1 9
Dave & Buster’s announced the resignation of CEO Chris Morris ahead of the company’s third-quarter earnings results. Morris, who has served as CEO since July 2022, stepped down “to pursue other interests,” and until his successor is selected, Kevin Sheehan, the company’s current board chair, will serve as interim CEO. The executive board has been working with global executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles to identify Morris’ successor. Dave & Buster’s also brought back Steve Klohn as its chief information officer. Klohn left the company earlier in 2024 after spending a combined eight years with. Main Event and Dave & Buster’s. Klohn most recently served as chief technology officer for Legends. Prior, he was part of the acquisition by Dave and Buster’s of Main Event in June 2022. He led both technology teams. He has also held technology leadership positions at Brinker, JCPenney, and Real Page.
Amid rumors that Starbucks is considering selling off its China business, Starbucks China appointed Tony Yang as its first chief growth officer. According to Reuters, Yang previously worked as a partner and president of Chinese digital marketing firm, Tezign, where he has been since 2019. Before that, Yang held senior leadership positions in marketing divisions at Proctor & Gamble, PepsiCo, and Alibaba Group.
Subway promoted Dave Blankenship to chief information officer. He reports to Carrie Walsh, Subway’s interim CEO, and leads the global technology team. Since joining Subway in August 2020, Blankenship has worked closely with Subway franchisees to deliver technology solutions. In his new role he succeeds Donagh Herlihy, who retired at the end of 2024. He had served in the role since 2021.
Portillo’s named Tony Darden chief operating officer. He joins from Jack in the Box, where he served as chief operating officer. He previously served as president of Mooyah Burgers, and held COO positions at Taco Bueno and Sun Holdings, the franchise group. Additionally, he served as vice president of operations at Panera Bread.
Kieran Donahue joined GoTo Foods as chief commercial officer. She came from Dine Brands, where she served as chief marketing officer for IHOP. She has worked in the hospitality space for 25 years, starting on the hotel side, where she worked for Hilton and Marriott, before moving on to restaurants.
Dutch Bros named Venki Krishnababu as chief technology and information officer. He brings nearly 30 years of experience to the role. Prior to joining Dutch Bros, he served as Lululemon’s chief technology officer. Previously, Krishnababu was chief technology officer at the not-for-profit healthcare company Premera Blue Cross and in various leadership roles over 16 years at Nordstrom.
7 Brew has named Nick Chavez as its first chief marketing officer. Chavez has more than 25 years of experience in consumer and integrated marketing communications across the restaurant, electronics, and digital media industries, most recently serving as CMO of KFC U.S. Prior to KFC, he spent nearly 12 years at Nintendo of America, and prior to Nintendo, Chavez held various marketing roles at Yahoo! for more than a decade.
Luna Grill announced the appointment of Billy Grenham as the company’s first chief marketing officer. Most recently before joining Luna Grill, Grenham served as CMO for Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, and he also held leadership positions at multiple fitness companies. Grenham also served as head of global marketing and communications for Taco Bell from 2017 until 2019, and before that, was a brand manager for PepsiCo.
Brinker International named Mike Wesley as vice president of marketing for its Maggiano’s Little Italy division. He most recently served as vice president of brand marketing for KFC U.S. Prior to joining the foodservice industry, Wesley held brand positions at Procter & Gamble in North America for the oral health and global home categories.
