Orlando, Fla. — Sonny’s BBQ, an industry-leading BBQ restaurant, has added Matt Zeiger to its team as chief financial & development officer. In this key leadership role, he will oversee finance and development, bringing his strategic vision and deep expertise to support Sonny’s growth plan.
“Matt brings an impressive 25 years of exceptional financial and operational leadership, having worked with some of the most respected restaurant franchise brands in the industry,” says George McAllan, chief growth officer at Sonny’s BBQ. “His depth of expertise will help guide Sonny’s BBQ as we enter a growth phase for the company and continue to expand our footprint in a smart and strategic manner.”
Zeiger spent a significant portion of his career at Yum! Brands in key leadership roles, including CFO of Pizza Hut Korea, where he successfully led a major turnaround and oversaw the re-franchising of more than 100 restaurants. Most recently, he served as both CEO and CFO of Quality Restaurant Group, a 340-unit, multi-brand franchise organization operating across 15 states.
Alongside Matt Zeiger, Sonny’s has welcomed Debbie Pirone as director of training & operations support and Eric High as director of franchise relations. The two seasoned professionals bring decades of industry experience to the table.
Pirone has over 25 years of food and hospitality experience, including 20 years at Domino’s Pizza where she led operations, training and franchise development. In her role at Sonny’s BBQ, she will focus on enhancing employee performance and implementing consistent, brand-aligned training programs that support the development of both corporate and franchise teams.
High also joins Sonny’s with more than two decades of experience supporting franchisees and driving operational excellence. He will serve as a strategic partner to franchise operators, helping to align growth initiatives and enhance overall satisfaction. Prior to joining Sonny’s, High served as director of franchise operations at Inspire Brands, overseeing more than 650 Dunkin’ franchised restaurants across the South Central U.S.
“Debbie and Eric bring exceptional experience and leadership to the Sonny’s BBQ team,” says McAllan. “Each has a proven track record of supporting teams and driving operational success in high-growth franchise environments. As we continue to invest in our people and build for the future, their expertise will be key in strengthening our systems and elevating the experience for both team members and guests.”
With nearly 100 locations spanning the Southeast, Sonny’s BBQ® is one of the largest barbecue restaurant brands in the country. Floyd “Sonny” Tillman and his wife, Lucille, founded Sonny’s BBQ in 1968 in Gainesville, Fla. For more information, visit www.SonnysBBQ.com and https://sonnysbbqfranchise.com/.
SOURCE: Sonny’s BBQ