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QSR Leadership & People

Profiles, interviews, and analysis of the executives, franchisees, and innovators driving the QSR industry forward.

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Illustration of a restaurant manager coaching an apprentice beside a food preparation line.
People & Culture

Chipotle Targets Full Apprentice Coverage by the End of 2027

Chipotle aims to extend Apprentice coverage from roughly three-quarters of restaurants to every company-owned location by end-2027.

SEP 15, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

Massachusetts cites Dunkin operator and staffing firms over worker pay

The $1.46 million assessment covers restitution for 100 employees and state penalties, with findings involving classification, pay and assignment notices.

SEP 3, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

Wendy’s Gives Tariq Hassan a Combined Marketing and Customer Growth Role

The August leadership change puts customer growth alongside marketing as Wendy’s works through weak U.S. sales. Operators need shared measures and a clear feedback route.

AUG 24, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

Wendy’s plans new operations role as Suerken prepares QSCC return

Wendy’s is recruiting a chief operations officer while Pete Suerken prepares to return to its independent purchasing cooperative.

AUG 17, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

Portillo’s cuts headquarters roles as restaurant cost pressures grow

Portillo’s July staffing action affected headquarters and limited field management roles. Its filing projects $1.1 million in restructuring charges and excludes restaurant team members.

AUG 5, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

SouthFair’s Shipley Agreement Links a Restaurant to Its Neighborhood Mission

SouthFair plans to operate a Shipley franchise at Malcolm’s Point, where Dallas records document a funded property-development loan and a separate proposed grant.

JUL 8, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

Dairy Queen Gives Phil Crawford a Broad Technology Mandate

Dairy Queen named Phil Crawford CTO over corporate IT and restaurant technology. His mandate connects commerce strategy, franchise support and leadership succession.

JUL 7, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

Wendy’s reunites Wright and Cirulis in finance and strategy

Steve Cirulis takes the combined finance and strategy role as Wendy’s sets Ken Cook’s July departure and discloses the new executive’s compensation.

JUN 23, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

Domino’s Sets an Extended Handoff From Russell Weiner to Joe Jordan

Domino’s planned CEO and chairman transitions create a long overlap. For franchisees, the key is clarity about who owns operating decisions.

JUN 22, 2026 · 4 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

Marco's plans Orlando training kitchen to support franchise expansion

A planned operations center costing more than $1 million pairs franchise education with a replica store kitchen, with opening expected in fall 2026.

JUN 16, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

P. Terry's Pairs Employee Ownership With a Profit-Sharing Plan

P. Terry's profit sharing starts at 5% of operating income. Eligibility, pool size and individual payouts are separate questions.

JUN 9, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

WOWorks names leaders for franchise recruitment and restaurant support

James Walker leads franchise growth and Nolan Woods takes operations and training as WOWorks pursues new locations and co-branding across six brands.

MAY 28, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

Church’s gives its commercial chief loyalty, menu and pricing oversight

Kevin Nemeth’s new role combines marketing and digital responsibilities with menu and pricing decisions across Church’s restaurant system.

MAY 26, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

Jack in the Box Puts Its Board Chair in Charge of the Turnaround

Mark King’s immediate move into the interim CEO role retains JACK on Track while changing who must turn its priorities into operating decisions.

MAY 13, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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people
People & Culture

Chicken Salad Chick plans Dublin opening with franchisee Jen Crichfield

Jen Crichfield’s planned April 28 Dublin opening follows her 2019 Westerville debut and early Dublin ambition, alongside the brand’s wider Columbus expansion.

APR 13, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
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