Executive Movements - July 2026 — Wray Executive Search

Jack Hartung Joins Wonder’s Board of Directors

07/13/2026

Industry Veteran Brings Decades of Financial and Strategic Leadership

NEW YORK — July 13, 2026 — Wonder, a leading food technology platform, today announced that Jack Hartung, former Chief Financial Officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill, has joined its Board of Directors.

Hartung brings more than four decades of experience leading finance, strategy, and operations at some of the world's most recognized restaurant companies. During his nearly 25-year tenure at Chipotle, he helped guide the company's evolution from an emerging restaurant chain into one of the industry's most successful public companies. Over that period, Chipotle grew from fewer than 200 restaurants to more than 3,500, expanded its digital business, and delivered sustained shareholder value.

"Jack is one of the most respected leaders in the restaurant industry, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Wonder’s Board,” said Marc Lore, Founder and CEO of Wonder. “His experience building a high-performing public company, allocating capital, and scaling operations will be invaluable as Wonder becomes IPO-ready.”

“I've dedicated my career to working with leaders and teams to build enduring brands and strong businesses, through disciplined execution and compelling investments,” said Jack Hartung, Director, Wonder. “Wonder has built a category-defining business at the intersection of food and technology, with a model that pairs exceptional restaurants and unmatched convenience with real scalability. I'm excited to join the Board and help the company execute on its long-term vision.”

Prior to Chipotle, Hartung spent nearly two decades at McDonald’s Corporation, where he held a variety of finance leadership roles. He currently serves on the boards of Tesla, Portillo's, The Honest Company, and Zocdoc, bringing broad experience advising high-growth consumer and technology businesses.

About Wonder

Wonder is a food technology platform built to make great food more accessible. From recipe development to kitchen robotics and autonomous delivery, Wonder owns mealtime from end to end, bringing a level of consistency, quality, and speed to new geographies and at price points unattainable by traditional restaurants and delivery platforms. With more than 130 locations in 11 states, Wonder offers in-house and chef-created concepts, iconic restaurant brands, local restaurants, and at-home meal kits in one seamless customer experience. With a portfolio spanning Grubhub, Blue Apron, Tastemade, Spyce Robotics, and iconic restaurant brands like Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken and Mighty Quinn’s, Wonder is uniquely positioned to acquire, host, and scale restaurant content with the aim of becoming the world's first choice for every meal. To learn more, visit the Wonder Newsroom.

View source version at Wonder

&pizza’s parent company hires CEO

James O’Reilly, former CEO of Ascent Hospitality, joined Latitude Food Group two months after Mike Burns left to lead another chain.

Published July 13, 2026

Aneurin Canham-Clyne Reporter

Dive Brief:

Latitude Food Group, the parent company of &pizza and Tijuana Flats, has hired James O’Reilly as CEO, according to an emailed press release.
O’Reilly, who previously served as CEO of Ascent Hospitality, the parent company of Perkins and Huddle House, will “focus on amplifying momentum, driving disciplined growth and protecting the soul, distinct identity and guest connection that give each brand its edge,” the press release stated.
The company’s two brands are seeing increased traction with consumers, including increased traffic and same-store sales, according to the press release. As CEO, O’Reilly’s task will be to convert that sales success into franchise growth.

Dive Insight:

O’Reilly brings considerable experience to the two chains. In addition to his tenure at Ascent, O’Reilly led Smokey Bones and Long John Silver’s as CEO, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also worked as chief marketing officer for Sonic Drive-In and KFC U.S.A.

O’Reilly succeeds Mike Burns, who left Latitude in May to lead Cafe Rio through a brand turnaround. Under Burns, &pizza launched a franchising program and bought Tijuana Flats following its bankruptcy. Alongside the acquisition, &pizza established Latitude Food Group as the holding company of the two brands.

After Burns’ departure, Latitude was led by its general counsel, Cody Towns, on an interim basis, according to the press release. Towns said the CEO search prioritized looking for a leader who was committed to strategic continuity for the chains.

Under O’Reilly, Latitude will leverage franchising as its main growth engine. O’Reilly said he was drawn to Latitude’s “challenger mindset, its relentless focus on growth and its commitment to scaling brands without losing the soul that makes each one distinct.”

