JANUARY
GREG BRENNEMAN was appointed president and chief executive of Denver-based Quiznos, succeeding Rich Schaden, who is now chairman. Brenneman was previously chairman and chief executive of Burger King Corp., based in Miami.
BILL MORETON resigned as president and chief financial officer of Potbelly Sandwich Works, citing family medical issues.
FEBRUARY
DOUG MACDONALD was named president of Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza, succeeding Jim Treliving, who remains chairman of parent company Boston Pizza Restaurants LP, based in Dallas.
RON MAGRUDER was named president and chief executive of Canadian multibrand operator Pizza Delight Corp. Ltd., based in Moncton, New Brunswick. He replaces Bernard Imbeault.
COLLEEN MCSHANE resigned as president of the Illinois Restaurant Association.
ENRIQUE “RICK” SILVA was named president and chief executive of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants Inc., based in Tampa, Fla. He succeeds Keith Sirois, who retired as chief executive but remains chairman emeritus.
BARRY SIMS was promoted to president of Taco John’s International, based in Cheyenne, Wyo. Sims succeeds Paul Fisherkeller, who is chief executive and chairman.
DAN SMITH was named president of Hot Dog on a Stick, based in Carlsbad, Calif., replacing Fredrica Thode, who died in January.
MARCH
STARLETTE JOHNSON was named president and chief operating officer of Dave & Busters Inc., based in Dallas, replacing chain co-founder David Corriveau, who resigned.
STEPHEN JUDGE was named president of the Seasons 52 brand of Orlando, Fla.-based Darden Restaurants Inc., replacing co-developer Blaine Sweatt, who retired.
KEN KEYMER resigned as chief executive of Atlanta-based AFC Enterprises, parent to the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits chain, to move to Vicorp Restaurants Inc., based in Denver, as chief executive. At Vicorp, Keymer replaced Debra Koenig.
APRIL
JUAN GARCIA was named president of Miami-based Benihana Inc., succeeding Joel Schwartz, who remains chairman and chief executive.
STEVE HEYER resigned as chief executive of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., based in White Plains, N.Y., after a dispute with the board. Chairman Bruce Duncan was named interim chief executive.
BLAKE RUDMAN was named president of Pink Taco LLC, based in Los Angeles.
JEFF SMITH was named president of the Outback Steakhouse brand by parent OSI Restaurant Partners Inc., based in Tampa, Fla. Smith replaced Curt Glowacki, who left the company to return to his position as president and chief executive of Casa Ole parent Mexican Restaurants Inc., based in Dallas.
CLARICE TURNER was named president and chief operating officer of Papa Murphy’s International, based in Vancouver, Wash., replacing Mark Laramie.
MAY
RAY BLANCHETTE was named chief executive of Joe’s Crab Shack, which was acquired by JCS Holdings Inc. last year. Blanchette was previously president and chief operating officer of Pick Up Stix, a brand owned by Carlson Restaurants Worldwide.
JANE GROTE ABELL was named president of Donatos Pizza, based in Columbus, Ohio, replacing her father, founder Jim Grote.
LEE SANDERS was named chief executive of Lake Forest, Calif.-based Johnny Rockets, replacing Mike Shumsky, who left after the chain’s sale to RedZone Capital, based in Tyson’s Corner, Va.
JUNE
DAVID QUALLS, president and chief financial officer of Garden Fresh Restaurants Corp. in San Diego, announced plans to retire at the end of the year. He was succeeded by Ken Keane and Greg Keller as co-presidents.
JULY
MARC BUEHLER was named chief executive of Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon Inc., based in Wichita, Kan. Buehler was previously president and chief executive of Romacorp Inc., parent of the Tony Roma’s chain.
STEVE FRICKER was named president of Daphne’s Greek Café, based in San Diego, replacing founder and chief executive George Katakalidis, who wanted to focus more on strategic initiatives for expansion.
DAWN SWEENEY was named president and chief executive of the National Restaurant Association, effective Oct. 1. Sweeney, formerly president and chief executive of AARP Services Inc., succeeded Steven Anderson, who left in January to head the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.
AUGUST
KELLY BALTES was named chair and chief executive of Cheddar’s Casual Café, based in Irving,Texas, replacing Aubrey Good, who died in 2006.
RUSS BENDEL was named president and chief operating officer of The Cheesecake Factory Inc., based in Calabasas Hills, Calif., replacing Peter D’Amelio, who resigned in February for family reasons.
