Leadership

Red Robin COO Michael Buchmeier is leaving the company

Buchmeier, who has spent a combined 25 years at the chain, is the latest C-suite departure under new CEO G.J. Hart.
Red Robin exterior
Red Robin has an almost entirely new C-suite. / Photograph: Shutterstock

Red Robin COO Michael Buchmeier is leaving the burger chain after a combined 25 years there.

It's the latest change to the C-suite under new CEO G.J. Hart, who in October named a new CFO and chief legal officer and announced the departures of the brand's chief concept officer and chief information officer.

After the shakeup, Buchmeier was one of just two C-suite members left from the regime of former CEO Paul Murphy. Chief People Officer Wayne Davis is now the lone holdover. 

Buchmeier's exit was announced Friday in an SEC filing, and no reason was given for the change. It will take effect Jan. 31.

Buchmeier first joined Red Robin in 1986 as director of operations and stayed for 10 years, according to his LinkedIn. He then worked in operations at a pair of coffee concepts and a storage company before returning to Red Robin in 2009 as VP of operations, standards and talent. He became chief people officer in 2019 and COO last November.

Hart, a former leader of Torchy's Tacos and Texas Roadhouse, was elevated from Red Robin's board to help turn around the struggling brand. During an earnings call in November, he said he wants to work on improving its burgers and take a look at its operations and labor model. 

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