Sweetgreen’s longtime CFO Mitch Reback is retiring, effective Sept. 21, and the fast-casual chain has named Jamie McConnell to the role. McConnell previously served as chief accounting and administrative officer for Chipotle, a brand she joined in 2018 as vice president and controller. She has also worked with Aviation Capital Group, Rent-A-Center, Allergan and Deloitte.
Reback, meanwhile, will stay on for six months as a consultant to facilitate the transition, the company said in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Stacy Peterson is the new president and chief operating officer at Jersey Mike’s Subs. She joins the sandwich chain after serving as CEO at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. Peterson also spent nearly a decade in leadership roles at Wingstop.
Portillo’s will soon have a new chief marketing officer. Denise Lauer will step into the role on Sept. 22. She is the former CMO for Marco’s Pizza, where she was credited with developing the successful “Marco’s More Menu,” a value platform that grew the average check and boosted frequency. She also led a transformation of the digital ordering experience.
SPB Hospitality, the parent of Krystal, Logan’s Roadhouse and other chains, promoted Kristen Hohl to EVP of marketing. Hohl has been with SPB for seven years in various marketing roles, and before that worked for O’Charley’s.
Philly’s Best Steak Co. has named Steven Folenius senior vice president of sales. Folenius has served previously in leadership positions at CTI Foods, AdvancePierre and JTM Foods Group, working with clients such as Cracker Barrel, CKE Restaurants, Burger King and Wawa.
Chef Charlie Mitchell has taken the helm of the Michelin-two-star restaurant Saga, operated by Kent Hospitality Group in New York’s financial district. Mitchell, a veteran of Eleven Madison Park, was the first Black chef in New York to earn a Michelin star, while working at Clover Hill in Brooklyn Heights. His experience also includes work in the kitchen at the restaurants Betony, Benu, Per Se and Blue Hill.
Kent Hospitality was previously known as Saga Hospitality Group, but the name was changed to honor founder James Kent, who died unexpectedly last year.
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