Executive News

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    Avosb via Getty Images
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    Just Salad ex-CFO missed out on $1.2M, lawsuit claims

    The former finance chief is seeking $1.2 million in funds he claims he’s owed relating to a separation agreement, as well as $5 million in damages.

    By Grace Noto • April 3, 2025
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    Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
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    P.F. Chang’s promotes COO Brad Hill to CEO

    Hill, who has been at the company for nearly eight years, steps into the role following Eduardo Luz’s departure.

    By • Updated April 2, 2025
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    Retrieved from PJ's Coffee of New Orleans on April 01, 2025
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    PJ’s Coffee parent company CEO to retire

    Peter Boylan, who has headed up Ballard Brands since 2016, will remain on as an advisor while David Mesa takes over as president of franchise development.

    By • April 1, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box hires Lance Tucker as permanent CEO

    Tucker, who rejoined the chain as CFO late last year, said the company needs to make priority changes quickly to reverse same-store sales problems.

    By • April 1, 2025
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    Permission granted by Bojangles
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    Bojangles appoints former KFC exec as chief legal officer

    Kate Ward, who worked at KFC for nine years, becomes Bojangles’ top legal executive as the chain pushes for 1,000 units.

    By • March 31, 2025
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    Permission granted by Twin Peaks
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    Twin Peaks CEO resigns

    Joe Hummel will leave the company on April 10 along with Chief Legal Officer Clay Mingus, both of whom have been at the brand for over seven years.

    By • March 31, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs will retire next year

    Under Gibbs, the company added more than 10,000 restaurants, acquired the Habit Burger & Grill and grew sales by $13 billion.

    By • March 31, 2025
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    Permission granted by Rego Restaurant Group
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    Rego Restaurant hires CEO

    Neel Patel will oversee the Quiznos and Taco del Mar brands, which have been growing through franchising and deals with Ghost Kitchen International.

    By • March 27, 2025
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    Permission granted by Panera Brands
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    Panera Brands hires permanent CEO

    Paul Carbone, who has been interim CEO since January, will focus on a multi-year plan to boost the company’s teams, guest experience and franchise profitability.

    By • March 26, 2025
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    Courtesy of https://stories.whataburger.com/press-kit
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    Whataburger hires former McDonald’s exec as chief development officer

    Todd Ewen, who has over 20 years of commercial real estate experience, joins the brand as it plans to expand into its 17th state after surpassing 1,000 units.

    By • March 25, 2025
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    Courtesy of International Dairy Queen
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    International Dairy Queen taps former Domino’s exec as COO

    Art D’Elia will oversee operations, training and marketing in his new role at the chain, which is actively growing its system around the world.

    By • March 18, 2025
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Brian Niccol’s 6-month update on Starbucks turnaround plan

    The coffee chain’s CEO said investments in store experience are ramping up, but union members say the brand isn’t spending enough on hourly workers.

    By • Updated March 13, 2025
  • A Domino's Pizza in Eugene Or.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s promotes long-time exec to COO, US president

    Joseph Jordan, who has been with the chain since 2011, was elevated to the role as part of a larger change in the pizza chain’s organizational structure.

    By • March 11, 2025
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    Courtesy of CKE Restaurants
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    Carl’s Jr parent appoints Joe Guith as CEO

    Guith spent the past two years at Church’s Texas Chicken, where he repositioned the brand and improved unit-level profitability.

    By • Updated March 6, 2025
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    Permission granted by A&W
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    A&W promotes COO to CEO post

    Betsy Schmandt, who has been with the company for 18 months, will work on enhancing the brand’s position, focus on value and continue the chain’s growth trajectory.

    By • March 4, 2025
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks replaces CFO with Walmart, Target vet

    Cathy Smith will replace Rachel Ruggeri at an undetermined date, with Ruggeri remaining for some time to ease the transition.

    By • March 4, 2025
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    Permission granted by Caribou Coffee
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    Caribou Coffee appoints CFO as interim CEO

    Scott Kennedy will take on the interim leadership role when John Butcher steps down from his position on March 14.

    By • March 4, 2025
  • A Jack in the Box sign looms ominously from behind a hedge.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box CEO resigns

    Darin Harris has taken a position outside of the restaurant industry, and EVP and CFO Lance Tucker will temporarily assume CEO duties.

    By • Updated Feb. 24, 2025
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    Courtesy of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
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    Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf hires Taco Bell vet as president, head of Americas

    Tara Hinkle, who also spent over a decade at Starbucks, will oversee the chain’s growth strategy in the Americas.

    By • Feb. 21, 2025
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    Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
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    Bloomin’ Brands lays off 100 corporate employees

    The cuts at its Tampa, Florida, support center represent a 17% reduction and follow corporate layoffs at Dine Brands, Starbucks and Denny’s.

    By • Feb. 21, 2025
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    Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
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    Church’s Texas Chicken appoints CEO

    Roland Gonzalez, who served as COO for the past two years, takes over at the chain as it aims to grow systemwide sales from $1.5 billion to $2 billion.

    By • Feb. 21, 2025
  • An image of Joe Christina, CEO at Tijuana Flats.
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    Permission granted by Tijuana Flats
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    Noodles & Company hires Joe Christina as president and COO

    Christina, formerly CEO at Tijuana Flats, joins the chain as it embarks on a long-term menu overhaul and turns the corner on sales struggles.

    By • Feb. 20, 2025
  • A Torchy's Tacos sign shot from a low angle.
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    Tornado98 via Getty Images
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    Torchy’s Tacos hires GoTo Foods vet as CEO

    Paul Macaluso, who most recently served as president and CEO of Another Broken Egg Cafe, joins the brand as it invests in tech ahead of a growth push.

    By • Feb. 19, 2025
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    Permission granted by Saucy by KFC
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    KFC US promotes CMO to president

    Catherine Tan-Gillespie will take over from Tarun Lal as U.S. president for the chicken chain on April 1, after a difficult year for sales.

    By • Feb. 13, 2025
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    Retrieved from EG America.
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    EG America names new head of branded QSR operations

    The retailer has appointed a leader for its department that recently launched three fresh restaurant concepts.

    By Brett Dworski • Feb. 12, 2025