View source version at Latitude Food Group

**Denny’s Names Aaron Howard Chief Operating Officer**

July 9, 2026

Proven restaurant operator joins Denny’s to strengthen field execution, improve guest experience and drive performance across the franchise system

Spartanburg, SC (RestaurantNews.com) Denny’s Corp. has appointed Aaron Howard as Chief Operating Officer, bringing a proven restaurant operator into the business as the brand sharpens its focus on execution, guest experience, profitable traffic and stronger restaurant-level performance across the franchise system.

Howard joins Denny’s with decades of operating leadership across some of the restaurant industry’s most recognized brands, including CKE Restaurants, Cracker Barrel and RGS, parent company of O’Charley’s and 99 Restaurants. Across those systems, he has led field operations, built accountable teams, supported operators and improved the daily execution that drives guest satisfaction, repeat visits, stronger unit economics and sustainable performance.

“Aaron is an operator,” said Chris Bode, President and Chief Executive Officer of Denny’s. “He understands how performance is created in the field, inside restaurants and through teams that are clear, supported and accountable. His focus will be where performance is won or lost: in the restaurants, with operators and teams, and in the guest experience that brings people back. As we continue to strengthen value, relevance, profitable traffic and restaurant-level profitability, Aaron’s leadership will be critical to how we raise execution across the franchise system.”

Howard joins Denny’s at a pivotal moment as the company advances Project Grand Slam, its focused operating agenda built around the highest-impact opportunities in the business, including new food innovation, value, catering, third-party growth, facilities modernization, profitable traffic and restaurant execution. The work is designed to bring greater speed, discipline, and accountability to the areas that can create stronger performance for franchisees and the brand.

“Denny’s is one of the few brands in American dining with this kind of heritage, reach and emotional connection with guests,” said Howard. “What attracted me to this role is the opportunity to get close to the restaurants, work with operators and teams, and help improve the execution guests feel every day. Strong restaurants are built through consistency, discipline, and care. That is the work I am here to help drive.”

Howard will oversee operations across the Denny’s franchise system.

About Denny’s Corp.

Denny’s is a Spartanburg, S.C.-based family dining restaurant brand that has been welcoming guests to our booths for more than 70 years. Our guiding principle is simple: We love to feed people. Denny’s provides craveable meals at a meaningful value across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. Whether it’s at our brick-and-mortar locations, via Denny’s on Demand (the first delivery platform in the family dining segment), or at The Meltdown, Banda Burrito, and The Burger Den, our three virtual restaurant concepts, Denny’s is ready to delight guests whenever and however they want to order.

Our longstanding commitment to supporting our local communities in need is brought to life with our Mobile Relief Diner (that delivers hot meals to our neighbors during times of disaster), Denny’s Hungry for Education™ scholarship program, our annual fundraiser with long-time-partner No Kid Hungry, and our new partnership supporting Cookies for Kids’ Cancer in their mission to fund research for new, improved and less toxic treatments for kids facing cancer.

Denny’s is one of the largest franchised full-service restaurant brands in the world, based on the number of restaurants. As of September 24, 2025, the Denny’s brand consisted of 1,459 global restaurants, 1,397 of which were franchised and licensed restaurants and 62 of which were company-operated. This includes 166 restaurants in Canada, Costa Rica, Curacao, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

To learn more about Denny’s, please visit our brand website at Dennys.com or the brand’s social channels via Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or YouTube.

View source version at Denny’s

International Dairy Queen Hires Phil Crawford as Chief Technology Officer

Jul 7, 2026 10:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Crawford brings 20 years experience leading IT and technology for restaurant brandsincluding Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, Shake Shack and Yard House.

Phil Crawford, executive vice president and chief technology officer at International Dairy Queen.

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--International Dairy Queen, Inc. (IDQ) today announced Phil Crawford joined the company as executive vice president and chief technology officer, reporting to the president and CEO. He leads IT and retail technology for the company and its more than 7,800 DQ® restaurants worldwide.

“Technology plays an increasingly critical role in empowering our business for our employees, franchisees and fans,” said Troy Bader, president and CEO at International Dairy Queen. “Phil’s proven success as a restaurant business and technology leader positions us for continued growth as we live our mission of creating positive memories for all who touch DQ.”

