Sweetgreen named former Starbucks executive Rossann Williams as chief operating officer. The Los Angeles-based salad restaurant hired Williams to oversee operations, real estate and development, and supply chain.

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Ascent Hospitality Management named Toni Ronayne president of Perkins Restaurant & Bakery. The company, which also owns the Huddle House restaurant brand, also named Steven Roach as chief technology officer.

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Japanese fast-casual restaurant Pepper Lunch named Mark Bailey chief operating officer. The Troy Hooper-run concept brought on the executive to oversee domestic growth.

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Pizza Hut chief operating officer Chequan Lewis exited the company. The former COO announced on LinkedIn that he left the Yum Brands company after eight years in multiple leadership positions.

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Taco Bell named Jason Kidd as its global COO. The executive most recently served as president of Hearing Lab Technology and succeeded Mike Grams in the role.

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El Pollo Loco hired former Taco Bell exec Liz Williams to be CEO and director. The chain’s current chief operating officer Maria Hollandsworth was named president, COO.

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The next generation of the Lee family took over the management of Flame Broiler. Christian Lee was named president and Daniel Lee was named chief innovation officer, while youngest brother David Lee also joined the team.

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Whataburger named Scott Hudler CMO and senior vice president. Hudler came to the brand with 30 years of experience at Dunkin’, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Torchy’s Tacos.

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SPB Hospitality named two new executives to its team. Ellen Rockwell joined SPB Hospitality as executive vice president of people and culture, and Amanda Hyde was promoted to senior vice president of operations for Krystal.

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Taco Bell tapped Scott Mezvinsky to oversee the international division. Scott Mezvinsky has been with restaurant company Yum Brands for nearly 20 years and started with Taco Bell in early 2021 as chief strategy and financial officer.

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Seafood-focused restaurant chain Captain D’s promoted Nan Ward to chief operating officer. Ward has been with the fast-casual company since 2012.

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Mountain Mike’s Pizza promoted Jim Metevier to CEO. The executive previously served as the restaurant company’s president and COO.

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Condado Tacos named Natalie Harden CFO. The former Chuy’s Holdings executive has over 20 years of restaurant experience.

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Dine Brands added Matt Ryan to the board. Ryan is CEO of Soli Organic, the nation’s largest commercial indoor organic grower.

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Wendy’s named Matt Spessard as chief information officer. The former global chief technology officer succeeded Kevin Vasconi in the role.

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Chili’s parent Brinker made several executive changes. Mika Ware was promoted to chief financial officer to succeed Joe Taylor, who will retire on June 27, and Chris Caldwell was named chief information officer.

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Yardbird named the former president, CEO of Wolfgang Puck and Thomas Keller groups Joe Essa as president, COO. Essa joined Yardbird Group to usher the modern Southern brand into its next phase of national and international growth.

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Hair Parra was named senior vice president of international operations and development for Captain D’s. Parra spent over 35 years leading international operations and development for Papa Johns, Benihana and Domino’s.

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