Leading Executives in Restaurants
Chris Kempczinski
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, McDonald’s Corporation
Chairman and CEO since 2019 (Chairman added in 2024), Kempczinski is the architect of McDonald’s ‘Accelerating the Arches’ growth strategy and a leading voice on systemwide modernization and value.
Company bio | LinkedIn | Newsroom
Brian Niccol
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Starbucks Coffee Company
Became Starbucks chairman and CEO on September 9, 2024 after leading Chipotle’s high-profile turnaround; now driving a multiyear operational reset at Starbucks.
Company bio | Press/Media | Newsroom
Scott Boatwright
Chief Executive Officer, Chipotle Mexican Grill
A longtime operations leader at Chipotle, Boatwright was named CEO in November 2024 after serving as interim CEO when Brian Niccol left; he’s focused on throughput, back-of-house modernization, and steady expansion.
Company bio | Press/Media | Newsroom
Josh Kobza
Chief Executive Officer, Restaurant Brands International (Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes, Firehouse Subs)
CEO since March 1, 2023; a veteran dealmaker credited with RBI’s Tim Hortons, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs acquisitions and charged with accelerating global unit growth.
Company bio / press | LinkedIn (company)
David Gibbs
Chief Executive Officer, Yum! Brands (KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, The Habit Burger Grill)
CEO since 2020, Gibbs has led Yum!’s digital transformation and record development; on March 31, 2025 he announced plans to retire in early 2026 while continuing to lead through succession.
Rick Cardenas
President and Chief Executive Officer, Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, et al.)
A 35-year Darden veteran who rose from busser to CEO in 2022, Cardenas is known for disciplined operations and multi-brand casual-dining leadership.
Company bio | LinkedIn (company)
Russell Weiner
Chief Executive Officer, Domino’s Pizza, Inc.
Former CMO turned CEO, Weiner leads Domino’s ‘Hungry for MORE’ strategy and continues to out-execute in digital and delivery at the world’s largest pizza company.
Leadership page | Investor News
Ken Cook
Interim Chief Executive Officer & Chief Financial Officer, The Wendy’s Company
Named interim CEO on July 8, 2025 following Kirk Tanner’s departure; Cook concurrently serves as CFO and is steering Wendy’s while the board completes a CEO search.
Rob Lynch
Chief Executive Officer, Shake Shack
Appointed CEO effective May 20, 2024 after leading Papa John’s, Lynch was tapped to scale Shack’s growth and elevate profitability while preserving brand hospitality.
Press release | LinkedIn (company)
Jonathan Fitzpatrick
Chief Executive Officer, Subway
Joined as CEO on July 28, 2025 after leading Driven Brands and serving in senior roles at Burger King; charged with revitalizing U.S. performance and global expansion post-Roark acquisition.
Press release | Leadership bio
Paul Brown
Co‑Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Inspire Brands (Arby’s, Dunkin’, Sonic, Buffalo Wild Wings, Jimmy John’s, Baskin-Robbins)
Co-founder and CEO, Brown orchestrated the roll-up of six iconic brands and built a shared data-and-tech platform to drive franchisee value and scale.
About/Leadership | Press/Media
Paul Carbone
Interim Chief Executive Officer, Panera Brands (Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee, Einstein Bros.)
Named interim CEO on January 7, 2025, the longtime CFO stepped in to steady Panera Brands and its IPO preparations after José Alberto Dueñas resigned.
Michael Skipworth
President and Chief Executive Officer, Wingstop
CEO since 2022, Skipworth has presided over record unit growth and 20%+ same-store sales surges, positioning Wingstop on a path to become a top‑10 global restaurant brand.
Jerry Morgan
Chief Executive Officer & President, Texas Roadhouse, Inc.
A 27‑year company veteran, Morgan became CEO in 2021 and continues to drive strong growth at Texas Roadhouse, Bubba’s 33 and Jaggers.
Press release | LinkedIn (company)
Christine Barone
Chief Executive Officer, Dutch Bros Coffee
Former True Food Kitchen CEO and Starbucks exec, Barone became Dutch Bros CEO on Jan. 1, 2024 to lead an aggressive U.S. expansion toward a long‑term 4,000‑shop goal.
Josh Charlesworth
President and Chief Executive Officer, Krispy Kreme, Inc.
Promoted to CEO effective Jan. 1, 2024; in 2025 he’s executing a turnaround plan focused on deleveraging and profitable U.S. and international growth.
Todd Penegor
President and Chief Executive Officer, Papa Johns International
Appointed President & CEO on Aug. 1, 2024 after eight years leading Wendy’s, Penegor is refocusing the brand on core pizza, value, and a stepped‑up digital roadmap.
Sean Tresvant
Chief Executive Officer, Taco Bell Division, Taco Bell (Yum! Brands)
Former Nike/Jordan Brand exec turned Taco Bell CMO, Tresvant became Taco Bell Division CEO on Jan. 1, 2024 and is leaning into beverages, chicken and value to fuel growth.
Kevin Hochman
Chief Executive Officer and President, Brinker International (Chili’s Grill & Bar; Maggiano’s Little Italy)
CEO since 2022 and also President of Chili’s, Hochman is driving the Chili’s turnaround with a sharper value promise and improved traffic.
John Peyton
Chief Executive Officer, Dine Brands Global (Applebee’s, IHOP, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop)
CEO since Jan. 4, 2021, Peyton is steering new growth vectors, including dual‑branded Applebee’s + IHOP formats and brand refreshes across the portfolio.
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