Restaurant Executive Recruiters Serving Atlanta
Executive Search for Restaurant and Franchise Leaders in Atlanta
The restaurant and franchise industry requires leaders who can navigate rapid growth, operational complexity, and evolving consumer expectations. Companies across Atlanta and the broader Southeast rely on experienced executives who understand how to scale restaurant brands, manage multi-unit operations, and lead teams across geographically distributed systems.
Wray Executive Search partners with restaurant brands, franchise organizations, and food-service companies seeking proven executives who can drive operational excellence and long-term growth. As restaurant executive recruiters serving Atlanta, our firm specializes in identifying leaders who bring operational expertise, strategic insight, and cultural alignment to the organizations they serve.
With decades of experience in restaurant and hospitality executive search, Wray works closely with companies seeking to strengthen leadership teams and position their brands for sustained success. From emerging restaurant concepts to global franchise organizations, clients rely on Wray Executive Search to identify leaders capable of guiding organizations through growth, transformation, and leadership transition.
Proudly Serving the Restaurant Industry’s Leading Brands
Atlanta as a Hub for Restaurant and Franchise Growth
Atlanta has become one of the most important markets in the United States for franchise and restaurant leadership. The region is home to major restaurant brands, franchise systems, and multi-brand operators that oversee thousands of locations across North America and internationally.
Companies such as Chick-fil-A and Inspire Brands have helped position Atlanta as a center of gravity for franchise innovation and restaurant brand management. These organizations require leadership teams capable of balancing operational performance, franchisee relationships, brand growth, and evolving customer expectations.
As restaurant brands expand throughout the Southeast and beyond, leadership teams must guide organizations through complex operational challenges including workforce development, technology adoption, supply chain management, and franchise system growth.
Wray Executive Search supports restaurant and franchise companies across Atlanta by connecting them with executives who understand the realities of leading restaurant brands at scale. Our firm’s specialization in restaurant and franchise executive search allows us to identify candidates who bring both operational credibility and strategic leadership to executive roles.
Executive Roles We Recruit for Restaurant and Franchise Companies
Wray Executive Search conducts restaurant executive search and franchise executive search engagements in Atlanta for a wide range of leadership roles.
Common placements include:
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Vice President of Operations
Vice President of Franchise Development
Vice President of Supply Chain
Vice President of Culinary or Food Innovation
Vice President of Human Resources
Restaurant companies rely on leaders who can manage multi-unit operations, drive franchise growth, maintain brand standards, and deliver strong financial performance. Our focused experience in the restaurant industry allows us to identify executives who understand these challenges and can immediately contribute to organizational success.
As restaurant executive recruiters Atlanta companies trust, Wray Executive Search maintains relationships with proven leaders across the restaurant, franchise, and food-service sectors.
The Wray Advantage
Why Restaurant & Franchise Brands Partner with Wray Executive Search
6 Points of Distinction
-
Our Leadership
Our leading consultants bring substantial senior-level experience.
-
Wide Scope
Wray Executive Search offers a wide scope of industry knowledge and experience. We provide a wide array of services and have an extensive network in these arenas.
-
Impactful Expertise
The cross-functional, wide-reaching expertise our company provides can have a deep impact on your business. We serve client needs internationally, nationally, regionally and locally.
-
Unique Guarantees
We offer a full one-year replacement guarantee ensuring that our candidates will bring value long term. If, for some reason, the hired candidate does not work out, we will find a replacement.
-
Diverse Consultants
Our consultants bring varied experience from all segments of the industry. We offer broad-based, cross-functional expertise to enhance our partnership.
-
Competitive, Comprehensive Rates
There are no surprises when it comes to our fees. We maintain highly competitive performance-based rates founded upon our robust executive search record.
Our Team
-
![]()
Kevin Stockslager
Managing Partner
-
![]()
Ray Kelley
Managing Partner
-
![]()
Rebecca Patt
SVP & Partner
-
![]()
Bob Gershberg
Executive Advisor
-
![]()
Joe Radice
Advisor
-
![]()
Monica da la Nuez
Vice President
A National Network of Restaurant Executive Talent
While many organizations begin their search locally, the strongest executive candidate is often identified through a broader national network.
Wray Executive Search conducts nationwide searches for restaurant and franchise companies across Atlanta, Georgia, and the United States. Our industry specialization allows us to connect organizations with leaders from top restaurant brands, emerging concepts, and multi-brand operators.
By combining deep industry expertise with a national executive network, Wray Executive Search helps restaurant organizations identify leaders capable of driving operational excellence and long-term growth.
Build Your Leadership Team with Wray Executive Search
Hiring the right executive leader is one of the most important decisions a restaurant organization will make. The right leadership team can strengthen operations, accelerate growth, and position a brand for long-term success.
Wray Executive Search helps restaurant and franchise companies in Atlanta identify leaders who bring the experience, strategic perspective, and operational expertise needed to lead organizations into their next chapter.
If you are looking to be considered for opportunities, go to our candidate page and submit your resume.