Larkburger has named former Taco Cabana chief operating officer Todd Coerver as CEO, the company said Thursday.
Coerver replaces Adam Baker, one of the founders of the Denver-based better-burger chain, who resigned in June but remained interim CEO while the company searched for a replacement.
In addition, board member Ned Grace, an industry veteran known for founding The Capital Grille, and an early investor in Larkburger, has been named chairman of the board.
Coerver joined Taco Cabana seven years ago, as chief brand officer, before being promoted in 2012 to chief operating officer. Before joining Taco Cabana, he led marketing and innovation at Whataburger.
“Todd’s leadership qualities and broad functional expertise in a large chain environment are what we’ve been looking for to lead the next phase of growth at Larkburger,” said Aaron Kennedy, a Larkburger board member and founder of the Noodles & Company chain. “His passion for building and leading teams, along with his proven track record in growing restaurant brands, will make an immediate and positive impact on the company.”
Founded in 2006 by chef Thomas Salamunovich, Nancy Sweeney and Baker, Larkburger serves natural and additive-free burgers and hand-cut fries, with a lineup of house-made lemonade, milk shakes and craft beers.
The chain has 12 restaurants in Colorado, with the 13th unit scheduled to open in Overland Park, Kansas, in January 2017.
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