Leadership

Individuals influencing the direction of the restaurant industry

Cutting-edge technology is nothing new for Sonic

By Restaurant Business Staff on Apr. 19, 2022

The concept owes its long run in no small part to recognizing a game-changing piece of equipment back when TV was a novelty.

Leadership

Papa John’s names Joe Sieve chief restaurant officer

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 19, 2022

The former Inspire Brands executive will oversee franchise-operations support and company-owned restaurants at the pizza chain.

Leadership

Bob Chinn, proprietor of the high-volume crab house of the same name, is dead at age 99

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 18, 2022

The establishment ranked for decades as one of the nation's highest grossing independents, with 2019 sales of nearly $19 million.

Premium

Leadership

Sardar Biglari makes more changes to his incentive agreement

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 15, 2022

The Bottom Line: Biglari Holdings, the owner of Steak n Shake, defends a services agreement with its chairman’s investment fund and commits to making up prior investment losses.

Leadership

Fat Brands names Michael Chachula chief information officer

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 14, 2022

The former executive from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will oversee technology platforms for the owner of Fatburger, Johnny Rockets and Twin Peaks.

Leadership

Industry vet Sharlene Smith named Zaxby’s COO

By Heather Lalley on Apr. 14, 2022

Smith most recently served as VP of operations excellence for Papa John’s and has also held leadership posts at McDonald’s.

Leadership

Sonic's Claudia San Pedro keeps her ears and options wide open

By Peter Romeo on Apr. 13, 2022

At the Restaurant Leadership Conference, the former government official shared the philosophy that earned her the 2022 Restaurant Leader of the Year award.

Leadership

How P.F. Chang’s CEO Damola Adamolekun tackled challenges inside his restaurants’ walls—and outside them, too

By Heather Lalley on Apr. 12, 2022

Improving the in-restaurant experience and making off-premise sales a priority topped his to-do list when he took over the Asian casual-dining chain in 2020.

Leadership