Inspire Brands announced that David Graves has been named as Arby’s brand president. Graves previously served as president of Pizza Hut U.S. Prior to that role, he served as Pizza Hut’s chief brand officer and then general manager. Prior to joining Pizza Hut, Graves spent several years at KFC U.S., leading the marketing strategy. At Arby’s, he succeeds Rita Patel, who was named president in April 2023 after serving as chief marketing officer since 2022. Inspire also recently announced Jeff Baker as Arby’s CMO. Baker returns to Arby’s with prior experience, having previously served as vice president of brand advertising and content from 2014 to 2018. He has been with Inspire for 11 years, most recently as vice president of category management at Buffalo Wild Wings.

BJ’s Restaurants has appointed a new president and chief concept officer, Lyle D. Tick. Tick, who has served as president and CEO of On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina since December 2023, previously was president of Buffalo Wild Wings from 2018 to 2023. From 2016 to 2018, he served as managing director, Boots Retail USA for Walgreens Boots Alliance, where he led the re-organization and scaling of the beauty brands business in the Americas.

Artistry Restaurants, which has a portfolio of five brands with 29 locations in the Southeast, has named Bryan Lockwood as CEO. Artistry said Lockwood has experience as an investor, franchisor, and franchisee in specialty and multi-unit restaurant operations. He has served as CEO of Stonefire Grill and Real Mex Restaurants, and as president and CEO of Tavistock Restaurants. Most recently he was the principal at Rare One LLC, a private-investment company specializing in restaurants and hospitality. Artistry earlier this year named Jason Brooks as chief operating officer and partner. He most recently served as vice president of operations for Uncle Julio’s Restaurant Group and earlier had worked with Outback Steakhouse parent Bloomin’ Brands Inc.

Bloomin’ Brands Inc. has promoted Gagan Sinha to chief information officer. Sinha will lead global information technology strategy, development, and implementation of all digital consumer and business technology. He succeeds Astrid Isaacs in the role. Sinha joined Bloomin’ Brands as senior vice president of technology. Prior to joining the company, he worked with Inspire Brands, where he served as senior vice president of information technology. Before Inspire’s acquisition of Dunkin Brands, Sinha led technology for Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins stores globally.

First Watch announced the promotion of Rob Conti to chief information officer. The company said Conti first joined in 2019 and previously served as senior vice president of information and technology. Conti has overseen the delivery of key company systems, including the development of a business intelligence platform, a cyber security program, a pay at the table solution, and kitchen display systems. Before joining First Watch, Conti spent more than 18 years at Hard Rock International in various information technology leadership roles. He also spent more than 10 years with The Walt Disney Co. in restaurant operations.

IHOP president Jay Johns announced his retirement effective Jan. 6. He will remain involved with the company in an advisory capacity until March 2025. Lawrence Kim, who since 2021 has served as chief innovation officer at Yum Brands, has been appointed president designee effective Oct. 21 and will assume the president role on Jan. 6.

John Konyn has been named chief operations officer of Mo’Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food. Konyn has been with the brand since 2010 and most recently served as vice president of operations, leading training and developing team members to take on general manager, district manager, and district operations roles.

Ford’s Garage has named Billy “B.D.” Downs as its new president. Downs joined the company in 2015 and then served as its first franchisee with a location in the Detroit market. He will continue managing the Detroit franchise while serving as president. Earlier in his career, Downs co-founded B.D.’s Mongolian Grill, growing the company to 37 restaurants in 12 states and a franchise location in Mongolia. He succeeds Steve Shlemon, who has served as president of Ford’s Garage for the past four years.

Nothing Bundt Cakes named Yum Brands veteran Wanda Williams as its new chief operations officer. In this role, she will oversee operations, team development, and communications for more than 600 bakeries. She had served as head of global franchising for Yum Brands since late 2020, overseeing the company’s franchise system and franchise relations with more than 1,500 franchisees across its four major brands. Prior, she served as vice president of operations at Pizza Hut, responsible for enhancing the restaurant and delivery experience through technology and contactless operating procedures.

