Cheddar’s Casual Café names Peter Gaudreau EVP of operations

Cheddar’s Casual Café has named Peter Gaudreau executive vice president of operations, the company said Thursday.

Gaudreau, who joined the Irving, Texas-based casual-dining operator on Jan. 14, succeeds Jonathan Weber, who left the company in May 2012.

Gaudreau most recently was vice president of operations for Freebirds World Burrito. Prior to his time at Freebirds, he worked with such restaurants as Napa Valley Grille, California Café and McCormick & Schmick’s.

At Cheddar’s, he will be responsible for the 72 company-owned restaurants, as well as positioning operations in the rest of the 130-unit chain.

Kelly C. Baltes, Cheddar’s chairman and chief executive, said in a statement that Gaudreau “brings a unique combination of experience and skills to lead our great operations team."

He continued, “He will provide passionate leadership to further advance our culinary and service standards, the development of our great leaders and our team for continued growth."
  
Cheddar’s was founded in 1979 and has units in 23 states.

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