“The iconic Dairy Queen® brand has a powerful legacy I admire, and I respect the team’s recent commitment to technological innovation and digital capabilities,” said Phil Crawford, executive vice president and chief technology officer at International Dairy Queen. “I am excited to lead the next chapter of the company’s technology strategy that builds a truly unified, scalable commerce ecosystem. Our goal will be to deepen consumer engagement and deliver exceptional experiences–whether our fans are ordering at drive thru, via delivery, in restaurant or through our digital platforms.”

Prior to joining IDQ, Crawford led the global food, beverage and hospitality verticals at Adyen N.V. He also held CIO or CTO roles at CKE Restaurants, owners of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s,; Godiva Chocolatier; Shake Shack; and Yard House Restaurants.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northern Arizona University, an MBA from the University of Phoenix and completed the Harvard Business Analytics Program at Harvard University. Crawford lends his expertise to industry advisory boards including active roles with EveryBite, Bite and Fresh Technology and past advisory roles at Olo and PAR/Punchh.

Crawford will office from the IDQ global franchisee support center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He succeeds Kevin Baartman who is retiring later this year.

About International Dairy Queen, Inc.

International Dairy Queen, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the parent company of American Dairy Queen Corporation and Dairy Queen Canada, Inc. Through its subsidiaries, IDQ develops, licenses and services a system of more than 7,800 DQ restaurants in more than 20 countries. IDQ is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. For more information, visit DairyQueen.com.

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Firebirds Wood Fired Grill Names Florence Ho Chief Marketing Officer

Jul 7, 2026 9:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Firebirds Wood Fired Grill (“Firebirds”), the award-winning, polished-casual American restaurant and steakhouse, today announced the appointment of Florence Ho as the Company’s new Chief Marketing Officer, effective July 7. Ms. Ho brings more than 25 years of marketing leadership to Firebirds, with a track record of driving meaningful business growth for both emerging and well-established hospitality, lifestyle, and consumer brands.

“I’m delighted to welcome Florence to the Firebirds team at a pivotal moment as we continue our growth nationally,” said Steve Kislow, Chief Executive Officer, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. “Florence brings a combination of creativity, analytical insight, and hands-on marketing leadership that will be instrumental as we continue to grow the Firebirds brand and deepen our connection with guests. Her track record of building high-performing marketing teams and driving measurable results makes her the right leader to take Firebirds’ marketing efforts to the next level, including evolving our Inner Circle program into a best-in-class loyalty experience for our guests.”

Ms. Ho most recently served as Senior Vice President of Marketing, Loyalty and Customer Experience at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants, where she played a key role in brand-building during a period of rapid expansion that more than doubled the concept’s unit count. Over more than six years, Ms. Ho built the company’s digital marketing program from the ground up and successfully enhanced loyalty and CRM programming for Cooper’s Hawk, growing its namesake Wine Club membership by more than 1.5x and significantly strengthening its social media presence, while delivering industry-leading Net Promoter Scores.

“Firebirds is a beloved restaurant brand defined by craft, hospitality, and an exceptional guest experience that keeps people coming back,” said Ms. Ho. “What excites me most about joining Firebirds is the opportunity to combine its fiery brand heritage with modern, data-driven marketing to grow broader awareness of the concept and create meaningful and lasting relationships with our guests. I look forward to partnering with Steve and the entire leadership team to write the next chapter in Firebirds’ story.”

Prior to her role at Cooper’s Hawk, Ms. Ho spent a decade at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, where she held senior marketing and loyalty leadership roles across a portfolio of more than 20 brands at scale. She has also served in marketing and analytics leadership positions at well-known brands including Mercedes-Benz USA, Kraft Foods, and Gartner. Ms. Ho holds a PhD in Economics from the City University of New York and a Bachelor of Arts, Economics from the College of William & Mary.

Ms. Ho’s appointment comes as Firebirds continues to expand its national footprint. The brand currently has 71 restaurants across 23 states and plans to open five more locations across markets in 2026.

About Firebirds Wood Fired Grill Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is a privately owned polished casual American restaurant concept offering an energetic twist on the traditional grill, featuring a boldly flavored menu in an elevated, fire-centric atmosphere. Signature menu items include hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood seared over locally sourced hickory, oak or pecan wood on Firebirds’ exposed wood-fired grill. Complementing its inviting dining room, guests will find the award-winning FIREBAR® and a full-service patio with seasonal comforts. Firebirds partners with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation year-round, having raised nearly $5 million for childhood cancer research through the sale of fresh-squeezed lemonade. Firebirds was named one of 10 ‘Breakout Brands’ by Nation’s Restaurant News and was awarded the Diners’ Choice Winner by OpenTable. Visit firebirdsrestaurants.com to become a member of Firebirds’ Inner Circle, make an OpenTable reservation or order online.

