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City Barbeque named Mike Muldoon CEO as founder Rick Malir moved to chairman
The current president added the title in the fast-casual brand’s leadership transition
SushiSamba parent Orange Brands Management named co-CEOs
Patricia Gonzales and Omar Gutierrez will share the leadership role for the international restaurant group
Pieology named Shawn Thompson CEO
Former Supercuts executive earlier worked with Tim Hortons USA and RBI
Hot dog brand Wienerschnitzel promoted J.R. Galardi to CEO
Galardi has been promoted from president to president and CEO of the Irvine, Calif-based company
Carrols Restaurant Group named Paulo Pena as CEO
Former McDonald’s executive will succeed Daniel Accordino on April 1
Domino’s CEO Ritch Allison retired
Russell Weiner, Domino's COO and president, took over as CEO effective May 1.
El Pollo Loco named Larry Roberts CEO
The executive joined company in 2013 as chief financial officer and will keep role in the interim
Wingstop CEO Charlie Morrison unexpectedly resigned
Wingstop chairman and CEO Charlie Morrison resigned with COO Michael Skipworth appointed as his replacement
Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson retired
Johnson was replaced by former CEO Howard Schultz on an interim basis
Torchy’s Tacos CEO Mike Rypka no longer ‘interim’
The concept’s founder replaced GJ Hart, who retired last year
Shell Shack announced a new CEO, Monte Batson
Founder Dallas Hale to serve as chairman of Shell Shack’s board
Kelli Valade stepped down as Red Lobster’s CEO
Valade, who joined the casual-dining restaurant chain in August, called her resignation ‘difficult, but necessary’
Rosa Mexicano named Jim Dunn CEO
The former Smith & Wollensky, Hard Rock exec took the reins at the casual-dining restaurant chain during a ‘great transition time’
Denny’s Corp.’s John Miller retired
The family dining chain found a replacement…
Denny’s named Kelli Valade as the next CEO, succeeding John Miller
The family-dining brand also agreed to acquire 52-unit Keke Breakfast Café for $82M
Virtual Dining Concepts named Stephanie Sollers its first CEO
The Robert Earl-founded brand is planning to accelerating growth
Brinker International CEO, president Wyman Roberts retired
Kevin Hochman left KFC U.S. to replace Roberts at helm of Chili’s, Maggiano’s Little Italy parent
KFC U.S. president Kevin Hochman departed Yum Brands
Hochman left to succeed Wyman Roberts as president and CEO at Brinker International
Jason Vaughn named CEO of Arizona-based Eegee’s
Known for frozen drinks called ‘eegees,’ 31-unit quick-service chain has plans for growth
Former CKE exec Ron Coolbaugh named CEO of Fresh Brothers
He replaced former CEO Geoffrey Goodman in the role
Dave & Buster’s completed its acquisition of Main Event, named Chris Morris CEO
Chris Morris was the CEO of Main Event when the acquisition was first announced in April
G.J. Hart named president, CEO of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc.
Industry veteran replaced outgoing Paul Murphy, who retired but will stay on as advisor into 2023
Gong cha appointed new global CEO Paul Reynish
With over 25 years of executive leadership experience in the international franchise industry, Reynish will accelerate the brand’s global growth, drive operational excellence and maximize franchise profitability
Chip Wade succeeded Danny Meyer as CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group
Danny Meyer stepped down and Wade was promoted from COO/president to CEO
Church’s Texas Chicken named Joe Guith as its CEO
Former Focus Brands veteran succeeded Joe Christina in the role
Frisch’s Big Boy named James Walker CEO
The former Nathan’s Famous executive said he’s excited to join another legacy brand
SPB Hospitality, the operator of Logan’s Roadhouse and Old Chicago, named Josh Kern interim CEO
Jessica Hagler's appointment as a chief financial officer was made permanent at the casual-dining restaurant company
Starbucks named former PepsiCo exec Laxman Narasimhan as next CEO
Narasimhan will take the reins from interim CEO Howard Schultz on April 1, 2023
Bar Louie named former Tijuana Flats head Brian Wright as its CEO
Wright officially replaced Tom Fricke as CEO of the Texas-based gastrobar on Sept. 7
Dirty soda restaurant brand Swig named Rian McCartan CEO
Former Berkshire Hathaway executive will lead the growing brand with majority investment from Savory Fund
Fuku tapped Claudia Lezcano as its new CEO
Lezcano most recently served as senior vice president of U.S. marketing at Church's Texas Chicken.
Tijuana Flats named Joe Christina CEO
The former Church’s Texas Chicken executive was named to head the fast-casual brand
US Foods announced Dave Flitman as CEO
Flitman to bring more than 35 years of leadership, food distribution, supply chain and commercial experience to build upon US Foods’ momentum
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams named Stacy Peterson CEO
Columbus, Ohio-based scoop shop tapped the former Wingstop executive to succeed John Lowe in the role
Friendly’s parent company BRIX Holdings named Sherif Mityas CEO
Dawn Petite was named the new brand president of Friendly’s Restaurants
Parent to emerging restaurant Crisp & Green named Kelly C. Baltes CEO
Steele Brands founder and current CEO Steele Smiley to step down to an advisory role and serve as chairman of the board
Via 313 Pizzeria named former Front Burner exec Ray Risley as new CEO
Risley officially joined the Savory Fund-backed Detroit-style pizza brand in September
California Pizza Kitchen tapped board member for the CEO role
Jeff Warne replaced Jim Hyatt, who has served as CPK’s CEO and president since 2018.
Chef Michael Mina’s restaurant group named Jason Himber its new CEO
Himber served as president of the Mina Group since 2021, with increasing responsibilities throughout the past year.
Fiesta Restaurant Group CEO stepped down; CFO assumed the role
Rich Stockinger has been with Fiesta for six years. He is leaving to pursue other interests, according to the company.
Smalls Sliders named former Krispy Kreme president as its CEO
Maria Rivera joined the concept as it has more than 40 restaurants in the development pipeline.
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