It was a busy week for restaurant CEO changes.
Noodles & Company CEO Drew Madsen announced he would step down at the end of the month, citing medical reasons. Current President and COO Joseph Christina was promoted to fill the CEO post. Also this week: Smashburger named Jim Sullivan CEO. Luna Grill named Rich Pinnella its new chief executive. And California-based Pizza Factory named Lisa Roscoe CEO.
Here are some other recent restaurant executive changes:
Matt Zeiger is the new chief financial & development officer at Sonny’s BBQ. Zeiger is a former Yum Brands alum, having been CFO of Pizza Hut Korea. Most recently, he was CEO and CFO of Quality Restaurant Group, a multi-brand franchise operation.
In addition, Sonny’s has named Debbie Pirone as director of training & operations. Pirone previously spent two decades with Domino’s Pizza leading operations, training and franchise development.
And Eric High is the chain’s new director of franchise relations. Before joining Sonny’s, High was director of franchise operations at Inspire Brands overseeing 650 franchised Dunkin’ units across the South Central U.S.
Eggs Up Grill promoted Julie Krupa to VP of real estate development. Krupa joined the breakfast chain in 2023 as director of developent and has helped more than double its footprint. She previously worked in real estate for Taco Bell, Torchy’s and Inspire Brands.
Ascent Hospitality Management, the parent company of Perkins and Huddle House, promoted Nick Mason as CFO. Mason started as VP of finance last October. Before that, he held finance roles at Papa Johns, CraftWorks, Pei Wei, Cici’s and Yum Brands.
Jason Ingermanson has been named president of Mokas Coffee & Eatery. He succeeds Scott Redler in the role. Redler is shifting to a seat on the board of directors for the Salina, Kansas-based coffee chain. Redler is known as the co-founder of Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, which he sold in 2021. Last year, Redler joined Mokas to launch franchising, and the first franchisee is expected to open units next year. Now that the program is up and running, Redler has moved to the board to support the brand in an advisory position.
Anthony Torres has been named vice president of food and beverage for Pyramid Global Hospitality, a hotel management company with more than 250 hotels and resorts worldwide. Within the company, the culinary outlets range from fine dining to speakeasy-style bars, including Signature Restaurant at La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Definos Italian Chophouse at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Florida, and Subito at The Lytle Park Autograph Collection Hotel in Cincinnati.
White Rhino Coffee, a Dallas-based 13-unit coffee chain, named Sara Escamilla president and CEO. She takes over from founder Chris Parvin, who is stepping down to focus time on his family and other pursuits. Escamilla has guided the brand’s growth in her previous role as COO, and will lead continued expansion across North Texas and into other regional markets.
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