Executive Ladder
Church’s Chicken promoted Claudia Lezcano to senior vice president of U.S. marketing.
Carrols Restaurant Group, Burger King’s largest franchisee, named Paulo Pena its new CEO. Pena succeeds Dan Accordino, who retired after 50 years at the company.
FullSpeed Automotive hired Shane Jones as chief financial officer and Greg Penman as vice president of mergers and acquisitions.
Launch Entertainment added Tim Lumpkin as director of real estate and Bobby Morefield as director of construction.
Firehouse Subs named Mike Hancock its new chief operating officer, replacing Don Fox, who was promoted from COO to CEO in 2009. Hancock was COO at Tim Hortons, another Restaurant Brands International company.
Thomas A. Wolfe was named CEO and president of Ziebart International, succeeding his father, Thomas E. Wolfe, who will continue at the brand as chairman of the board and executive vice president. Larisa Walega, Ziebart’s vice president of marketing, was appointed vice chair of the International Franchise Association’s Women’s Franchise Committee.
Moe’s Southwest Grill named Tory Bartlett as chief brand officer. Bartlett most recently served as CBO of Schlotzsky’s.
GPS Hospitality, a large franchisee of Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Pizza Hut, promoted Roger Wood to region vice president.
Nick Booras joined Fuzzy’s Taco Shop as senior vice president of franchise sales.
Domino’s Pizza promoted chief operating officer Russel Weiner to CEO as of May 1, replacing Ritch Allison, who retired at the end of April. The company also promoted Joe Jordan to president of U.S. and global services and Art D’Elia to executive vice president of international, effective May 1.
New England Authentic Eats, parent company of D’Angelo Grilled Sandwiches and Papa Gino’s Pizzeria, promoted Deena McKinley to chief experience officer and hired Kevin Bentley as vice president of technology and automation.
Multi-brand franchisee group Team Schostak Family Restaurants and Schostak Brothers & Co. promoted Sandra Reinhardt to chief information officer.
The Little Gym International, part of the Unleashed Brands portfolio, appointed Jamie Eslinger as new senior vice president of marketing and integration.
Pirtek USA, a hydraulic and industrial hose maintenance franchise, named Mike McCarthy as chief operating officer.
Propelled Brands promoted Scott Krupa to vice president of franchise development.
Erbert & Gerbert’s promoted Jeremy Burke to chief operating officer.
Wing Zone added Myles Gift as vice president of operations and hired three new franchise business coaches: Per Hoddelius, Richard Colantuono and Jason Byrd. The company also appointed Omar Caton as senior director of training and quality assurance.
Dan Sokolik joined LFR Chicken, owner of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, as vice president of marketing.
Wingstop President and COO Michael Skipworth took over as CEO, replacing Charlie Morrison, who joined drive-thru salad concept Salad and Go as CEO.
Title Boxing Club CEO Todd Wadler was appointed to the board of the USA Boxing Foundation.
HomeWell Care Services hired Erika Ehlers as senior director of training.
Qdoba Mexican Eats added Lori Osley as vice president of franchise development, Kyle Brown as director of design and architecture and Anthony Friel as project manager.
Sarah Beddoe joined Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes as vice president of marketing.
Whataburger named Elena Kraus new chief legal officer, taking over for the retiring Michael Gibbs.
WOWorks, parent company of Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek, hired Kyle Mark as chief information officer.
Batteries Plus promoted Jon Sica to chief business officer and hired Scott Buchalter as director of franchise relations.
PGA golfer Danny Guise was named Youth Athletes United’s TGA Premier Sports brand ambassador, joining co-ambassador and tennis star Leylah Fernandez.
Greenspoon Marder launched its franchise law practice group and added five new attorneys: Adam Wasch, Evan Goldman, Brett Buterick, Joseph Wasch and Natalie Restivo.