Executive News

  • An image of Topgolf's CEO
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    Courtesy of Dine Brands
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    Topgolf spinoff delayed amid CEO’s departure

    Artie Starrs, who has led the company since 2021, will leave his post in the fall to become the top executive at an undisclosed company.

    By • Aug. 1, 2025
  • A photograph of a burger, drink and fries from Fatburger.
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    DOJ drops charges against Fat Brands, Andy Wiederhorn

    The original indictment alleged misconduct over a loan scheme involving $47 million transferred from Fat and Fog Cutter Capital to Wiederhorn.

    By • July 30, 2025
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    Permission granted by Yum Brands
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    KFC US hires chief growth officer

    Tiffany Furman joins the chain from The Habit Burger & Grill, where she helped oversee the brand’s transformation after its acquisition by Yum.

    By • July 25, 2025
  • A photograph of the outside of a Bonchon restaurant.
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    Permission granted by Bonchon
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    Bonchon signals speedy US growth with new hires

    The Korean fried chicken chain plans to expand its global system from about 500 stores to 1,000 in five years, with the U.S. accounting for much of that development.

    By • July 24, 2025
  • An image of a red sign with white logo that says "Wendy's." Above the sign is an cartoon image of a girl with red hair and pigtails with blue bows.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Wendy’s replaces outgoing US president

    Pete Suerken, CEO and president of Wendy’s independent purchasing cooperative, will succeed long-time executive Abigail Pringle on Aug. 15. 

    By • July 23, 2025
  • A smiling person stands in front of a green background with a yellow "Subway" logo visible.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway taps Burger King vet as CEO

    Jonathan Fitzpatrick will take the sandwich chain’s top spot on July 28, and inherits AUV struggles and an ongoing push to modernize its menu.

    By , • Updated July 21, 2025
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    Permission granted by Shake Shack
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    Shake Shack hires Raising Cane’s vet as chief people officer

    Jamie Griffin joins the chain as its top HR executive and will focus on areas like talent acquisition, the team member experience and leadership development.

    By • July 18, 2025
  • The outside of a Dave & Buster's restaurant.
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    JHVEPhoto via Getty Images
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    Dave & Buster’s hires ex-KFC US president as CEO

    Tarun Lal brings 25 years of experience at Yum Brands to the eatertainment chain, which has struggled with quarterly same-store sales declines.

    By • Updated July 15, 2025
  • Love's
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    Retrieved from Naf Naf.
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    Naf Naf Grill CEO to retire

    Grady Metoyer, the brand’s CFO, will step into the interim CEO role following Greg William's retirement.

    By • July 14, 2025
  • An iamge of a building with black facade and white logo that says "Wagamama."
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    Catherine Ivill via Getty Images
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    Wagamama hires Bloomin’ vet to oversee US development

    Suk Singh will serve as chief development officer for the U.K.-based chain’s U.S. division, with plans to grow Wagamama beyond its seven-unit toehold.

    By • July 9, 2025
  • The outside of a Starbucks store
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Starbucks incentivizes cost-cutting goal with exec bonuses

    The coffee giant will give top executives up to $6 million in stock grants if the brand meets cost-reduction goals by the end of fiscal 2027.

    By • Updated July 8, 2025
  • An image ofa brick colored building with a logl of a red-headed girl with pigtails.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s CEO departs for Hershey

    Kirk Tanner, who has led the company for about a year and a half, will resign from the chain to become president and CEO at the candy giant.

    By • Updated July 8, 2025
  • An image of various doughnuts from Krispy Kreme behind a bakery counter.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Krispy Kreme appoints CFO, chief brand officer

    The new executives replace outgoing leaders who announced their departures shortly after Krispy Kreme ended its McDonald’s partnership.

    By • July 7, 2025
  • An Outback Steakhouse restaurant on Jan. 31, 2025 in Daly City, California.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Bloomin’ Brands drafts industry vet for CIO role

    Rafael Sanchez will lead tech operations for Outback Steakhouse’s parent company, effective June 30.

    By Lindsey Wilkinson • June 25, 2025
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    Courtesy of Panera Bread
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    Panera Bread hires transformation expert in newly created role

    Nikka Copeland will oversee the execution of the chain’s three-year growth plan as senior vice president of the Office of Transformation & Strategy.

    By • June 25, 2025
  • Jack in the Box
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box brings back COO position

    Shannon McKinney returns to the chain to oversee operations less than a year after it eliminated the position as part of a corporate restructuring.

    By • June 25, 2025
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    Courtesy of Darden
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    Olive Garden president to retire, sparking C-suite shuffle

    Dan Kiernan will retire after over 30 years at Darden, including seven as Olive Garden president. John Wilkerson, current Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen president, will step into the role.

    By • Updated June 21, 2025
  • A photograph of a red and yellow sign with a giant yellow "M" above a red box that says "McDonald's Billions Served."
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    McDonald’s appoints US CIO

    Valerie Ashbaugh is set to switch positions with long-time tech chief Whitney McGinnis, who will now be senior vice president, commercial products and platforms.

    By • June 18, 2025
  • A photograph of a person wearing a suit and smiling.
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    Courtesy of Yum Brands
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    Yum Brands appoints Chris Turner CEO

    Turner, current chief financial and franchise officer, will succeed David Gibbs on Oct. 1. Gibbs will serve the chain in an advisory role through 2026.

    By • Updated June 17, 2025
  • An evening shot of a building with white and red coloring and signage that says "Portillo's."
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s appoints Gene Lee to board

    The fast casual chain made the former Darden CEO a director as part of its agreement with Engaged Capital.

    By • June 16, 2025
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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