Executive News

  • An image of a gray building with a black sign that says "&pizza"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by &pizza
    Image attribution tooltip

    &pizza, Tijuana Flats search for a new CEO

    The parent company of the two restaurant chains said its strategy has not changed since CEO Mike Burns left to take over Cafe Rio’s leadership.

    By • June 3, 2026
  • A view of a Taco Bell restaurant on February 06, 2025 in Dublin, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Yum Brands COO to retire after 25 years

    Tracy Skeans helped the company emerge as one of the clear QSR winners after the COVID-19 pandemic.

    By • June 3, 2026
  • A crowd of people stand in front of a dark gray building with a logo that says Saladworks
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Woworks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Woworks hires former Subway exec as chief growth officer

    James Walker joins the six-branded company as it continues to expand nationwide through single-concept and co-branded locations.

    By • May 29, 2026
  • An image of hot dogs on a table.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by DogHaus
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dog Haus signs 50-unit deal, adds new execs

    The hot dog chain hopes recruiting high-performing operators from other restaurants will help it grow from over 50 stores to 1,500.

    By • May 29, 2026
  • A photograph of a person wearing a blue suit jacket
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
    Image attribution tooltip

    Church’s Texas Chicken appoints Popeyes vet as chief commercial officer

    Kevin Nemeth will oversee various aspects of the chain’s commercial strategy and help connect brand, digital, loyalty, menu and execution.

    By • May 26, 2026
  • An image of a building with a sign that says "Sweetgreen."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sweetgreen hires Chipotle exec as chief strategy officer

    Cindy Olsen will help oversee the beleaguered chain’s turnaround strategy after it posted its worst sales decline since going public.

    By • May 26, 2026
  • An image of a Smashburger restaurant in the evening light
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Smashburger
    Image attribution tooltip

    Smashburger hires CMO in push for growth

    Kate Savelli, who previously worked at Einstein Bros.’ parent, will lead brand, consumer, menu and partnership strategies as the chain focuses on expansion.

    By • May 22, 2026
  • The Wendy's logo displayed near a Wendy's restaurant on June 18, 2024 in Austin, Texas.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell / Staff via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wendy’s appoints Bob Wright as CEO

    Wright joins the fast food chain as it continues to face declining sales, store closures and pressure from an activist investor.

    By , • Updated May 20, 2026
  • An evening photo of Topfgolf with backlit lights and a white sign that says Topgolf.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Topgolf
    Image attribution tooltip

    Topgolf appoints over half a dozen execs following Callaway spinoff

    The company named new leadership spanning departments, including operations and finance, a few months after David McKillips became CEO.

    By • May 20, 2026
  • A Jack in the Box sign looms ominously from behind a hedge.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Lance Tucker out as Jack in the Box CEO

    Tucker held the CEO post for just over 13 months, coinciding with continued sales declines and a tough fight with activist investors. Mark King will succeed him on an interim basis.

    By • Updated May 13, 2026
  • A Chuck E. Cheese sign.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    CEC Entertainment adds Texas Roadhouse vet as CFO

    Chris Monroe will oversee the finance and real estate teams for Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company as it looks to expand.

    By • May 7, 2026
  • An image of a person smiling and wearing a blue blazer and white shirt
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Shake Shack
    Image attribution tooltip

    Shake Shack appoints former Portillo’s CFO as it finance chief

    Michelle Hook will oversee financial operations at the fast casual chain as it works toward reaching 1,500 units.

    By • May 7, 2026
  • An evening shot of a building with white and red coloring and signage that says "Portillo's."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Portillo's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Portillo’s CFO departs

    Michelle Hook will pursue another opportunity after serving in her position for five years and playing an important role in Portillo’s 2021 IPO.

    By • May 5, 2026
  • A smiling white man in a blue v-neck sweater in front of a stark white background.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Sweetgreen
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sweetgreen hires Amazon, Starbucks alum as development chief

    The embattled fast casual chain’s newest C-suite appointment may signal a shift toward experiential store design.

    By • May 1, 2026
  • The sign on a Red Robin restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Red Robin hires long-time Bloomin’ exec as CFO

    Mark Graff, a former Bloomin’ exec, will oversee the burger brand’s finances as it undergoes its First Choice turnaround plan.

    By • April 30, 2026
  • An image of a red and white building with Freddy's signage.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Freddy's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Freddy’s hires 2 development execs as it nears 600 units

    Rafik Farouk will help the burger brand fill in existing markets and enter new ones, while Jackie Lobdell will work to recruit new operators.

    By • April 28, 2026
  • A sign on a Chipotle restaurant.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle appoints Fernando Machado as chief brand officer

    The former CMO at companies including Burger King and Activision Blizzard takes a role last held by longtime brand marketer Chris Brandt.

    By Chris Kelly • April 27, 2026
  • mcdonalds signage against a blue sky
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kevin Frayer via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    McDonald’s US CIO to depart, successor named

    Mustafa Husain, former VP of restaurant technology engineering, will replace Valerie Ashbaugh starting May 1.

    By Roberto Torres • April 24, 2026
  • Children and consumers eat ice cream outside a Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams location.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
    Image attribution tooltip

    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 franchised 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.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of GoTo Foods
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • A fast casual restaurant with a celebratory crowd ready for its opening.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chicken Salad Chick
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • A portrait of a smiling person wearing a red blazer over a white undershirt.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Denny's
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Two people sit at a table in a dark cafe with warm lighting.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Starbucks
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • A person wearing a gray blue suit smiling
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • An image of a McDonald's sign
    Image attribution tooltip
    JillianCain via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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