King
    Image attribution tooltip

    Burger King wants to force Meridian to sell off its restaurants

    Burger King, like Meridian Restaurant’s creditors, is asking a court to allow creditors to arrange the sale of the franchisee’s restaurants.

    By • Updated Jan. 2, 2024
  • An exterior image of a BurgerFi restaurant
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by BurgerFi
    Image attribution tooltip

    BurgerFi appoints former Wall Street analyst as CFO

    Christopher Jones starts as BurgerFi’s top financial executive on July 10, the same day as its incoming CEO. 

    By • June 13, 2023
  • Potbelly Sandwich Shop in National Harbor, Maryland, taken by Julie Littman of Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Potbelly hires HR, franchising executives

    Lynette McKee will support Potbelly’s transition to a majority franchise system as SVP of franchising, and Patrick Walsh will work as chief people officer. 

    By • June 12, 2023
  • An image of a laptop with Grubhub's website.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Grubhub cuts 15% of staff

    The layoffs come six months after rival DoorDash eliminated 1,250 positions, and follow rising operating and staffing costs, CEO Howard Migdal said.

    By • June 12, 2023
  • A picture of a Chipotle with a pickup lane.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle eliminates 25 jobs in corporate reorganization

    The reorganization follows an in-depth review of the chain’s business needs to determine what would best meet the company’s aggressive goals. 

    By • June 8, 2023
  • A picture of Smashburger's mac n cheese burger.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Smashburger
    Image attribution tooltip

    Smashburger names interim president to replace Carl Bachmann

    Jollibee, the burger chain’s parent company, tasked its chief sustainability and public affairs officer Jose Miñana to lead the burger chain starting June 30.

    By • June 8, 2023
  • An image of sweetgreen's automated kitchen in Naperville, Illinois
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sweetgreen will automate all new stores, target suburban markets

    The salad chain’s Infinite Kitchen makeline could remake its labor model, analysts said following CEO Jonathan Neman’s presentation at William Blair’s Growth Stock Conference.

    By • June 8, 2023
  • A headshot of Jim Creel, CEO of Taco John's.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Taco John's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Taco John’s CEO to retire at the end of the year

    Jim Creel, who has been Taco John’s CEO for six years and worked with the chain for over two decades, will retire from the brand by the end of the year.

    By • June 7, 2023
  • A promotional image for Popeyes' blackened chicken sandwich.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Popeyes
    Image attribution tooltip

    Popeyes adds blackened chicken sandwich to menu permanently

    The chicken sandwich, which succeeded as an LTO last year, is being marketed as a healthier entree that diners can enjoy every day. 

    By • June 7, 2023