Executive News

  • Children and consumers eat ice cream outside a Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams location.
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    Permission granted by Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
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    Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams scoops up Ben & Jerry’s CEO

    David Stever, who spent decades at the Vermont-based creamery, joins Jeni’s as it prepares for a new era of national expansion.

    By • April 23, 2026
  • A split photograph with two executive headshots with the person on the left wearing a blue checkered shirt while the person on the right is wearing a black blazer and white shirt.
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    Courtesy of GoTo Foods
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    GoTo Foods appoints chief digital and development officers

    Tatiana Lambert, a former Wendy’s executive, will oversee “disciplined” franchise growth, and Biplav Misra will lead digital strategy.

    By • April 14, 2026
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    Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
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    Chicken Salad Chick hires Popeyes exec to lead franchised growth

    Brian Lindley joins the chain as it continues franchised expansion, particularly with younger operators, while reducing the operating costs of its stores.

    By • April 14, 2026
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    Courtesy of Denny's
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    Denny’s appoints CEO, announces turnaround plan

    Christopher Bode will lead the chain as it undertakes a 24-month initiative that will cover menu development, digital transformation and operational excellence.

    By • Updated April 13, 2026
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks hires Chipotle’s chief development officer

    Stephen Piacentini will help the coffee chain execute its ambitious renovation and development plans as part of the Back to Starbucks initiative.

    By • April 10, 2026
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    Permission granted by Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
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    Firebirds Wood Fired Grill appoints Kura Sushi exec as CFO

    Jeff Uttz will join the roughly 70-unit full-service chain on May 18 after four years at the sushi chain, which is in the process of finding his replacement.

    By • April 8, 2026
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    JillianCain via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s creates US COO role

    Skye Anderson will return to McDonald’s USA after serving as president of the chain’s global business services for three years.

    By • April 1, 2026
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    First Watch cuts its COO

    As part of an operations leadership restructure, the company let Dan Jones go on Friday after he served four years in that position.

    By • March 31, 2026
  • Zaxbys first Arizona unit, a restaurant with white walls and blue awnings
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    Courtesy of Zaxbys
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    Zaxbys appoints GoTo Foods exec as CFO

    Michael Dixon will oversee the chain’s financial strategy, planning and analytics and accounting and treasury as it continues to expand beyond 1,000 units.

    By • March 30, 2026
  • A photograph of a gray sign with a red box inside with white letters that says "Jack" under the box it says "in the box."
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box names CMO to strengthen product innovation, loyalty

    Katelyn Zborowski previously spent over a decade at Yum Brands, where she helped develop more than 40 limited-time offerings for Taco Bell.

    By Peter Adams • March 30, 2026
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    Permission granted by Golden Corral
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    Golden Corral appoints Nestlé vet as CFO

    Trona Balkissoon will oversee the buffet chain’s financial strategy, including franchised- and corporate-unit health, and ensure the chain grows responsibly. 

    By • March 27, 2026
  • Popeyes opened its Times Square location in 2022.
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    Permission granted by Popeyes
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    Popeyes hires US COO from Burger King

    Chris Padoan's appointment signals a greater investment in Popeyes’ store-level execution, as the chain lags its chicken competitors in operations. 

    By • March 25, 2026
  • Sidewalk devilry robots in front of a Wonder location.
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    Courtesy of Grubhub
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    Wonder hires CFO ahead of potential 2027 IPO

    Marc Lore has built a vertically integrated food delivery network including food halls, a makeline manufacturer and Grubhub. Now, he wants to take it public.

    By • March 24, 2026
  • Chipotle CFO Adam Rymer header
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    Q&A

    Chipotle CFO on expanding globally while maintaining a debt-free model

    Adam Rymer explains how the fast casual chain is using AI tools, funding rapid restaurant growth and operating with a debt-free balance sheet​​​​​.

    By Adam Zaki • March 23, 2026
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    Permission granted by Bonchon
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    Bonchon hires Pollo Campero vet as chief development officer

    Blas Escarcega joins the chain as it focuses on rapid growth in the U.S., where it now has over 150 units.

    By • March 20, 2026
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s hires former Papa Johns exec as chief development officer

    Jennifer Pecoraro-Striepling will oversee the chain’s real estate, site selection strategy and construction, and help develop prototypes in her new role.

    By • March 16, 2026
  • An image of a white and red restaurant with Krystal on the signage
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    Permission granted by Krystal
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    Krystal promotes COO from parent company

    Amanda Hyde expands her role at the QSR chain, partnering with operators and franchisees to improve performance and support growth.

    By • March 12, 2026
  • Jimmy John's has promoted chief marketing officer Darin Dugan to president.
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    Courtesy of Jimmy John's
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    Jimmy John’s promotes CMO to president

    Darin Dugan succeeds James North, who spent more than 20 years as the chain’s brand president.

    By • March 9, 2026
  • An image of a Chili's sign with a red chili pepper.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Chili’s CMO promoted to translate winning playbook to Brinker’s other brand

    George Felix will lead marketing for both Chili’s and Maggiano’s Little Italy, which has lagged behind its sister brand’s eye-popping run of sales growth.

    By Peter Adams • March 4, 2026
  • Jack in the Box restaurant location
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box re-elects board, but chair will retire

    Shareholders approved a poison pill and re-elected the board, including David Goebel, despite a challenge from activist investor Sardar Biglari.

    By • March 3, 2026
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    Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
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    Red Lobster hires former P.F. Chang’s CEO as CFO

    Brad Hill will oversee the chain’s finances and real estate strategy as it focuses on long-term growth.

    By • Updated March 3, 2026
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    Courtesy of GoTo Foods
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    GoTo Foods appoints Roark exec as CFO

    Brett Ubl becomes chief financial officer at the restaurant company, while Francisco Bram joins as chief growth officer as the company prepares for additional global expansion.

    By • Feb. 27, 2026
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    What’s at stake in Jack in the Box’s board battle with Biglari?

    If the activist investor prevents David Goebel’s re-election as chair, the board could still reappoint him, likely starting a long and expensive board battle.

    By • Feb. 25, 2026
  • A photograph of a First Watch restaurant
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    First Watch CFO to retire

    Mel Hope led the breakfast chain’s fiscal operations through a pandemic, an IPO and high inflation. His successor faces a strained consumer environment.

    By • Feb. 24, 2026
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    Courtesy of Topgolf
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    Topgolf hires David McKillips as CEO

    McKillips, former president and CEO of Chuck E. Cheese’s parent, will focus on the chain’s growth strategy now that it has been spun off from Callaway.

    By • Feb. 20, 2026