View source version at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

Papa Johns Announces CFO Transition

Jun 30, 2026 4:31 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Chris Collins, SVP, Corporate Finance and Principal Accounting Officer, Appointed Interim CFO

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Papa John’s International, Inc. (Nasdaq: PZZA) (“Papa Johns”) (the “Company”) today announced that Chris Collins, Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance and Principal Accounting Officer, has been appointed to the additional position of interim Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Collins succeeds Ravi Thanawala, who is leaving Papa Johns to assume a chief financial officer position at another public company. Thanawala will be available to Papa Johns in an advisory capacity until July 31, 2026, to support a smooth transition. Papa Johns has commenced a search for a permanent Chief Financial Officer.

Collins is a seasoned finance professional with more than 30 years of experience leading finance functions at public companies in the United States and internationally. He joined Papa Johns as Vice President, Treasury and Tax in April 2021 and previously served as the Company’s interim Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer from March 2023 until July 2023. From July 2023 to July 2025, Collins served as Vice President of Finance - Treasury, Tax, and International Business Segment. He was appointed Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance and Principal Accounting Officer in July 2025. Prior to joining Papa Johns, Collins served as the Vice President, Treasury at Signet Jewelers from 2019 until 2020. Prior to 2019, he held several financial leadership roles with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in the United States and Europe, and with American Axle & Manufacturing.

“Chris is a proven finance leader with deep knowledge of the Company and the opportunities we are pursuing to maximize shareholder value and position Papa Johns for its greatest success as the best pizza makers in the business,” said Todd Penegor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Papa Johns. “I am confident that Chris’s support in this interim role along with our talented team will enable continued execution on our transformation priorities.”

“I look forward to working closely with Todd and the Papa Johns Executive Leadership Team to further drive operating efficiencies, optimize the Company’s fleet and strengthen the Papa Johns brand,” said Chris Collins.

Penegor continued, “On behalf of the Papa Johns team, I want to thank Ravi for his leadership and contributions to the Company. He has been a valued colleague, and we wish him all the best in his next chapter.”

In connection with Thanawala’s departure, Marc Richard, Senior Vice President of North America Operations, has assumed responsibility for all North America operations, including those previously overseen by Thanawala in his role as President.

Separately, Papa Johns will release its second quarter financial results before the market opens on Thursday, August 6, 2026, with a conference call to follow at 8:00 a.m. ET.

Participants on the call will include Todd Penegor, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Collins, interim Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President of Corporate Finance and Principal Accounting Officer, and Heather Hollander, SVP Strategy, Investor Relations, and Financial Planning and Analysis.

To listen to the webcast, participants should register online at https://ir.papajohns.com/news-events/ir-calendar. Participants are requested to register a day in advance or at least a minimum 15 minutes before the start of the call. A replay of the webcast will be available approximately two hours after the call and archived on the same web page.

About Papa Johns

Papa John’s International, Inc. (Nasdaq: PZZA) opened its doors in 1984 with one goal in mind: BETTER INGREDIENTS. BETTER PIZZA.® Papa Johns believes that using high-quality ingredients leads to superior quality pizzas. Its original dough is made of only six ingredients and is fresh, never frozen. Papa Johns tops its pizzas with real cheese made from mozzarella, pizza sauce made with vine-ripened tomatoes that go from vine to can in the same day and meat free of fillers. It was the first national pizza delivery chain to announce the removal of artificial flavors and synthetic colors from its entire food menu. Papa Johns is co-headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. and Louisville, Ky. and is the world’s third-largest pizza delivery company with more than 6,000 restaurants in approximately 50 countries and territories. For more information about the Company or to order pizza online, visit www.papajohns.com or download the Papa Johns mobile app for iOS or Android.

View source version at Papa Johns

SPB Hospitality Welcomes Back Restaurant Development Veteran Keith Wheaton

June 30, 2026

Former J. Alexander’s leader returns to support portfolio growth and long-term development strategy

Nashville, TN (RestaurantNews.com) SPB Hospitality has appointed Keith Wheaton as Senior Vice President of Construction, bringing back a former leader from J. Alexander’s, one of the company’s flagship upscale casual restaurant brands. He returns as SPB continues to build the leadership team supporting growth across its portfolio of restaurant brands.

