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Carrols Restaurant Group CEO Daniel Accordino to retireCarrols Restaurant Group CEO Daniel Accordino to retire

Board of Burger King-Popeyes franchise group launches search for successor after planned June 30 retirement

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 24, 2021

2 Min Read
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The longtime Carrols Restaurant Group Inc. CEO and president, Daniel Accordino, will be retiring in nine months, and the board has launched a search for a successor, the company said Friday.

Accordino, 71, had served as CEO of the Syracuse, N.Y.-based franchisee of Burger King and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen since January 2012. He will retire on June 30, 2022, the company said.

Accordino started with Carrols in 1972. He has served as chairman of the board since January 2015.

“With Carrols well positioned for continued success, I believe now is the right time — both for me and Carrols — to begin a transition to the next generation of leadership,” said Accordino in a statement.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the board and our dedicated management team over the next nine months to identify an exemplary leader for our business and ensure a successful transition,” he said.

The company said Accordino will step down as chairman and as a board member at or prior to the effective time of his retirement.

“The Carrols board is conducting a comprehensive search to identify a new CEO and is engaging a leading executive search firm to assist in the process,” the company said.

Accordino has served in a variety of senior leadership positions at Carrols, including as president since February 1993, chief operating officer from February 1993 to December 2011, and executive vice president for operations from December 1986 to February 1993.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Dan for his 50 years of dedicated service to Carrols,” said David Harris, a Carrols board member.

“Dan has been instrumental in helping transform Carrols from a regional quick-service restaurant chain to the largest Burger King franchisee in the United States,” Harris said. “The board is committed to finding a world-class successor for Dan and is grateful to have his continued leadership and guidance throughout the succession planning and transition process.”

Carrols operates 1,027 Burger King restaurants in 23 states as well as 65 Popeyes restaurants in seven states. Carrols has been a Burger King franchisee since 1976 and a Popeyes franchisee since 2019.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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