Executive News
-
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 Julie Littman • Feb. 7, 2025 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 6, 2025 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Feb. 4, 2025 -
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 Julie Littman • Feb. 3, 2025 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 30, 2025 -
Retrieved from Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant on January 28, 2025
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 Julie Littman • Jan. 29, 2025 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 28, 2025 -
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 Julie Littman • Jan. 27, 2025 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 22, 2025 -
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 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 Julie Littman • Jan. 14, 2025 -
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 Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 14, 2025 -
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 Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 13, 2025 -
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 Julie Littman • Jan. 10, 2025 -
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 Julie Littman • Jan. 9, 2025 -
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 Julie Littman • Jan. 9, 2025 -
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 Julie Littman • Jan. 7, 2025 -
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 Julie Littman • Jan. 7, 2025 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Jan. 2, 2025 -
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 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 Julie Littman • Dec. 17, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 11, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • Dec. 11, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Dec. 9, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • Dec. 3, 2024