Executive News

  • Jack in the Box restaurant location
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Jack in the Box hires Lance Tucker as CFO again

    Tucker rejoins the brand as it eyes significant franchising growth but faces comparable sales headwinds.

    By • Nov. 14, 2024
  • A man in a gray suit stands in front of a wood panel background with the logo "Chipotle."
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Chipotle
    Image attribution tooltip

    Chipotle names Scott Boatwright permanent CEO

    Boatwright, who has been interim CEO since August, said on an earnings call that the chain will continue its current strategies and focus on operational efficiency.

    By • Nov. 11, 2024
  • Masters of Scale Live series speaker
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Slava Blazer Photography
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by Masters of Scale

    Masters of Scale Live series offers the key to restaurant success

    Masters of Scale Live launches their inaugural event in New York City with restaurateur Danny Meyer.

    Nov. 11, 2024
  • An image of Papa Johns sign on a store
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Papa Johns
    Image attribution tooltip

    Papa Johns names new CMO to elevate data-driven creativity

    Jenna Bromberg, previously director of core marketing at Pizza Hut, joins Papa Johns as it works to improve perceptions around value and loyalty experiences.

    By Peter Adams • Nov. 7, 2024
  • An image of CKE Restaurants CEO Max Wetzel
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of CKE Restaurants
    Image attribution tooltip

    Tropical Smoothie Cafe appoints new CEO

    Max Wetzel, who previously served as CEO at CKE Restaurants for over a year, joins the smoothie chain months after it was acquired by Blackstone.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • A smiling white man in a blue shirt and a gray jacket with notch lapels.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Red Lobster
    Image attribution tooltip

    Red Lobster hires Brinker exec as COO

    Larry Konecny joins the seafood chain, which recently emerged from Chapter 11, after a 17-year tenure at Maggiano’s Little Italy.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • A white building with shinges and a logo of a red lobster
    Image attribution tooltip
    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Red Lobster names new CMO

    Nichole Robillard, who recently led a rebrand for Smokey Bones, was praised for her ability to blend creative and operational expertise.

    By Peter Adams • Oct. 24, 2024
  • A Qdoba store around dusk.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Qdoba
    Image attribution tooltip

    Qdoba hires Applebee’s exec as COO

    Kevin Carroll has over 30 years of restaurant experience and most recently served as COO at Applebee's overseeing 1,600 units.

    By • Oct. 24, 2024
  • An image of a man with gray hair wearing a blue suit
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Red Lobster
    Image attribution tooltip

    Red Lobster hires Yum Brands vet as CFO

    Bob Baker brings 30 years of restaurant experience to the brand that emerged from Chapter 11 in September.

    By • Oct. 23, 2024
  • An image of two men smiling. The man on the left wears a black shirt with a "Fuzzy's Taco Shop" logo while the other wears a suit with a white undershirt.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Fuzzy's Taco Shop
    Image attribution tooltip

    Fuzzy’s Taco Shop names new president, COO

    The Dine Brand chain promoted Patrick Kirk to the dual role of president and CMO and hired Marshall Claycamp from sister brand IHOP as its COO.

    By • Oct. 21, 2024
  • A Starbucks store stands in Manhattan on January 30, 2024 in New York City.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks appoints ex-Chipotle exec as first global chief brand officer

    Tressie Lieberman joins the coffee chain as part of new CEO Brian Niccol’s marketing overhaul, which also includes a recent agency appointment.

    By Chris Kelly • Oct. 21, 2024
  • Michael Montagano, Dog Haus' CEO, and Jake Paul in front of a Dog Haus restaurant at night. Montagano wears slacks and a sport coat, Paul wears cargo shorts and a t-shirt.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Dog Haus
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dog Haus signs 25-unit franchise deal with boxer Jake Paul

    The controversial YouTuber will join the company’s board and bring his star power to the brand as it looks to juice sales.

    By • Oct. 17, 2024
  • TV personality Simon Cowell, wearing a black T-shirt, sits behind a metal kitchen counter with Domino's branding
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Domino's Pizza
    Image attribution tooltip

    Domino’s promotes brand chief to CMO to sharpen global strategy

    Kate Trumbull, who helped revamp the chain’s loyalty program, is tasked with scaling its Hungry for MORE initiative to international markets.

    By Peter Adams • Oct. 17, 2024
  • An image of a man wearing a suit in front of an orange logo sign that says "Togo's"
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Togo's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Togo’s appoints CFO to CEO position

    Matt Dowling, who has been CFO for three years, will continue in that role while also taking on the top executive position.

    By • Oct. 16, 2024
  • An image of a man wearing a blue shirt with arms crossed.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Rusty Taco
    Image attribution tooltip
    Q&A // Meet the exec

    How Rusty Taco’s president is plotting sustainable growth

    Daniel Smith, who joined the chain earlier this year, is restructuring corporate to assist operators, boost franchise communication and optimize its business.

    By • Oct. 9, 2024
  • A Jack in the Box sign looms ominously from behind a hedge.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Jack in the Box CFO is leaving

    Brand veteran Dawn Hooper will serve as interim CFO for the third time since 2020 after Brian Scott departs in November for a position outside the restaurant industry.

    By • Oct. 4, 2024
  • A man, who really needs collar stays or a tie, grinning and wearing a white shirt under a navy or black sportcoat.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Arby's
    Image attribution tooltip

    Arby’s names president, CMO

    David Graves joined Arby’s from Yum Brands, with Inspire Brands leadership highlighting his reputation for transforming brands.

    By • Sept. 30, 2024
  • An image of a man with white hair wearing a suit
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of IHOP
    Image attribution tooltip

    IHOP president Jay Johns to retire

    Lawrence Kim, chief innovation officer at Yum, has been appointed president designee, effective Oct. 21, and will succeed Johns on Jan. 6.

    By • Sept. 26, 2024
  • An image of three women sitting on a gray couch. They are each holding up ice cream.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Handel's Ice Cream
    Image attribution tooltip

    Handel’s Ice Cream scoops up Wetzel’s Pretzels exec as CMO

    Hillary Frei joins the chain as it accelerates growth in new markets and expands within existing trade areas. 

    By • Sept. 25, 2024
  • A Denny's location in Emeryville, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Denny’s appoints Christopher Bode as COO, president

    Bode, who spent the past two years at CKE Restaurants, returns to Denny’s, where he previously served as COO for 11 years.

    By • Sept. 23, 2024
  • A group of people shaking hands
    Image attribution tooltip
    Caiaimage/Martin Barraud via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Restaurant CEO shakeups continue in September

    The flood of executive changes in August swept into September, as brands dissolved offices, announced transition plans and replaced ousted chiefs.

    By • Sept. 20, 2024
  • The outside of a Starbucks store
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Starbucks North America CEO to retire

    The coffee giant will not backfill the role, which was created less than six months ago, but is seeking a global chief brand officer.   

    By • Updated Sept. 17, 2024
  • A man in sport coat.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
    Image attribution tooltip

    Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux names third CEO in 2 years

    Chris Porcelli, the brand’s CFO, will succeed Chris Dawson, becoming the third man to lead the chain since the start of 2023.

    By • Sept. 16, 2024
  • Wendy's
    Image attribution tooltip
    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Wendy’s hires US operations lead, chief legal officer as executive shuffle continues

    The burger brand remade much of its leadership this year as it looks to return to net unit growth in the U.S.

    By • Sept. 16, 2024
  • A man in a white shirt and suit jacket.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Smashburger
    Image attribution tooltip

    Smashburger hires chief development officer

    Jim Sullivan will work on elevating the brand’s identity as a fast casual player through its development strategy.

    By • Sept. 12, 2024