people

Denver — Smashburger®, a leading fast-casual better burger brand, has appointed Denise Nelsen as its new chief executive officer, the company’s first female CEO. She joins the company from Starbucks. Under this new leadership, Smashburger is primed to further drive culinary innovation to enhance the guest experience, while expanding its industry footprint. “We are thrilled to welcome Denise Nelsen as Smashburger’s newest CEO. With her extensive experience and proven leadership in the food and beverage industry, she is set to propel the brand into a new era of growth,” says …

Louisville, Ky. — The president and CEO of Papa John’s International, Inc., Rob Lynch, plans to depart Papa Johns to become CEO of Shake Shack. The board has appointed Ravi Thanawala, current chief financial officer of Papa Johns, as interim CEO. To ensure a smooth transition, Lynch will provide continued support in an advisory role until April 30, 2024. The board is conducting a search to identify a successor for the CEO role. “I am confident that we have a strong leadership team in place — led by Ravi Thanawala …

New York City — The board of directors of Shake Shack Inc. has appointed Rob Lynch to chief executive officer and board member, effective May 20, 2024. Lynch currently serves as president and CEO of Papa John’s International, Inc. and under his leadership, the company has achieved record global systemwide sales (over $5 billion across approximately 5,900 units). Lynch will succeed Randy Garutti who will continue as the company’s CEO through May 20, 2024, which will also be his final day serving on the board, before transitioning to an advisor …

Cheyenne, Wyo. — Taco John’s® welcomes industry veteran Heather Neary to the executive leadership team as president and chief executive officer. Neary assumes the role from former CEO Jim Creel, who retired after more than two decades. During Creel’s tenure, the chain became one of the largest Mexican quick-service restaurant brands in the country. Neary brings more than two decades of relevant restaurant, brand and franchise leadership experience to her new role, most recently as the brand president at KBP Brands, a large QSR franchisee. She joins Taco John’s as …