Executive News: Page 2
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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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 17, 2024 -
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 -
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 Julie Littman • Oct. 16, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • Oct. 9, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Oct. 4, 2024 -
Arby’s names president, CMO
David Graves joined Arby’s from Yum Brands, with Inspire Brands leadership highlighting his reputation for transforming brands.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 30, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • Sept. 26, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • Sept. 25, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • Sept. 23, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 20, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Updated Sept. 17, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 16, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 16, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 12, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 9, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 9, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 9, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • Sept. 4, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 4, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Sept. 3, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 30, 2024 -
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 Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Aug. 29, 2024 -
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 -
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 Julie Littman • Aug. 29, 2024 -
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 Julie Littman • Aug. 29, 2024