GREG BUCHANAN was named chief executive of Plano, Texas-based Buffet Partners Holding Co., operator of the Furr’s Fresh Buffet chain. Buchanan was previously president of La Madeleine Bakery Café & Bistro, based in Dallas.
PETER DUNN resigned as president and chief executive of Indianapolis-based Steak n Shake to pursue other opportunities. Chairman Alan Gilman became interim chief executive.
TIM O’SHEA was named chief operating officer of The Patina Group, based in New York. Previously, O’Shea was president and chief executive of Fresh Choice Restaurants in Newark, Calif.
TIM TAFT, chief executive of Pizza Inn, based in The Colony, Texas, resigned to pursue other interests. Charlie Morrison, chief financial officer, was named interim chief executive.
FRITS VAN PAASSCHEN was named chief executive of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., effective in September. The former president and chief executive of Coors Brewing Co., van Paasschen replaced interim chief executive Bruce Duncan, the company’s chairman.
SEPTEMBER
RICHARD “RICK”ARRAS succeeded Michael Andres as president and chief executive of Golden, Colo.-based Boston Market following the acquisition by Sun Capital Partners from McDonald’s Corp. Previously, Arras was chief executive and co-owner of O’Charley’s franchise operation Wi-Tenn Restaurants.
DAN BEEM was named president of Cold Stone Creamery, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., replacing Jim Flaum, who left to work in his family business, Teakwoods Tavern & Grill.
JEAN BIRCH stepped down as president of Romano’s Macaroni Grill and senior vice president of Brinker International, based in Dallas. John Reale was named interim president.
PATRICK CONNOLLY was named president and chief operating officer of Sodexho USA’s health care services division, replacing George Chanel, who was promoted to Sodexho president and chief executive after the retirement of Richard Macedonia.
DOUG DUCEY, former chief executive of Cold Stone Creamery, left the company a few months after the ice-cream franchise chain merged with Kahala Corp., based in Scottsdale,Ariz. He was replaced by Kahala founder Kevin Blackwell.
MIGUEL FERNANDEZ was named executive vice president and chief operating officer of Apple-Metro Inc., a franchise operation based in Harrison, N.Y.
SAM HADDOCK, formerly operations vice president of Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits, was named chief operating officer of J. Christopher’s, based in Atlanta.
DICK HOLBROOK, former president of the Popeyes chain, was named president of J. Christopher’s.
RANDY KIBLER was named chief executive of Charlotte, N.C.-based Bojangles’ Restaurants Inc., replacing Joe Drur y, co-owner, who sold his equity.
MICHAEL NAHKUNST was named chief operating officer of Columbus, Ohio-based Max & Erma’s, replacing Jim Howenstein, who became a regional vice president.
STEVE PHILLIPS, chief executive of Baltimore-based Phillips Foods and Seafood Restaurants, was also named president, replacing Mark Sneed, who died of a heart attack.
OCTOBER
TODD BARNUM, co-founder and chief executive of Max & Erma’s, relinquished his role to co-president Robert Lindeman to pursue strategic alternatives.
STEPHEN CALDEIRA was named executive vice president of global communications and chief public affairs officer for Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin’ Brands Inc.
NOVEMBER
MICHAEL COLES stepped down as chairman and chief executive of Caribou Coffee Co., based in Minneapolis. Rosalyn Mallet, president and chief operating officer, was named interim chief executive.
CLAY DOVER was promoted to president and chief executive of Metromedia Restaurant Group, based in Plano, Texas, succeeding Vince Runco, who resigned to pursue other opportunities.
CARL HOWARD stepped down as president and chief executive of Damon’s Grill, based in Columbus, Ohio, for personal reasons.
BRUCE MACDIARMID, chief operating officer of Black Angus Steakhouse, based in Los Altos, Calif., was also named president of the chain, replacing retiring president Ralph Roberts.
DECEMBER
STEPHEN LAYT was named chief operating officer of both Buffet Holdings and its subsidiary Buffets Inc., based in Eagan, Minn., a newly created position.
TIM PULIDO, former chief executive of Shakey’s Pizza, was named president of Mimi’s Café, based in Tustin, Calif. He replaces Russ Bendel, who became president and chief operating officer of The Cheesecake Factory Inc.
FRANK J. BELATTI, founder of Atlanta-based AFC Enterprises Inc., which is now parent to the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits brand, will retire as chairman. John M. Cranor, an AFC board member and former leader of Long John Silver’s and KFC, will succeed Belatti.
DAVID GORONKIN stepped down as president and chief executive of Minneapolis-based Famous Dave’s of America Inc. F. Lane Cardwell Jr., a Famous Dave’s board member, was named acting CEO.