Wheaton joined SPB on June 22 and will oversee construction initiatives across its restaurant portfolio, including J. Alexander’s, Stoney River Steakhouse & Grill and several concepts from Chef Jose Garces, including Amada and Village Whiskey. He brings more than two decades of restaurant industry experience, including leadership roles with On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, Captain D’s and J. Alexander’s.

“Restaurant growth gets a lot of attention, but it only happens when the people, systems and standards are in place to support it,” said G.J. Hart, CEO of SPB Hospitality. “Keith understands that better than most because he’s seen this brand from the inside. He knows what our restaurants are supposed to feel like, how they’re supposed to operate and what it takes to execute consistently. That’s incredibly valuable as we continue to grow.”

The appointment comes as SPB continues to execute its operator-first Playbook, a three-year strategy focused on disciplined growth, operational excellence and empowering restaurant leaders. Within the portfolio, J. Alexander’s has emerged as a key growth vehicle, with multiple new restaurant openings planned over the next two years through a deliberate, market-by-market expansion strategy.

Wheaton’s familiarity with the J. Alexander’s brand and development model positions him to help support that growth while maintaining the standards and guest experience that have defined the concept.

“I’ve spent most of my career in restaurant brands where the details matter. Guests may never think about construction, facilities or development, but those decisions shape everything from the first impression of a restaurant to how effectively teams can operate inside it,” said Wheaton. “What drew me back to SPB Hospitality was the opportunity to help preserve what people already value about these brands while supporting the next phase of growth.”

The hire also reflects the company’s broader philosophy of building for the future while drawing on the experience and institutional knowledge that helped shape its strongest brands.

“Part of our strategy is recognizing what has worked and building from that foundation,” Hart said. “Keith understands where we’ve been, where we’re going and what it takes to get there.”

About SPB Hospitality

SPB Hospitality operates a diverse portfolio of full-service dining restaurants across 25 states. Its collection of brands includes J. Alexander’s, Stoney River Steakhouse & Grill, Chef Jose Garces’ Amada, Village Whiskey, Okatshe, Rosa Blanca and Mesa Y Co. SPB Hospitality is a portfolio company of Fortress Investment Group. Visit SPBHospitality.com to learn more.

About Fortress Investment Group LLC

Fortress Investment Group LLC is a leading, highly diversified global investment manager. Founded in 1998, Fortress manages $49 billion of assets under management as of September 30, 2024, on behalf of over 2,000 institutional clients and private investors worldwide across a range of credit and real estate, private equity and permanent capital investment strategies. To learn more, visit Fortress.com.

View source version at SPB Hospitality

Pollo Campero Names Karla Patino Vice President of US Marketing And Sales

Jun 29, 2026, 15:42 ET

QSR marketing leader brings nearly 20 years of brand-building expertise across Latin America and U.S.

DALLAS, June 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pollo Campero, the Guatemalan-born fast-casual restaurant known for its delicious fried and roasted chicken, has appointed Karla Patino as vice president of marketing and sales.

In this role, Patino leads marketing and sales strategy for Campero USA, with a focus on deepening Pollo Campero's connection with U.S. Hispanic consumers and driving continued growth. Her appointment comes as Pollo Campero grows beyond 150 U.S. restaurants and works toward 250 U.S. locations by 2030.

Patino joins Pollo Campero after nearly 20 years in brand marketing. She has held leadership roles with some of the industry's most recognizable QSR brands, including Taco Bell, KFC, Burger King, Chipotle and Subway.

Most recently, Patino served as chief marketing officer for Taco Bell Latin America, where she led the region's first-ever international artist partnership, a Taco Tuesday campaign with Latin music star Myke Towers. Earlier in her tenure at Yum!, she spearheaded market turnarounds for KFC across Colombia, Costa Rica and Brazil, built the sandwich category as a meaningful growth driver for the brand and led the opening of Taco Bell in Ecuador.