Brad West will retire as chief operating officer of Noodles & Company next year. West, who joined the company in September of 2017 as executive vice president of operations and was promoted to COO in March of 2021, will remain in his position until June 30, 2025, or “until the date on which his successor to such position is appointed and commences employment,” according to a Securities & Exchange Commission filing. Between that time and June 30, West will serve as the chief executive officer’s chief of staff.

Papa Johns announced that the company hired former Wendy’s chief information officer Kevin Vasconi as chief digital and technology officer. Vasconi worked for Wendy’s for four years, where he led the company’s transformation and was able to triple its ecommerce business in three years and leverage technology to build Wendy’s loyalty program. He was also an executive advisor to the CEO until April. Prior to working for Wendy’s, Vasconi worked at Domino’s Pizza for eight years as executive vice president and chief information officer, where he was in charge of budling domestic and international ecommerce business.

Smalls Sliders named Dan Hurwitz as its chief financial officer. Hurwitz most recently served as CFO of Philz Coffee, where he spent the past nearly three years. His prior experience includes financial planning and analysis roles at Gamestop, Kids2, Restoration Hardware, MGM Resorts International, and Abercrombie & Fitch. In his new role, he is charged with guiding Smalls’ investment decisions, supporting franchise growth, and ensuring the company maintains a strong financial foundation while scaling.

Michael Conway, who was named to Starbucks’ newly created role of CEO, North America, in March, has announced his retirement. Conway was promoted to the position after serving as group president of international and channel development. In that role, he was responsible for leading Starbucks’ retail growth and operations in 80 markets. Sara Trilling, president of Starbucks North America, will now lead retail operations across the region. She has been with the company for 22 years, previously serving as senior vice president of its north division.

Starbucks has promoted Molly Liu to be the sole chief executive officer of its China division. Her former co-CEO, Belinda Wong, will stay on as chair for China. Before her appointment a year ago, Liu had been Starbucks China’s chief operating officer since 2021, and prior to that was its vice president of digital ventures.

Via 313 has named Kiplan Welsch president. Welsch has worked in restaurant operations for much of his career, most recently serving as Via 313’s vice president of operations, a position he’s held since 2023. In that role, he oversaw the company’s growth strategy and leadership development. Welsch started his career at Chili’s in 2002. He then served at P.F. Chang’s as an operating partner before serving 10 years at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, working his way up to area vice president. Prior to joining Via 313, Welsch was vice president of Bluestone Hospitality, overseeing 34 restaurants and five area directors.

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux announced the promotion of Chris Porcelli to CEO. He joined the company a year ago and has served as chief financial officer. Prior to joining Walk-On’s, Porcelli served various roles at Driven Brands, parent company of Maaco, including chief operating officer. In his new role, he is tasked with leading Walk-On’s as it introduces a new prototype designed to accelerate national expansion.

Wendy’s named Arthur Winkleblack as chairman of the board, succeeding longtime chair Nelson Peltz. The chain said Peltz has been named chairman emeritus to recognize his long-time leadership, counsel, guidance, and contributions to the board and the company. Winkleblack has served as lead independent director since October 2023 and has been a board member since 2016. He also serves as chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee and as a member of the audit committee, where he is a past chair. He has also been appointed chairman of the executive committee. Peltz, CEO and founding partner of Trian Fund Management, ash served as Wendy’s non-executive chair since 2007.

Wendy’s has named John Min as the company’s chief legal officer, succeeding E.J. Wunsch in the position. The company also announced the promotion of Mary Greenlee to senior vice president of U.S. operations. Min will report to Kirk Tanner, Wendy’s president and CEO, and succeeds Wunsch, who was named Wendy’s president in June. Greenlee will report to Abigail Pringle, who serves as Wendy’s vice president for the U.S.

Whataburger announced that chief executive officer Ed Nelson is retiring at the end of 2024 after a career spanning two decades with the brand. Nelson joined the company in 2004 as a controller and was promoted to chief financial officer in 2008. In 2019, he was named president and he became CEO in 2020. Debbie Stroud, current executive vice president and chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO on Jan. 1. Stroud joined Whataburger in early 2023 and is a seasoned executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience in the restaurant and retail industry. Previously, she served as senior vice president, U.S. Retail Operations at Starbucks. Prior to that, Stroud spent 27 years with McDonald’s.