Leadership

Papa Johns, Jack in the Box, Mooyah and more shake up C-suites

Executive Summary: The latest leadership changes in the restaurant industry.
Executive Summary
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Papa Johns has named Caroline Miller Oyler the company’s chief administrative officer. Oyler has been the company’s chief legal and risk officer since 2018. She will now oversee human resources, culture, legal, risk safety and security, internal audit, and facilities. The company is consolidating those functions to improve efficiency and collaboration.

Dawn Hooper, a longtime veteran of Jack in the Box, was named CFO of the burger chain after 25 years with the company. She has been the SVP and controller since 2022, but has on multiple occasions served as interim principal financial officer for the company during periods of CFO transition.

Ewan Davenport is the new president, international for CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc. Formerly with Yum Brands, Davenport worked with Pizza Hut for more than nine years, including as managing director for global franchise markets and managing director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa. Franklin, Tennessee-based CKE is the parent of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s.

Mooyah Burgers, Fries and Shakes named Michael Meche its new president. Meche is an industry veteran, previously serving as chief restaurant officer for sister brands Capriotti’s and Wing Zone after a 30-year career with Papa Johns. As Mooyah’s president, he is tasked with leading the chain into its next stage of franchise growth.

Blaze Pizza has named Jaime Denney to the role of chief operations officer. Denney was most recently vice president of franchise operations at Scooter’s Coffee, where she oversaw more than 840 franchised units and $720 million in system sales. She also led a turnaround at Jamba as vice president of operations, and spent 14 years with Starbucks, rising to director of business operations. Blaze is now based in Atlanta.

The eight-unit fast-casual concept Off The Hook Restaurants is beefing up its executive team as it plans growth in Louisiana. John Lush has been named chief operating officer, overseeing day-to-day operations. Bailey Richard is the new director of marketing, communications and compliance. And Randy Gross is director of operations, managing field operations and restaurant performance.

Paul Nishiyama is the new president of Yoshinoya America, a move that comes as the rice bowl concept plans new growth. Nishiyama is the former chief operating officer of Better Buzz Coffee, and, before that, held several senior executive positions at Rubio’s Restaurants Inc.

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