Restaurant Executive Recruiters Serving Chicago
Executive Search for Restaurant and Franchise Leaders in Chicago
The restaurant and franchise industry demands leaders who can manage complex operations, guide brand growth, and adapt to changing consumer expectations. Companies across Chicago and the broader Midwest rely on experienced executives who understand the operational realities of the restaurant business and the strategic leadership required to scale multi-unit brands.
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 Chicago, 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
Chicago as a Hub for Restaurant and Franchise Growth
Chicago has long served as one of the most important markets in the United States for restaurant leadership and corporate brand management. The region is home to major restaurant headquarters and influential food-service organizations that oversee thousands of locations across the country.
Global brands such as McDonald's and fast-growing restaurant companies like Portillo's have helped establish Chicago as a center of innovation in restaurant operations, marketing, supply chain strategy, and franchise development.
Because of this concentration of restaurant leadership, organizations in Chicago frequently require executives capable of managing complex operational systems, supporting franchise expansion, and maintaining brand consistency across large networks of locations.
Wray Executive Search works with restaurant and franchise companies throughout Chicago and the Midwest to identify leaders who bring both operational discipline and strategic perspective to executive roles. Our specialization in restaurant and franchise executive search allows us to connect companies with candidates who understand the unique challenges of leading restaurant brands at scale.
Executive Roles We Recruit for Restaurant and Franchise Companies
Wray Executive Search conducts restaurant executive search and franchise executive search engagements in Chicago 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 Chicago 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
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Our Leadership
Our leading consultants bring substantial senior-level experience.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Diverse Consultants
Our consultants bring varied experience from all segments of the industry. We offer broad-based, cross-functional expertise to enhance our partnership.
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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
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Kevin Stockslager
Managing Partner
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Ray Kelley
Managing Partner
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Rebecca Patt
SVP & Partner
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Bob Gershberg
Executive Advisor
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Joe Radice
Advisor
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Monica da la Nuez
Vice President
A National Network of Restaurant Executive Talent
Although many organizations begin their leadership search locally, the strongest candidate is often identified through a broader national network of restaurant executives.
Wray Executive Search conducts nationwide searches for restaurant and franchise companies across Chicago, Illinois, and the United States. Our deep industry specialization allows us to connect organizations with executives from leading restaurant brands, emerging concepts, and multi-brand operators who bring valuable experience to executive leadership roles.
By combining national reach with focused restaurant industry expertise, Wray Executive Search helps companies identify leaders capable of driving operational excellence and long-term brand 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 Chicago 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.