Executive News: Page 4

  • Bloomin' Brands is promoting Pat Hafner, currently VP of operations at Carrabba's, to president of the Italian brand.
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    Permission granted by Bloomin' Brands
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    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 • Jan. 9, 2025
  • An image of a man and woman wearing suites and in front of a blue background
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    Courtesy of White Castle
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    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 • Jan. 7, 2025
  • A Panera store.
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    Courtesy of Panera
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    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 • Jan. 7, 2025
  • Starbucks cup going into a recycling bin
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    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 • Jan. 2, 2025
  • P.F. Chang’s airport location
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    Courtesy of P.F. Chang's
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    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 Coffee's president, Christine Barone will replace Joth Ricci as CEO. Pictured is a Dutch Bros unit.
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    Permission granted by Dutch Bros
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    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 • Dec. 17, 2024
  • The prize center inside a Dave & Buster's restaurant
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    Michael Loccisano/FilmMagic via Getty Images
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    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 • Dec. 11, 2024
  • An image of a man with a beard and glasses in front of a dark blue background
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    Permission granted by 7 Brew
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    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 • Dec. 11, 2024
  • An image of a man standing in front of a gray background.
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    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 • Dec. 9, 2024
  • A man wears a gray suit and stands in front of a glass window.
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    Courtesy of Portillo's
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    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 • Dec. 3, 2024
  • Various Italian dishes, pastas and entrees from Maggiano's set on a red and white checkered table cloth.
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    Courtesy of Maggiano's Little Italy
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    Maggiano’s appoints KFC exec to marketing role

    Mike Wesley, who spent 14 years in marketing positions at the fried chicken brand, will help the casual chain amplify brand awareness and drive marketing and promotional activities.

    By • Dec. 2, 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 eliminates COO position

    Tony Darden will leave his position as SVP and COO and Ryan Ostrom, current EVP and chief marketing and digital officer, will assume responsibility for Jack in the Box’s operations.

    By • Nov. 27, 2024
  • An image of a woman standing in front of a Subway logo.
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    Courtesy of Subway
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    Subway CEO John Chidsey to retire

    Chidsey will leave the company after five years, and Carrie Walsh, current president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, will serve as interim CEO.

    By • Updated Nov. 26, 2024
  • An image of a sign that says Giordano's pizza.
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    Retrieved from Giordano's on November 22, 2024
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    Portillo’s CMO named CEO at Giordano’s pizza chain

    Nick Scarpino, who has worked in various marketing roles at Portillo’s since 2015, will succeed Yorgo Koutsogiorgas in December.

    By • Nov. 22, 2024
  • The Starbucks company logo on a glass door.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Starbucks appoints former Mars sustainability exec as CSO

    Marika McCauley Sine, who previously served as Mars’ global vice president of sustainability and chief sustainability officer, will oversee the coffee chain’s net-zero transition.

    By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 21, 2024
  • A Smoothie King with a drive-thru.
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    Courtesy of Smoothie King
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    Smoothie King hires Red Robin exec as CIO

    Jyoti Lynch is tasked with creating a comprehensive technology strategy to enhance the guest experience and improve franchise profitability.

    By • Nov. 20, 2024
  • A promotional image for Wendy's 2-for-$3 breakfast bundles.
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    Courtesy of Wendy's
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    Wendy’s hires Ken Cook to succeed Gunther Plosch as CFO

    Cook, a former UPS financial exec, joins the company as it closes some weak stores but sees overall sales strength relative to other QSR burger chains.

    By • Nov. 19, 2024
  • An image of a woman smiling wearing a blue suit.
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    Permission granted by GoTo Foods
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    GoTo Foods names former IHOP exec as chief commercial officer

    Kieran Donahue will oversee various aspects of the commercial division, including marketing, branding and consumer insights and analytics.

    By • Nov. 19, 2024
  • Jack in the Box restaurant location
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Jack in the Box hires Lance Tucker as CFO again

    Tucker rejoins the brand as it eyes significant franchising growth but faces comparable sales headwinds.

    By • Nov. 14, 2024
  • A man in a gray suit stands in front of a wood panel background with the logo "Chipotle."
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    Courtesy of Chipotle
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    Chipotle names Scott Boatwright permanent CEO

    Boatwright, who has been interim CEO since August, said on an earnings call that the chain will continue its current strategies and focus on operational efficiency.

    By • Nov. 11, 2024
  • Masters of Scale Live series speaker
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    Permission granted by Slava Blazer Photography
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    Sponsored by Masters of Scale

    Masters of Scale Live series offers the key to restaurant success

    Masters of Scale Live launches their inaugural event in New York City with restaurateur Danny Meyer.

    Nov. 11, 2024
  • An image of Papa Johns sign on a store
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    Courtesy of Papa Johns
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    Papa Johns names new CMO to elevate data-driven creativity

    Jenna Bromberg, previously director of core marketing at Pizza Hut, joins Papa Johns as it works to improve perceptions around value and loyalty experiences.

    By Peter Adams • Nov. 7, 2024
  • An image of CKE Restaurants CEO Max Wetzel
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    Courtesy of CKE Restaurants
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    Tropical Smoothie Cafe appoints new CEO

    Max Wetzel, who previously served as CEO at CKE Restaurants for over a year, joins the smoothie chain months after it was acquired by Blackstone.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • A smiling white man in a blue shirt and a gray jacket with notch lapels.
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    Courtesy of Red Lobster
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    Red Lobster hires Brinker exec as COO

    Larry Konecny joins the seafood chain, which recently emerged from Chapter 11, after a 17-year tenure at Maggiano’s Little Italy.

    By • Nov. 4, 2024
  • A white building with shinges and a logo of a red lobster
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Red Lobster names new CMO

    Nichole Robillard, who recently led a rebrand for Smokey Bones, was praised for her ability to blend creative and operational expertise.

    By Peter Adams • Oct. 24, 2024