Executive News

  • A black and white image of a person wearing a suit and smiling in front of of a gray background.
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    Permission granted by Ascent Hospitality Management
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    Ascent Hospitality appoints technology chief

    Brian Wallunas has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and technology. He has overseen digital transformations at brands such as Domino’s and Arby’s.

    By • June 12, 2025
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    Courtesy of 7 Brew
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    7 Brew hires first supply chain chief

    Christopher Held, who worked at Inspire Brands for six years, will help scale operations, optimize supply chain and ensure product consistency at the fast-growing coffee chain.

    By • June 12, 2025
  • An Uber driver on a red moped delivers items to a customer.
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    Permission granted by Uber Health
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    Uber grocery executive named to lead delivery operations

    Susan Anderson, who formerly led the company’s grocery and retail operations, is now serving as its global head of delivery.

    By Sam Silverstein • June 11, 2025
  • An image of a brown building with a "Texas Roadhouse" signage
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    Northwalker. (2022). Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
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    Texas Roadhouse CFO leaves after 2 years

    The Kentucky-based company named Keith Humpich as interim CFO after Chris Monroe left to return to the Lone Star State.

    By • June 10, 2025
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    Courtesy of Taco John's
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    Taco John’s hires GoTo Foods vet as COO

    Jackie Secor, who has over 25 years of restaurant experience, joins the 350-unit chain as it expands into new and existing markets.

    By • June 9, 2025
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
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    BJ’s Restaurants appoints CEO

    Lyle D. Tick, current president and chief concept officer, was promoted to the top executive post after being with the company since September. 

    By • Updated June 6, 2025
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    Adam Gray via Getty Images
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    Starbucks revives COO position

    Mike Grams has become the chain's first chief operating officer since the role was removed from the corporate structure in 2022.

    By • June 5, 2025
  • Blaze Pizza's new signature pizzas.
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    Courtesy of Blaze Pizza
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    Blaze Pizza appoints Starbucks vet as COO

    Jaime Denney, who has over 25 years of restaurant experience, will oversee company and franchise operations and work to boost speed, profitability and hospitality.

    By • June 5, 2025
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    Permission granted by CKE Restaurants
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    CKE hires former Yum Brands exec as international president

    Ewan Davenport spent over nine years in leadership roles with Pizza Hut international and succeeds Mike Woida, who retired earlier this year.

    By • June 4, 2025
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    Retrieved from Mooyah Burgers Fries & Shakes on June 02, 2025
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    Mooyah Burgers Fries & Shakes appoints Papa Johns vet as president

    Michael Meche, who spent almost 30 years at the pizza chain, joins the burger brand as it prepares for accelerated growth.

    By • June 2, 2025
  • An image of several food items on a table from Jack in the Box's Munchies Under $4
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    Courtesy of Jack in the Box
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    Jack in the Box promotes permanent CFO

    Dawn Hooper, who has served as interim finance head for months, takes the role as the company faces sales trouble and the pending sale of Del Taco.

    By • May 29, 2025
  • A standalone Yoshinoya restaurant.
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    creativica via Getty Images
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    Yoshinoya America hires Better Buzz Coffee exec as president

    Paul Nishiyama, former COO of the coffee chain, will join the chain as it looks to resume growth after several years of stagnant unit count.

    By • May 29, 2025
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    Permission granted by Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King appoints CFO as president

    In his expanded role, Gavin Felder will oversee day-to-day management and retain his financial responsibilities at the fast-growing smoothie chain.

    By • May 22, 2025
  • An image of a Twin Peaks restaurant in the daytime.
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    Permission granted by Twin Peaks
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    Twin Hospitality Group hires CPK vet as CEO

    Kim Boerema, who has over 30 years of restaurant experience, succeeds Joe Hummel, who resigned in April after Fat Brands spun off Twin Hospitality in a January IPO.

    By • Updated May 15, 2025
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    Courtesy of Brinker International
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    Brinker promotes Aaron White to COO

    White will maintain her role as chief people officer in addition to overseeing operational improvements that bolster the employee and guest experience.

    By • May 13, 2025
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle hires Taco Bell exec as COO

    Jason Kidd succeeds Scott Boatwright, who was promoted to CEO earlier this year, and will oversee operations across the chain’s nearly 3,800 units.

    By • May 7, 2025
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Fat Brands hires Jack in the Box vet as CIO

    Drew Martin, who has over 35 years of IT experience, will help the chain implement scalable technology solutions in his new position.

    By • May 5, 2025
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Fat Brands promotes Taylor Wiederhorn to co-CEO

    Taylor Wiederhorn, the company’s chief development officer since 2017 and son of former CEO Andrew Wiederhorn, will work alongside Ken Kuick.

    By • April 30, 2025
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen hires Chipotle vet as COO

    Jason Cochran, who served as vice president of operations at Chipotle under Brian Niccol, could help Sweetgreen as it looks to establish itself as a clear segment leader.

    By • April 29, 2025
  • A smiling white woman with blond hair and a blue shirt. She is Julie Fussner, the new CEO of Culver's
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    Courtesy of Culver's
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    Culver’s promotes CMO Julie Fussner to CEO

    Fussner takes the helm as the brand hits the 1,000 restaurant mark, propelled by a $3.8 million AUV.

    By • April 28, 2025
  • A sign that says "Since 1956 Jersey Miek's Subs"
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jersey Mike’s hires Charlie Morrison as CEO

    Morrison, former CEO of Wingstop and Salad and Go, takes over for Peter Cancro, who has led the chain for 50 years. 

    By , • Updated April 24, 2025
  • The sign on a Red Robin restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    GJ Hart resigns as Red Robin CEO

    Hart, who led the brand through the first two years of its “North Star” reinvention plan, will be replaced by Board Chairman David Pace.

    By • Updated April 24, 2025
  • An iamge of a delivery driver in front of a Nando's restaurant.
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    Catherine Ivill via Getty Images
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    Nando’s Peri-Peri hires Ruby Tuesday vet as CEO

    Kimberly Grant, who is also former CEO of Jose Andres Group, will oversee the chain’s growth as it opens more company-owned locations in the U.S.

    By • April 22, 2025
  • A white man in gray pants, a polo, a blue windowpane checked sportcoat and a baseball cap stands in front of a salad restaurant.
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    Courtesy of Salad and Go
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    Salad and Go hires former Krispy Kreme head as CEO

    The salad chain’s central kitchen operating model bears a resemblance to the doughnut maker’s hub-and-spoke structure, which Mike Tattersfield has seven years of experience leading.

    By • April 22, 2025
  • An image of a building with a sign that says "Sweetgreen."
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    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
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    Sweetgreen COO Rossann Williams resigns

    Williams will remain with the chain until June as an advisor after stepping down from a role she held for over a year.

    By • April 18, 2025