Executive News

  • 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.
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    Courtesy of Dog Haus
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    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
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    Permission granted by Domino's Pizza
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    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
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    Permission granted by Togo's
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    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
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    Permission granted by Rusty Taco
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    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.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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
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    Courtesy of Arby's
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    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
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    Courtesy of IHOP
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    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
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    Permission granted by Handel's Ice Cream
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    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.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    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
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    Caiaimage/Martin Barraud via Getty Images
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    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
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    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
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    Courtesy of Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
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    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
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    Thai Phi Le/Restaurant Dive
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    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
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    Courtesy of Smashburger
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    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
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    Jason Davis via Getty Images
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    Waffle House’s former CEO Walt Ehmer dies

    Ehmer led the restaurant brand for more than a decade, before he was succeeded by Joe Rogers III last year. He was 58.

    By • Sept. 9, 2024
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Deep Dive

    Brian Niccol was hired to transform Starbucks. Is that possible?

    Niccol must contend with the coffee chain’s growing brand identity and consumer perception problems, and balance its “third place” value proposition with efficient digital fulfillment.

    By • Sept. 9, 2024
  • In this photo illustration, a Papa John's pizza box is seen on July 11, 2018 in Miami, Florida.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Papa Johns hires ex-Wendy’s CIO as digital chief

    Kevin Vasconi joins his old boss, Todd Penegor, in leading the pizza chain as it looks to improve its value proposition and continue franchised growth.

    By • Sept. 9, 2024
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    Permission granted by First Watch
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    First Watch appoints CIO

    Rob Conti, who previously served as SVP of information technology, has been instrumental in the company’s rollout of business intelligence, pay-at-table technology and other systems.

    By • Sept. 4, 2024
  • A portrait photo of Whataburger CEO Ed Nelson, a man with gray hair, smiling, while wearing a blue checked button down
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    Courtesy of Whataburger
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    Whataburger CEO to retire, COO will succeed

    Debbie Stroud will take the helm of the burger chain at the end of the year, following Ed Nelson’s departure.

    By • Sept. 4, 2024
  • An image of an orange building with a logo that says BJ's
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    Julie Littman/Restaurant Dive
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    BJ’s Restaurants hires On the Border CEO as president, chief concept officer

    Hiring Lyle Tick, who worked at beverage-heavy concepts like Buffalo Wild Wings, may signal a greater emphasis on BJ’s brewhouse roots.

    By • Sept. 3, 2024
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    A look back at August’s frantic restaurant CEO switch-ups

    In four weeks, at least eight restaurant companies named new CEOs as sliding sales and declining traffic pushed brands to try turnarounds.

    By • Aug. 30, 2024
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Fat Brands signals development strategy with new hires

    The multi-brand platform hired Ammy Harrison, a Papa Johns alum, to lead non-traditional development and Maiyo Hood, a Subway Greater China vet, to lead its international efforts.

    By • Aug. 29, 2024
  • An image of a hand holding a smart phone with a KFC Rewards logo on the screen
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    Courtesy of KFC
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    KFC names US marketing, development chief to bolster turnaround efforts

    Catherine Tan-Gillespie, a company veteran, will hold dual roles related to marketing and development as KFC tries to break out of a slump.

    By Peter Adams • Aug. 29, 2024
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle moves up CFO start date

    Adam Rymer and Jack Hartung will start in their positions as CFO and president and chief strategy officer, respectively, on Oct. 1.

    By • Aug. 29, 2024
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    Permission granted by Black Bear Diner
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    Black Bear Diner appoints P.F. Chang’s vet as COO

    Art Kilmer brings decades of restaurant experience at P.F. Chang’s and Steak and Ale to his new position.

    By • Aug. 29, 2024