David Pace, one of three new independent directors named this summer to the board of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, will become chairman effective Nov. 1.
He replaces current chair Pattye Moore, who plans to retire from the board at the end of the year.
Pace, along with Tom Conforti and G.J. Hart, became board members Aug. 6. A month after the board refresh, The Greenwood Village, Colo.-based casual dining chain named industry veteran Paul Murphy as the company’s new CEO. He started last week.
Pace most recently served as CEO of Jamba Juice Inc. and in leadership roles at Bloomin’ Brands, Starbucks Corp. and Yum! Brands Inc. Red Robin said he has “more than 30 years of leadership and turnaround experience in the food, beverage and retail industries.”
Moore said his track record makes him “ideally suited” for the role of Red Robin’s chairman.
“The Board and management team have made significant progress stabilizing the business and laying the foundation for long-term success. We look forward to leveraging Dave’s insights, leadership and guidance to restore long-term growth and improve profitability,” she said in a statement.
Aylwin Lewis will retire from the board effective Nov. 1, 2019, and Stuart Oran will not stand for re-election at the company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of stockholders, the company said.
Red Robin has 472 corporate locations and 90 franchise units.
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