Leading Executives in Other Restaurants
Chris Kempczinski
President & Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s
President & CEO leading McDonald’s global ‘Accelerating the Arches’ strategy and brand performance since 2019.
Brian Niccol
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Starbucks
Veteran brand builder who became Starbucks chairman & CEO on September 9, 2024, charged with executing the company’s turnaround.
Scott Boatwright
Chief Executive Officer, Chipotle Mexican Grill
Operations-first leader who rose from COO to CEO in November 2024; focuses on throughput, tech integration and disciplined expansion.
David Gibbs
Chief Executive Officer, Yum! Brands (KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, The Habit Burger Grill)
CEO since 2020 who led Yum!’s digital transformation and rapid unit growth; plans to retire in 2026 after a succession process.
Joshua Kobza
Chief Executive Officer, Restaurant Brands International (Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes, Firehouse Subs)
Longtime RBI executive and dealmaker appointed CEO in March 2023; helped drive the acquisitions of Tim Hortons, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs.
Russell Weiner
Chief Executive Officer, Domino’s Pizza
Marketing-driven leader behind the ‘Pizza Turnaround’ who became CEO in 2022 and continues to scale Domino’s digital and global growth.
Rick Cardenas
President & Chief Executive Officer, Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, etc.)
Darden lifer who rose from busser to President & CEO in 2022; oversees the largest U.S. full‑service restaurant company.
Company bio | Leadership roster
Kevin Hochman
Chief Executive Officer & President, Brinker International (Chili’s, Maggiano’s)
Former KFC U.S. chief who now leads Chili’s and Maggiano’s as Brinker’s CEO & President, steering brand and operational renewal.
Rob Lynch
Chief Executive Officer, Shake Shack
Ex‑Papa Johns CEO recruited in 2024 to accelerate Shack’s global expansion and drive‑thru strategy.
Michael Skipworth
President & Chief Executive Officer, Wingstop
Finance‑to‑ops leader who became President & CEO in 2022 and is scaling Wingstop’s high‑margin, digitally led growth model.
Jerry Morgan
Chief Executive Officer, Texas Roadhouse (Texas Roadhouse, Bubba’s 33, Jaggers)
Roadhouse veteran elevated to CEO in 2021; credited with sustaining traffic growth and disciplined new‑unit development.
Michael L. Spanos
Chief Executive Officer, Bloomin’ Brands (Outback, Carrabba’s, Bonefish, Fleming’s)
Operational heavyweight (ex‑Delta COO; former Six Flags CEO) appointed Bloomin’ Brands CEO in September 2024 to drive portfolio performance.
Brett Schulman
Co‑Founder & Chief Executive Officer, CAVA Group
Co‑founder & CEO who took CAVA public and is building a category‑defining Mediterranean fast‑casual platform nationwide.
Jonathan Neman
Co‑Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Sweetgreen
Co‑founder & CEO shaping Sweetgreen’s tech‑forward, health‑focused brand and national expansion.
Michael Osanloo
President & Chief Executive Officer, Portillo’s
Brand‑builder who has led Portillo’s as President & CEO since 2018, steering new‑market growth and a successful public listing.
Chris Tomasso
Chief Executive Officer & President, First Watch Restaurants
Breakfast‑and‑brunch specialist CEO since 2018; guided First Watch’s high‑growth playbook and public listing.
John Peyton
Chief Executive Officer, Dine Brands Global (Applebee’s, IHOP, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop)
Franchising veteran leading Applebee’s and IHOP’s parent since 2021, focused on digital, menu and franchisee health.
Paul Carbone
Chief Executive Officer, Panera Brands (Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee, Einstein Bros.)
Former CFO appointed CEO in March 2025 to lead Panera Brands’ next phase after serving as interim chief earlier in the year.
Josh Charlesworth
President & Chief Executive Officer, Krispy Kreme
Finance‑and‑ops veteran who became President & CEO in 2024; driving the brand’s hub‑and‑spoke expansion and fresh points of access.
Related Topics
Further Reading
Was this page helpful? We'd love your feedback — please email us at feedback@dealstream.com.