Ex-Hopdoddy CEO Jeff Chandler joins True Food Kitchen
Chandler will become CEO of the health-minded casual-dining chain after a decade at Hopdoddy.
July 21, 2026
True Food Kitchen has named former longtime Hopdoddy Burger Bar CEO Jeff Chandler as its new chief executive.
Chandler had been CEO of Hopdoddy for 10 years before stepping into an advisory role last month. He will be charged with leading 45-unit True Food into a new phase of growth.
He succeeds Jim Dunn, who was interim CEO until January 2026 following John Williams' resignation in December 2024.
True Food is coming off a rare down year in 2025: Systemwide sales fell 0.7%, and it closed one location, according to Technomic data. It was the chain’s first year of negative sales, outside of 2020, since its founding in 2008, per Technomic.
Phoenix-based True Food was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil and restaurateur Sam Fox with a focus on anti-inflammatory foods and simple ingredients and today has locations in 18 states.
In a statement, Chandler said he was excited about the opportunity, the brand’s foundation, and its mission to serve food that is both wholesome and craveable. He said he will focus on building a people-first culture and “restoring operational consistency and pride.”
“I am honored to join True Food Kitchen and excited to help guide this iconic brand into its next chapter,” he said.
Chandler oversaw significant growth during his tenure at Austin-based Hopdoddy, which was part of a crop of so-called better-burger brands to emerge in the mid-aughts. Since he joined in 2016, the chain’s unit count grew by 140%, from 20 to 48 locations, and sales increased by nearly 225%, to $138 million last year, according to Technomic data. Hopdoddy’s sales grew 6.2% in 2025 without the addition of any new restaurants.
“Having known Jeff for over three years, I can confidently say Jeff is the ideal leader for True Food Kitchen right now,” said Jason Karp, founder and CEO of HumanCo, an investor in True Food Kitchen. “His commitment to a healthy lifestyle and a track record of building culture-centric, beloved restaurants makes him uniquely suited for True Food's next chapter at a time when ingredient integrity and wellness is more important than ever for consumers.”
Prior to Hopdoddy, Chandler was CEO of Opper Melang Restaurant Group and a co-manager with RAM Restaurant Group.
He is the latest leadership addition at True Food, joining new CMO Anthony Nguyen and board members Tariq Hassan, former McDonald’s CMO, and Denny Post, former Red Robin CEO.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated that Jeff Chandler replaced John Williams as CEO of True Food Kitchen. NRN regrets the error.
About the Author
Joe Guszkowski
Senior editor, Restaurant Business
Joe Guszkowski is a senior editor with Restaurant Business covering technology and casual-dining chains.
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