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Larkburger names former Taco Cabana executive CEOLarkburger names former Taco Cabana executive CEO

Todd Coerver replaces co-founder Adam Baker, who resigned in June

Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

September 29, 2016

1 Min Read
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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.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected]
Follow her on Twitter: @livetodineout 

About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

[email protected]

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

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