Appointment Supports Pollo Campero's U.S. Growth and Hispanic Consumer Strategy

"Karla joins our company at a pivotal moment as we leverage our rich heritage and deeply rooted community story to expand our U.S. presence and look to become the most beloved chicken brand for the communities we serve," said Campero USA Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer Luis Javier Rodas. "She has made a name for herself not only for her strategic instincts but for her ability to build and inspire high-performing teams. She brings a people-first leadership philosophy rooted in a belief that genuine human connection is what builds lasting brand loyalty."

Born in Venezuela and raised between Venezuela and Brazil, Patino studied advertising at the Universidade de Brasilia and earned her MBA in Marketing from Fundação Getulio Vargas in Brazil before moving to the U.S. in 2014.

"My ultimate goal is to make Pollo Campero the most-loved brand for the U.S. Hispanic community," said Patino. "I'm a proud immigrant who knows what it means to carry your culture with you everywhere you go. Working for a brand built by a family, for a community, and being part of the team that gets to continue to grow it in the U.S. feels deeply personal and a full-circle moment."

About Campero USAPollo Campero has been called a "national treasure of Guatemala and El Salvador" and is famous for its delicious fried and roasted chicken made from family recipes passed down from generation to generation, along with chicken sandwiches, empanadas and Campero nuggets, plus unique sides like sweet plantains and yuca fries.

With more than 150 U.S. locations, the brand is on track to expand its U.S. footprint to 250 locations by 2030, meeting rising consumer demand for its signature flavors while preserving the deep-rooted culinary traditions of its Guatemalan founding family.

For more information, visit us.campero.com.

About CMI Pollo CamperoPollo Campero, a flagship brand of Corporación Multi Inversiones (CMI), has defined the regional chicken market for over 55 years. Since its 1971 founding in Guatemala by Dionisio Gutiérrez G., the brand has grown from a local favorite into a global powerhouse, serving over 80 million customers annually with its traditional flavor and excellent service. Today, Pollo Campero operates more than 350 restaurants across Guatemala, El Salvador, the United States, Mexico, Honduras and Ecuador. With a dedicated workforce of 8,000 employees, the brand remains a cornerstone of CMI Foods. Beyond the kitchen, Pollo Campero is committed to social impact. The Campero Institute has provided educational opportunities to employees for 30 years, while the Gran Rifa Únete a AYUVI has supported children with cancer for over two decades. Pollo Campero has also partnered with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital since 2018, supporting its lifesaving mission for nearly 10 years. As a cultural icon of Hispanic gastronomy, Pollo Campero continues to bring its unique flavor to families worldwide. For more information, visit www.campero.com.

View source version at Pollo Campero

June 24, 2026

Cirulis to Succeed Ken Cook Effective June 23

Dublin, OH (RestaurantNews.com) The Wendy’s Company (Nasdaq: WEN) has announced the appointment of Steve Cirulis as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, effective June 23, 2026. He will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Wright and serve on Wendy’s Senior Leadership Team. Cirulis will succeed Ken Cook, who has served as Chief Financial Officer since 2024 and will remain in an advisory position through July to facilitate a smooth transition.

Cirulis most recently served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer for Potbelly Sandwich Works, where he led all financial, strategy, analytics and risk management functions. While at Potbelly, he partnered with our current CEO, Bob Wright, to lead a company and brand turnaround that, over their tenure, experienced a more than 500% increase in share price, double-digit growth in average unit volumes, substantial restaurant margin expansion and robust improvement in return on invested capital. Prior to Potbelly, Cirulis held senior strategy and finance roles at global restaurant and retail brands including Panera Bread, McDonald’s, and Gap, Inc. In total, he has spent nearly 30 years with leading brands and consultancies across the food, beverage, retail and restaurant spaces.

“Driving solid financial discipline, topline growth and enhanced franchisee profitability are essential to our future success,” said President and CEO Bob Wright. “I am confident that Steve will play a critical role as we execute the turnaround of Wendy’s, driving growth and generating value for our franchisees, employees and shareholders. With decades of deep experience across large-scale retail and restaurant brands, Steve brings a wealth of expertise across a breadth of disciplines that will benefit our system from day one.”

“It is an honor to join this iconic brand at such a pivotal time in its history,” said Steve Cirulis. “I believe there is a tremendous opportunity at Wendy’s to drive topline growth, franchisee profitability and improved shareholder value, and I am eager to get to work with our talented employees and franchisees to unlock the potential of our entire system.”

Wright continued, “I also want to thank Ken Cook for his contributions to our system. Ken was a steadfast leader at a critical time of change for Wendy’s, and I wish him well in his next chapter beyond Wendy’s.”

