CEO Updates: Restaurants

These three restaurant chains have named new CEOs:

• Jersey Mike’s Subs (Manasquan, N.J.) has hired Charlie Morrison as CEO, effective April 28. Morrison — whose career includes stints at Salad and Go, Wingstop, Pizza Hut, Steak and Ale and Boston Market – replaces Peter Cancro, who is stepping down 50 years after acquiring the company’s first franchise location. Cancro will remain as board chairman and a significant minority shareholder at Jersey Mike’s, which currently has 3000-plus franchise locations in the U.S. and Canada.

“With a wealth of experience in scaling leading franchise brands, Charlie is the ideal leader to build on Peter’s extraordinary foundation and take Jersey Mike’s into its next era of growth,” said Joe Baratta, Global Head of Private Equity Strategies at Blackstone, which bought a majority stake in the chain last fall. “We are excited to partner with Charlie and the entire Jersey Mike’s team to help propel expansion into new markets, unlock new opportunities for technology-driven transformation and further elevate the experiences of customers and franchisee owners alike.”

• Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (Aurora, Colo.) has named board chairman David Pace to the additional roles of President and CEO. He replaces G.J. Hart, who is stepping down after 5-plus years at the operator of nearly 500 casual-dining locations.

“With a continued focus on delivering exceptional food and service and supporting our operators, I will be working with the team to enhance our marketing approach and re-invest in our facilities to increase guest engagement and grow traffic, Pace said.

• Salad and Go (Dallas) has tapped Mike Tattersfield as CEO, effective April 28. Tattersfield was previously President and CEO of Krispy Kreme for nearly a decade, and his other career stops include Caribou Coffee Co., Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, YUM! Brands and Lululemon. He replaces Charlie Morrison, who left to take the top job at Jersey Mike’s (see top item). Salad and Go operates more than 140 locations in Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma and Nevada.

“Mike is exactly the proven leader we need to unlock Salad and Go’s full potential,” said Florian van Rappard, Salad and Go director and partner at lead shareholder Volt Investment Holdings. (Tattersfield is also now a minority owner of the brand.) “His mission-driven orientation and track record of brand building at multiple successful companies make him the ideal person to guide Salad and Go through its next chapter of growth and impact.”