Executive News

  • An image of Krispy Krunchy Chicken display at NACS
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    Permission granted by Krispy Krunchy Chicken
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    Krispy Krunchy Chicken names new CFO

    Jim Zielke brings more than three decades of restaurant leadership experience to the c-store-focused concept.

    By Jessica Loder • Jan. 16, 2025
  • Panera Bread storefront
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    Panera hires marketing, culinary executives

    Robin Seward joins the chain as senior vice president, brand and innovation, while Scott Uehlein was hired as vice president of culinary.

    By • Jan. 14, 2025
  • An exterior pink building with Saucy by KFC signage
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    Permission granted by Saucy by KFC
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    KFC taps CEO from Taco Bell North America

    Scott Mezvinsky inherits the chain as it invests in marketing and its tech-centric Saucy concept in a bid to stand out from buzzy chicken rivals. 

    By • Jan. 14, 2025
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    Bartaco promotes president to CEO

    Anthony Valletta takes the reins from Scott Lawton, who co-founded the chain in 2010 and guided it through major pandemic-induced staffing changes.

    By • Jan. 13, 2025
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    Permission granted by Shake Shack
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    Shake Shack appoints chief information and technology officer

    Rite Aid alum Justin Mennen brings over two decades of experience to the fast casual chain, which is developing a loyalty program.

    By • Jan. 10, 2025
  • An image of three Krispy Kreme doughnuts and six in a box.
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    Permission granted by McDonald's/Krispy Kreme
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    Krispy Kreme promotes 4 executives as part of expansion push

    The appointments include a new chief operating officer, chief growth officer, president of international and chief product officer.

    By • Jan. 9, 2025
  • Bloomin' Brands is promoting Pat Hafner, currently VP of operations at Carrabba's, to president of the Italian brand.
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    Bloomin’ appoints EVP, president of Outback Steakhouse

    Pat Hafner, president of Carrabba’s, has worked at Bloomin’ Brands in various capacities for nearly 30 years.

    By • Jan. 9, 2025
  • An image of a man and woman wearing suites and in front of a blue background
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    Courtesy of White Castle
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    White Castle names president

    Anthony Joseph, current chief administrative officer, takes over the role from Lisa Ingram, who will maintain her other roles of board chair and CEO.

    By • Jan. 7, 2025
  • A Panera store.
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    Panera Brands CEO resigns

    CFO Paul Carbone will serve as interim CEO for the company, which has yet to complete its planned IPO, in the wake of Jose Alberto Dueñas’ resignation.

    By • Jan. 7, 2025
  • Starbucks cup going into a recycling bin
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Inside Starbucks’ very long, very bad 2024

    Traffic declines and labor strife kept the chain mired in trouble despite a CEO switch up and product launches aimed at reviving its fortunes.

    By • Jan. 2, 2025
  • P.F. Chang’s airport location
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    Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
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    P.F. Chang’s finds new CMO in Ticketmaster, PepsiCo marketer

    Sonika Patel is tasked with providing strategic vision and execution across all brand and digital marketing touchpoints for the casual dining chain.

    By Chris Kelly • Dec. 17, 2024
  • Dutch Bros Coffee's president, Christine Barone will replace Joth Ricci as CEO. Pictured is a Dutch Bros unit.
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    Permission granted by Dutch Bros
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    Dutch Bros names Lululemon exec as chief tech officer

    Venki Krishnababu has over 30 years of experience and joins the chain as it rapidly expands into mobile ordering.

    By • Dec. 17, 2024
  • The prize center inside a Dave & Buster's restaurant
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    Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic via Getty Images
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    Dave & Buster’s CEO steps down as sales slide

    Chris Morris’ resignation follows several quarters of falling same-store sales as consumers pulled back from restaurant spending.

    By • Dec. 11, 2024
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    Permission granted by 7 Brew
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    7 Brew hires KFC vet as first CMO

    Nick Chavez joins the fast-growing brand after three years at KFC U.S. and will help with restaurant launches and expand the coffee chain’s loyalty program.

    By • Dec. 11, 2024
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    10 pivotal restaurant CEO changes from 2024

    Starbucks, Chipotle and Shake Shack were among many brands brought in new leaders this year following retirements or a need for a turnaround. 

    By • Dec. 9, 2024
  • A man wears a gray suit and stands in front of a glass window.
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s names Jack in the Box exec as COO

    Tony Darden joins Portillo’s as the chain focuses on improving operations and building restaurants with high AUVs.

    By • Dec. 3, 2024
  • Various Italian dishes, pastas and entrees from Maggiano's set on a red and white checkered table cloth.
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    Courtesy of Maggiano's Little Italy
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    Maggiano’s appoints KFC exec to marketing role

    Mike Wesley, who spent 14 years in marketing positions at the fried chicken brand, will help the casual chain amplify brand awareness and drive marketing and promotional activities.

    By • Dec. 2, 2024
  • A Jack in the Box sign looms ominously from behind a hedge.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box eliminates COO position

    Tony Darden will leave his position as SVP and COO and Ryan Ostrom, current EVP and chief marketing and digital officer, will assume responsibility for Jack in the Box’s operations.

    By • Nov. 27, 2024
  • An image of a woman standing in front of a Subway logo.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway CEO John Chidsey to retire

    Chidsey will leave the company after five years, and Carrie Walsh, current president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, will serve as interim CEO.

    By • Updated Nov. 26, 2024
  • An image of a sign that says Giordano's pizza.
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    Retrieved from Giordano's on November 22, 2024
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    Portillo’s CMO named CEO at Giordano’s pizza chain

    Nick Scarpino, who has worked in various marketing roles at Portillo’s since 2015, will succeed Yorgo Koutsogiorgas in December.

    By • Nov. 22, 2024
  • The Starbucks company logo on a glass door.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Starbucks appoints former Mars sustainability exec as CSO

    Marika McCauley Sine, who previously served as Mars’ global vice president of sustainability and chief sustainability officer, will oversee the coffee chain’s net-zero transition.

    By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 21, 2024
  • A Smoothie King with a drive-thru.
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    Courtesy of Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King hires Red Robin exec as CIO

    Jyoti Lynch is tasked with creating a comprehensive technology strategy to enhance the guest experience and improve franchise profitability.

    By • Nov. 20, 2024
  • A promotional image for Wendy's 2-for-$3 breakfast bundles.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s hires Ken Cook to succeed Gunther Plosch as CFO

    Cook, a former UPS financial exec, joins the company as it closes some weak stores but sees overall sales strength relative to other QSR burger chains.

    By • Nov. 19, 2024
  • An image of a woman smiling wearing a blue suit.
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    GoTo Foods names former IHOP exec as chief commercial officer

    Kieran Donahue will oversee various aspects of the commercial division, including marketing, branding and consumer insights and analytics.

    By • Nov. 19, 2024
  • Jack in the Box restaurant location
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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