Chairman of the Board Art Winkleblack added, “The Board is grateful for Ken Cook’s impact on Wendy’s, serving as both CFO and Interim CEO in his tenure. Under his leadership, Wendy’s established the Project Fresh strategy, which was an instrumental start to the brand’s turnaround.”

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain statements that are not historical facts, including statements regarding our anticipated future performance and growth. Those statements constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”). The forward-looking statements are based on our expectations at the time such statements are made, speak only as of the dates they are made and are susceptible to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, the factors identified in the “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Projections” and “Risk Factors” sections of our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For all forward-looking statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Reform Act.

About Wendy’s

The Wendy’s Company (Nasdaq: WEN) and Wendy’s® franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide. Founded in 1969, Wendy’s is committed to the promise of Fresh Famous Food, Made Right, For You, delivered to customers through its craveable menu including made-to-order square hamburgers using fresh beef*, and fan favorites like the Spicy Chicken Sandwich and nuggets, Baconator®, and the Frosty® dessert. Wendy’s supports the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption®, established by its founder, which seeks to dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster care system. Learn more about Wendy’s at Wendys.com. For details on franchising, visit Wendys.com/franchising. Connect with Wendy’s on X, Instagram and Facebook.

View source version at Wendy’s

Allison Copeland Donnelly Promoted to President of Restaurant Division at Al Copeland Investments

June 24, 2026

Third-generation leadership honors the legacy of founder Al Copeland Sr.

New Orleans, LA (RestaurantNews.com) Al Copeland Investments (ACI) and Chairman & CEO, Al Copeland Jr. announce the promotion of Allison Copeland Donnelly to President of the company’s restaurant division, recognizing her leadership, operational expertise and long-standing commitment to the family-owned business.

Donnelly has been part of ACI for decades, beginning her career at age 15 working in the family’s restaurants. After graduating from the University of New Orleans in hospitality management, she was working in the company’s hotel division when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast region.

Donnelly stepped in to support the restaurant division’s human resources team in critical post-Katrina staffing efforts. The experience shaped her career in hospitality leadership – sparking a lifelong passion for nurturing and empowering employees and a love of the restaurant business.

Previously serving as Senior VP of the restaurant division, in her new role as President, Donnelly will oversee operations across ACI’s restaurants portfolio of brands, including Copeland’s of New Orleans, Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro, Mirepoix Event Catering and Nolé special event venue.

Throughout her tenure, Donnelly has helped drive the company’s growth through innovation and a people-first culture. She is known for her collaborative leadership style and focus on mentoring team members and advancing talent from within.

“I’ve grown up in this business and had the privilege to learn every part of it,” said Donnelly. “As president, my focus is on evolving our restaurant division and elevating the hospitality experience while staying grounded in what sets us apart: strong teams, internal development, consistent execution, exceptional food and a genuine connection to our guests and community. That balance will continue to drive our next phase of growth and our promise of ‘Flavor You Can Feel. Roots You Can Trust.”

Led by Chairman & CEO, Al Copeland Jr., ACI is a privately owned, multi-faceted management company overseeing the Al Copeland Family of Restaurants, Diversified Foods & Seasonings, a hotel division in the metro New Orleans area, Copeland Tower Living retirement community and the philanthropic efforts of the Al Copeland Foundation (ACF).

Founded by the renowned restaurateur Al Copeland Sr., who launched Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken in 1972 and opened the first Copeland’s of New Orleans in 1983, Al Copeland Investments (ACI) continues to shape the future of the food, hospitality and lifestyle industries.

Our diverse portfolio includes:

Copeland’s of New Orleans, Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro and Mirepoix Event Catering – delivering award-winning, Louisiana-inspired cuisine.
Nolé special event venue – a premier New Orleans event space for unforgettable gatherings.
Copeland Tower Living & Hotel Division – offering all-inclusive luxury residential experiences and managing top-tier hotels, including Best Western French Quarter and Comfort Inn & Suites.
Diversified Foods & Seasonings – a leader in high-quality food manufacturing, providing flavor solutions for restaurants and retail.

Al Copeland Investments remains committed to culinary innovation, quality and genuine Southern hospitality across all divisions.

View source version at Al Copeland Investments

Executive Movements - July 2026