Three restaurant chains named new CEOs this week, adding their names to a growing number of companies making a change at the top.
Smashburger named Jim Sullivan CEO. Luna Grill named Rich Pinnella its new chief executive. And California-based Pizza Factory named Lisa Roscoe CEO.
They join a growing list of new CEOs at restaurant chains. Over the past five weeks, Starbird (Maria Rivera), Subway (Jonathan Fitzpatrick), Dave & Buster’s (Tarun Lal) and The Melting Pot (John Crawford) all named new chief executives.
Meanwhile, both Wendy’s (Kirk Tanner) and Topgolf (Artie Starrs) lost their CEOs to non-restaurant companies, The Hershey Company and Harley Davidson, respectively.
Here’s a look at the three CEOs named this week.
Smashburger
The fast-casual burger chain promoted Jim Sullivan to the CEO role, which marks something of an annual tradition. This is third straight year that Smashburger has named a new CEO.
Sullivan has been president of the brand since February and has a history as a development executive. Before Smashburger he worked with Qdoba, CKE Restaurants, Friendly’s, Modern Restaurant Concepts and American Hospitality Concepts.
Smashburger said that Sullivan has focused on brand positioning and growth through franchising and non-traditional locations.
“He has already laid the foundation for a more focused brand that is delivering better food, a stronger guest experience and renewed momentum across the system,” Richard Shin, CEO of Jollibee Group International, Smashburger’s parent company.
Smashburger operates 219 global locations, most of which are in the U.S. Global system sales fell 7.3% last year, according to Restaurant Business sister company Technomic.
Luna Grill
Pinnella is Luna Mediterranean Kitchen’s first new CEO in two decades. The fast-casual chain’s president was promoted after founder and longtime CEO Sean Pourteymour stepped back to become executive chairman and chairman of the board.
“This is an inflection point for Luna Grill,” Pourteymour said.
Pinnella joined the San Diego-based brand, which ranked No. 438 on the latest Technomic Top 500 list of the country’s largest restaurant chains, six years ago and has since spearheaded improvements in operations, customer experience and expansion strategy, the chain said.
Before coming to Luna Grill, he spent more than 20 years with Taco Bell, moving up the ranks, before departing the fast-food chain in 2019 as vice president and GM.
Luna Grill was founded in 2004 by Pourteymour and his wife, Maria. Known for its better-for-you menu of Mediterranean dishes, it has since grown to 51 locations in Southern California and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The company recently announced plans for its first Arizona restaurant.
“I’m humbled to take the reins as we accelerate into new markets and new opportunities,” Pinnella said. “The Mediterranean lifestyle has never been more relevant, and Luna Grill is just getting started.”
Pizza Factory
Lisa Roscoe takes the CEO role at Pizza Factory at a pivotal time for the chain, coming after its recent acquisition by Wonder Franchises.
She takes over for Mary Jane Riva, who will remain as an advisor.
Roscoe has held development and legal roles at concepts such as St. Louis Bar & Kitchen and Tim Hortons. “Lisa is exactly the kind of leader I had hoped would step into this role,” Riva said in a statement. “She’s thoughtful, approachable and genuinely invested in supporting our franchisees.”
Pizza Factory operates 113 locations, all of which are franchised. Its parent company, Wonder Franchises, owns an eclectic set of businesses: Vio Med Spa, a medical spa franchisor, and Christmas Décor, a holiday decorating services franchise, both of which were bought last year. Wonder bought Pizza Factory earlier this year.
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