Executive News: Page 3

  • 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 CEO, president Gregory Levin steps down

    C. Bradford Richmond, current board director and former Darden CFO, will become interim CEO upon Levin’s departure.

    By • Updated Aug. 28, 2024
  • An image of a small restaurant with a red facade that has a white logo saying Checkers. There is a woman waiting at a pickup window and a blue car at a drive-thru window.
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    The image by Pokemonprime is licensed under CC BY 4.0
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    Checkers & Rally’s names CEO, president

    Chris Tebben, who has worked at Mars, Starbucks, P.F. Chang’s and Pizza Hut, becomes the company’s top executive following Frances Allen’s departure.

    By • Updated Aug. 28, 2024
  • A photo of Chris Tarrant from Nothing Bundt Cakes
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    Courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes
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    Sweetgreen hires Starbucks alum to head development

    Suburban growth and automated stores are major priorities for the salad chain, which is hiring Nothing Bundt Cakes’ CDO, Christopher Tarrant.

    By • Aug. 26, 2024
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    Courtesy of Fortress Investment Group
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    Red Lobster gets another CEO

    The chain’s pending owner has hired Damola Adamolekun to head up the reorganized company, which is planning to close 23 stores at the end of August.

    By • Aug. 26, 2024
  • An Outback Steakhouse restaurant on a cold day.
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    Scott Olson via Getty Images
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    Bloomin’ names Delta Air Lines exec as CEO

    Michael Spanos, Delta’s executive vice president and COO, joins Bloomin’ as it works on turning around operations after slumping sales. 

    By • Updated Aug. 26, 2024
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    Permission granted by BurgerFi
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    BurgerFi hires chief restructuring officer

    The move comes just days after the chain expressed “substantial doubt” over its ability to continue operating given its current financial situation.

    By • Aug. 23, 2024
  • An image of a Tony Roma's with red neon backlighting
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    The image by Dirk Ingo Franke is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Tony Roma’s names permanent CEO

    Mohaimina Haque’s appointment marks a “new chapter” at the chain as it seeks to reduce costs and grow internationally.

    By • Aug. 22, 2024
  • Shot of Starbucks store in Seattle on July 3 2024
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    David Ryder via Getty Images
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    Will Brian Niccol’s customer experience success as CEO of Chipotle translate to Starbucks?

    The executive spearheaded mobile ordering upgrades and better order fulfillment at Chipotle. Experts say the same lessons could improve customer experience at Starbucks.

    By Bryan Wassel • Aug. 19, 2024
  • An image of a brick building with red Chick-fil-A signage
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Chick-fil-A names new president

    Susannah Frost will be responsible for providing strategic clarity and ensuring sustainable growth.

    By • Aug. 16, 2024
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    (Photo by Scott Olson) via Getty Images
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    What Starbucks’ new CEO choice could mean for the company

    Analysts predicted new products and advertising would be immediate points of emphasis for incoming CEO Brian Niccol, with major changes looming on the horizon.

    By • Aug. 14, 2024
  • An image of a a white building with Chipotle signage at night.
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    Permission granted by Chipotle
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    Chipotle appoints Scott Boatwright as interim CEO

    Following Brian Niccol’s move to Starbucks, the chain’s long-tenured COO will lead it as the board of directors seeks a permanent CEO.

    By • Aug. 13, 2024
  • An image of a man standing in front of a gray background.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Starbucks names Brian Niccol as its CEO

    Brian Niccol, who has been CEO at Chipotle since 2018, joins the chain as it continues to face declines in traffic and comparable sales.

    By • Aug. 13, 2024
  • Popeyes refreshes brand identity and restaurant interiors
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    Courtesy of Popeyes
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    Popeyes appoints PepsiCo marketer as new CMO

    Bart LaCount will serve as chief marketing officer in North America after previous CMO Jeff Klein was promoted to president at the fried chicken chain.

    By Chris Kelly • Aug. 12, 2024
  • The exterior of a Panera Bread restaurant.
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    Justin Sullivan / Staff via Getty Images
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    Panera Bread nabs Papa Johns CMO following menu overhaul

    The sandwich and soup spot, which is plotting an IPO, is appointing an experienced QSR marketer known for a digital-first approach.

    By Peter Adams • Aug. 8, 2024
  • A photograph of a smiling man wearing a black suit, light blue shirt and blue tie.
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns appoints former Wendy’s chief as CEO

    Todd Penegor joins the chain as it implements its Back to Better 2.0 plan, an initiative to boost marketing spend and create incentives to accelerate franchise development.

    By • Updated Aug. 1, 2024
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    Courtesy of Denny's
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    Denny’s hires chief brand and chief people officers

    Monigo G. Saygbay-Hallie will help shape Denny’s culture as chief people officer while Patty Trevino will focus on all areas of branding in her role.

    By • July 24, 2024
  • An image of a man smiling and looking off to the side. He has a headset microphone on his right ear.
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    Courtesy of Zaxby's
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    Zaxbys creates e-commerce division, adds chief digital officer

    Chris Kung, who joins the fast food chain after four years at Dollar General, will oversee the company’s new e-commerce and loyalty team. 

    By • July 24, 2024
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    Permission granted by Puttshack
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    Puttshack promotes CFO to CEO

    Logan Powell, the eatertainment’s CFO for five years, takes over for Joe Vrankin as the company looks to expand its footprint in the U.S.

    By • July 18, 2024
  • An image of a woman with brown hair wearing a jean jacket and red shirt in front of a dark blue curtain.
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    Frederick M. Brown via Getty Images
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    Award-winning chef, IRC co-founder Naomi Pomeroy dies

    Pomeroy advocated for independent restaurants and fought for the legislation that established the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

    By • July 16, 2024
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    Permission granted by Schlotzsky's
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    Schlotzsky’s hires chief brand officer

    Donna Spangler-Josephson will lead the deli chain’s marketing and branding efforts as it looks to reverse a gradual erosion of its store base.

    By • July 12, 2024
  • A hand holding a cocktail in front of a smoke screen.
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    Courtesy of Maggiano's Little Italy
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    Maggiano’s looks to boost traffic with new cocktail menu, ingredients revamp

    The Mixologist Collection, which includes drinks that are mixed tableside, is part of “the first act” in the company’s push to elevate its dining experience.

    By • July 10, 2024
  • An image of a man wearing a suit in front of a Chipotle menu and make line.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle CFO Jack Hartung to retire after two decades at chain

    Adam Rymer, the company’s current vice president of finance, will become CFO in January.

    By • July 10, 2024
  • Jordan Chirico in a white dress shirt similing in front of a beige background
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Fat Brands hires financial expert to help deleverage balance sheet

    In his new role, Jordan Chirico will focus on the company’s $1.2 billion debt that built up following Fat’s acquisition spree that began in 2019.

    By • July 2, 2024
  • An iamge of Eric Matrino, Hard Rock Cafe president, in a gray suit crossing his arms and smiling
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    Courtesy of Hard Rock International
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    Hard Rock appoints cafe division president

    Eric Martino, who has over 30 years of hospitality experience, will oversee operations at nearly 200 eateries around the world.

    By • July 1, 2024
  • A picture of a building with Domino's signage and a car parked on the left side.
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    Courtesy of Domino's
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    Domino’s appoints chief human resources officer

    Effective July 8, Maureen Pittenger will take on all aspects of human resources strategies in her new position at the pizza chain. 

    By • June 24, 2024