Executive News: Page 4


  • An exterior image of a Shake Shack restaurant
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Shake Shack hires Arby’s vet as COO

    Stephanie Sentell, who has over two decades of restaurant experience, will oversee operations at company-owned restaurants. 

    By June 17, 2024
  • An image of a Noodles & Company restaurant with outdoor seating
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    Courtesy of Noodles & Company
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    Noodles & Company appoints chief concept officer

    Scott Davis, who joins the troubled chain after serving as president and chief concept officer at CoreLife, was also concept chief at Panera for nearly three decades.

    By June 13, 2024
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    Courtesy of CKE
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    CKE appoints Papa Johns vet as chief technology and growth officer

    Justin Falciola will oversee information technology, digital strategy and operations and help deploy new technologies as the company invests in digital channels. 

    By June 12, 2024
  • An image of a man in a blue striped shirt crossing his arms
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    Permission granted by Corner Bakery
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    Corner Bakery promotes COO to president

    Erin Hasselgren, who returned to the chain as COO in 2023, has become the company’s fifth president and first under new owner SSCP.

    By June 12, 2024
  • An image of Tijuana Flats
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    Permission granted by Tijuana Flats
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    Tijuana Flats appoints turnaround expert as CEO

    James Greco, who has helped revitalize brands like Sbarro and Bruegger’s, joins the fast casual brand two months after it declared bankruptcy.

    By June 11, 2024
  • An image of a man in a suite in front of a light background
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    Permission granted by Swig
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    Swig hires Dutch Bros exec as chief development officer

    Daniel Batty brings over 20 years of QSR experience to his role at the 81-unit beverage chain that has 500 signed franchised agreements. 

    By June 4, 2024
  • An evening shot of a building with white and red coloring and signage that says "Portillo's."
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    Portillo’s COO to depart chain

    Derrick Pratt’s departure comes amid the company’s execution of a four-pronged plan to improve operations, including drive-thru speeds. 

    By May 31, 2024
  • A headshot of Abigail Pringle
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    Permission granted by The Wendy's Co.
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    Wendy’s appoints presidents for US, international

    Abigail Pringle has been named to the new role of president, U.S, while E.J. Wunsch, its chief legal officer, becomes international president.

    By May 23, 2024
  • A photo of a man wearing a blue suit in front of a beige backround.
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    Courtesy of CEC Entertainment
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    CEC Entertainment appoints CFO

    Scott Drake is now the company’s top financial executive, and CEC also promoted three execs to various positions in operations and legal.

    By May 21, 2024
  • An exterior image of a Pizza Hut with bricks and red signage
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    Courtesy of Yum Brands/Pizza Hut
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    Pizza Hut names new CMO, global chief brand officer as sales slide

    The new appointments come weeks after the chain named Carl Loredo, previously global chief marketing officer for Wendy’s, as its new U.S. president.

    By Chris Kelly • May 20, 2024
  • A man stands in front of a red wall with "Sbarro" branding
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    Courtesy of Sbarro
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    Sbarro names RBI exec as North America president

    Mario Bojorquez will support company restaurants and franchisee expansion, operational execution and brand growth. 

    By May 16, 2024
  • An image of a Johnny Rockets counter.
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    Permission granted by Fat Brands
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    Feds indict Andrew Wiederhorn, Fat Brands in $47M loan scheme

    Wiederhorn was slapped with a litany of charges including tax evasion, wire fraud and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.

    By May 10, 2024
  • An image of a Smoothie King with a drive-thru
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    Permission granted by Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King hires Yum Brands exec as CFO

    Gavin Felder, who most recently served as chief strategy officer at Yum Brands, joins the chain as it continues an aggressive growth push with positive same-store sales momentum. 

    By May 9, 2024
  • Outback Steakhouse exterior
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    Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
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    Bloomin’ Brands CEO David Deno to retire

    The restaurant industry executive has been CEO at the Outback parent for five years. The board has begun a search for his successor. 

    By May 7, 2024
  • Juan Carlos Loredo, wearing a sport coat and gray trousers, smiles in an office.
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    Courtesy of Pizza Hut
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    Pizza Hut taps Wendy’s exec as US president

    Carl Loredo, Wendy’s former global chief marketing officer, joins the pizza chain after U.S. sales slid 6% year over year last quarter.

    By May 6, 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 names new chief supply chain officer

    Kurt Milburn takes up the role as the pizza chain looks to cut supply chain costs and boost productivity.

    By Alejandra Carranza • May 3, 2024
  • Donatos Pizza executives Tom Krouse and Kevin King
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    Courtesy of Donatos Pizza
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    Donatos CEO to retire, president will assume post

    Tom Krouse will retire in October after 20-plus years at the pizza chain. President Kevin King will take on the role of CEO upon Krouse’s retirement. 

    By May 1, 2024
  • The prize center inside a Dave & Buster's restaurant
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    Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic via Getty Images
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    Former Chuck E. Cheese exec takes Dave & Buster’s CFO seat

    The change comes as Dave & Buster's looks to drive growth through a dining experience overhaul, among other initiatives.

    By Alexei Alexis • April 25, 2024
  • Fuzzy's Taco Shop CMO Patrick Kirk
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    Courtesy of Fuzzy's Taco Shop
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    Fuzzy’s Taco Shop taps Applebee’s vet as CMO

    In his new role, Patrick Kirk will oversee all aspects of marketing, including advertising, digital marketing and culinary and beverage innovation. 

    By April 23, 2024
  • MOD Pizza
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    Permission granted by MOD Pizza
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    Mod Pizza hires Raising Cane’s exec as CMO

    Jennifer Anderson brings nearly two decades of marketing and culinary experience to her new position, where she will oversee digital marketing, menu development and consumer insights and engagement. 

    By April 17, 2024
  • An image of a white building with red stripes and KFC branding.
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    Moses Robinson via Getty Images
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    KFC names new CFO amid push to boost sales

    The finance leadership change comes as KFC struggles with dwindling traffic in a dicey economic environment.

    By Alexei Alexis • April 11, 2024
  • An image of Brooklyn Dumpling Shop CEO Jeff Galletly standing in from of a Brooklyn Dumpling Shop logo.
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    Permission granted by Brooklyn Dumpling Shop
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    Brooklyn Dumpling Shop hires former RBI exec as CEO

    Jeff Galletly will oversee operations, store development, franchise expansion and menu innovation as the chain expands in new markets.

    By April 10, 2024
  • An image of Checkers & Rally's former CEO Frances Allen
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    Permission granted by Checkers & Rally's
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    Checkers & Rally’s CEO resigns

    Frances Allen, who has led the chain since 2020, oversaw the deployment of a modern image redesign and voice artificial intelligence at drive-thrus.

    By April 5, 2024
  • A portrait photograph of Blake Devillier, who joined CKE as Carl's Jr. USA president on April 1.
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    Courtesy of CKE Restaurants
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    CKE names Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr. US brand presidents

    Blake Devillier joined Carl’s Jr. as president, USA on April 1, after Chris Bode was appointed president of Hardee’s USA in the fall, signaling a growing divergence in brand identities.

    By April 4, 2024
  • Outback Steakhouse exterior
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    Courtesy of Bloomin' Brands
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    Bloomin’ promotes Michael Healy to CFO

    Healy took the role when Christopher Meyer retired on April 1, as Bloomin’ faces uneven performance across its restaurant chains.

    By April 4, 2024