25 restaurant executives on the move in June, including new CEOs at Ojos Locos, Cafe Rio, and Erbert & Gerbert’s

• Executives

Some companies made sweeping changes last month.

July 7, 2026

Late spring and early summer brought a series of changes to restaurant industry C-suites, with 25 people changing jobs. 

The CEO changes largely happened at regional chains, with Ojos Locos Sports Cantina, Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican, and Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop naming new leaders. Bon Appétit Management also set up a CEO change for later in the year.

Some companies made multiple changes. Pura Vida Miami plumped up its C-suite with executives from Sweetgreen, Shake Shack, and Oakberry as it positions itself for national expansion. It added a chief culinary officer, chief development officer, and chief marketing officer.

Ojos Locos named a new chief legal officer in addition to its CEO; both came from Twin Peaks. And JAB named co-heads of business development.

There were some retirements and other exits last month; in addition to Bon Appétit’s outgoing CEO, Inspire Brand’s chief commercial and restaurant officer is departing to take a CEO position with another company, and Tracy Skeans is retiring from Yum Brands later this year after more than 25 years.

Click through the above slideshow to meet all of the restaurant executives who made moves in June.

About the Author

Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

Managing Editor

Leigh Anne Zinsmeister is a managing editor for Informa’s Foodservice Media, with brands including Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Business, and Foodservice Director.  Leigh Anne works on all of the brands’ special reports, including Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual Technomic Top 500 report. She also manages the group’s digital engagement team.

Leigh Anne lives in New York City, but also claims Phoenix, Dallas and Cleveland as hometowns. Leigh Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, where she also studied European history. 

Email Leigh Anne at [email protected] 

Leigh Anne Zinsmeister’s experience: 

• Group Managing Editor, Foodservice Media (June 2026-present)

• Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-June 2026)

• Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)

• Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)

• Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)

• Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)

• Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)

Group Managing Editor, Foodservice Media (June 2026-present)

Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-June 2026)

Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)

Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)

Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)

Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)

Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)

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