Executive News

  • An image of a woman with short brown hair smiling in front of a gray background. She is wearing a red shirt.
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    Courtesy of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
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    Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf hires Taco Bell vet as president, head of Americas

    Tara Hinkle, who also spent over a decade at Starbucks, will oversee the chain’s growth strategy in the Americas.

    By • Feb. 21, 2025
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    Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
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    Bloomin’ Brands lays off 100 corporate employees

    The cuts at its Tampa, Florida, support center represent a 17% reduction and follow corporate layoffs at Dine Brands, Starbucks and Denny’s.

    By • Feb. 21, 2025
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    Courtesy of Church's Texas Chicken
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    Church’s Texas Chicken appoints CEO

    Roland Gonzalez, who served as COO for the past two years, takes over at the chain as it aims to grow systemwide sales from $1.5 billion to $2 billion.

    By • Feb. 21, 2025
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    Permission granted by Tijuana Flats
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    Noodles & Company hires Joe Christina as president and COO

    Christina, formerly CEO at Tijuana Flats, joins the chain as it embarks on a long-term menu overhaul and turns the corner on sales struggles.

    By • Feb. 20, 2025
  • A Torchy's Tacos sign shot from a low angle.
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    Tornado98 via Getty Images
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    Torchy’s Tacos hires GoTo Foods vet as CEO

    Paul Macaluso, who most recently served as president and CEO of Another Broken Egg Cafe, joins the brand as it invests in tech ahead of a growth push.

    By • Feb. 19, 2025
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    Permission granted by Saucy by KFC
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    KFC US promotes CMO to president

    Catherine Tan-Gillespie will take over from Tarun Lal as U.S. president for the chicken chain on April 1, after a difficult year for sales.

    By • Feb. 13, 2025
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    Retrieved from EG America.
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    EG America names new head of branded QSR operations

    The retailer has appointed a leader for its department that recently launched three fresh restaurant concepts.

    By Brett Dworski • Feb. 12, 2025
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    Permission granted by Tropical Smoothie Cafe
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    Tropical Smoothie Cafe hires Baskin-Robbins vet as COO

    Jonathan Biggs joins the company during a rapid growth period. The chain also promoted Chris Sasser to CFO and Karen Wickliffe to general counsel.

    By • Feb. 11, 2025
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    Panera Bread hires Dunkin’ vet as CIO

    Santhosh Kumar, who spent almost two decades in IT roles at Dunkin’, will develop and deploy tech across the chain’s 2,200-plus cafes.

    By • Feb. 7, 2025
  • A photograph of an Applebee's sign.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Applebee’s president Tony Moralejo steps down

    Moralejo’s departure follows last week’s announcement that parent company Dine Brands would cut 9% of its workforce.

    By • Feb. 6, 2025
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    Courtesy of Just Salad
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    Just Salad hires marketing, CX and development chiefs

    The appointments come shortly after the chain opened its first drive-thru restaurant as part of a growth push.

    By • Feb. 4, 2025
  • An image of a brick building with Applebee's signage
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Dine Brands cuts 9% of corporate workforce

    The layoffs impacted different brand teams, offices and departments, and follow comparable sales declines for the Applebee's and IHOP owner in Q3.

    By • Feb. 3, 2025
  • Shake Shack's "Worth It" campaign imagery.
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    Courtesy of Shake Shack
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    Shake Shack appoints 2 marketing execs

    The fast casual chain created the roles of chief growth officer and chief communications officer as it prepares for the departure of CMO Jay Livingston.

    By • Jan. 30, 2025
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    Retrieved from Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant on January 28, 2025
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    Cooper’s Hawk appoints 3 C-suite execs, preps for fast growth

    The chain hired a new CFO, chief customer officer and chief technology officer to help it expand and improve brand positioning and guest experience.

    By • Jan. 29, 2025
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Starbucks hires Taco Bell vets to replace departing execs

    Mike Grams and Meredith Sandland will divide responsibilities in newly created roles as part of a refreshed corporate structure.

    By • Jan. 28, 2025
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    Permission granted by Taco Bell
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    Taco Bell names North America president

    Meghan Farren, who has spent 10 years at KFC U.K. and Ireland, will take over the position from Scott Mezvinsky, who was promoted to KFC U.S. CEO.

    By • Jan. 27, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
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    Panera hires development chief from GoTo Foods

    Brian Krause’s appointment marks the cafe chain’s latest executive shakeup, following board changes, a CEO departure and new culinary leadership.

    By • Jan. 22, 2025
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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
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    Permission granted by Panera Bread
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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
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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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    Permission granted by Bloomin' Brands
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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
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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