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Chili’s CMO George Felix is getting a promotion. Felix, who has been instrumental in Chili’s recent revival, is now executive vice president and CMO of Chili’s parent Brinker International, where he will oversee both Chili’s and its sister concept, Maggiano’s Little Italy. He will look to bring the success at Chili’s to Maggiano’s, which is undergoing a “Back to Maggiano’s” turnaround effort. Felix joined Brinker in 2022 after a stint as CMO of Tinder. Before that, he spent nearly six years in marketing at Yum Brands.
Texas Roadhouse appointed White Castle CEO Lisa Ingram to its board of directors. Ingram has been CEO since 2015 and is part of the fourth generation of the family that founded White Castle 105 years ago. Texas Roadhouse CEO Jerry Morgan said the chain values Ingram’s experience leading a successful, people-first company with close ties to its founders.
Red Lobster made two additions to its executive team.
Brad Hill is the chain’s new CFO and executive vice president of transformation. Hill was previously at P.F. Chang’s, where he served as COO, CFO and most recently CEO over an eight-year period. He replaces Bob Baker, who has left Red Lobster.
Kristen Briede was named chief global development officer. She comes to Red Lobster from Steak n Shake, where she was chief global development officer for a little over a year. Before that, she spent 19 years at P.F. Chang’s. Briede is also the chair of the Arizona Restaurant Association.
Shipley Donuts has added three new executives to its leadership team.
Matt Kafka has been named chief operating officer. He was most recently senior vice president and interim COO at Smoothie King, and held previous roles at Jamba.
Todd Brin is Shipley’s new chief development officer. He joined the company in 2025 as vice president of design and construction. He previously spent 22 years with Wingstop, where he helped that brand scale from 85 to 2,500 units worldwide.
And John Feray is the donut chain’s new chief financial officer. Feray was most recently the CFO at GSM Outdoors.
Biscuitville has promoted five internal leaders this week.
Wilson Douglas, the former marketing manager, digital omnichannel, has been promoted to director of marketing, digital omnichannel.
Nathan Gatto is been promoted from director of operations services to senior director of operations services.
Melissa Ranken, the former director of finance, is now senior director of finance.
Alon Vanterpool has also moved from director of internal communications to senior director of communications.
And Melinda Webster has been promoted from benefits and compensation manager to director of compensation and benefits.
Farmer Boys appointed Mark Hardison as its new CMO. Most recently, he served as CMO at California Fish Grill, and previously spent more than 20 years at El Pollo Loco in leadership roles. Hardison is tasked with leading the next phase of Farmer Boys’ brand growth by elevating the company’s market positioning and deepening guest engagement.
Two new executives have joined the leadership team at HTeaO. Jerry McClain assumes the new role of VP of store development, coming over from Raising Cane’s where he helped grow the brand to 700 units nationwide. Brian Aga has been named SVP of operations. He previously held positions at Denny’s supporting large-scale franchisees.
Fast-casual WaBa Grill named Afshin Compani president and chief operating officer. Compani has previously held senior leadership roles at Taco Bell, El Pollo Loco and other chains.
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