Leadership

Latest restaurant executive changes: Cava and Denny's get new executives

Executive Summary: A roundup of high-level hirings and promotions in the restaurant business includes changes for 7-Eleven, Razzoo’s, Golden Chick, Canada’s restaurant association.
Andy Rebhun, Alex Williams, Nancy Jacobi

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Wlcome to Executive Summary, a weekly roundup of notable changes among top-level executives at restaurant chains and other organizations.

Andy Rebhun, who has served as chief marketing officer for El Pollo Loco for the past year and a half, this week moved to Cava as chief experience officer, where he will lead the communications, creative, digital and marketing teams.

The Denny’s diner chain has named industry veteran Alex Williams COO and EVP, reporting directly to Denny’s President John Dillon. Williams previously worked for a number of restaurant chains, including Starbucks, Outback and Fleming’s.

The Golden Chick fast-food chicken chain has promoted Nancy Jacobi to VP of human resources. She previously was the director of the department.

Restaurants Canada, the national trade association serving restaurants north of the U.S. border, has promoted Kelly Higginson to CEO and president. She formerly served as COO of the organization, having joined last year after working for a restaurant operator. Higginson replaced Christian Buhagiar, who served as CEO for just a year. The association said Buhabiar had left the organization. No reason was given for his departure.

7-Eleven parent Seven & I has quietly named Stan Reynolds president, RB sister publication CSP reported. The title was previously held by Joe DePinto, who remains CEO. The personnel change comes as Seven & i is being pressured by a dissident shareholder to sell 7-Eleven. The personnel change was not announced, CSP reported.

The 22-unit Razzoo’sCajun Café casual-dining chain has named Philip Parsons to succeed co-founder Jeff Powell as CEO.  Powell is moving up to chairman of the board for the regional operation.  Parson was previously Razzoo’s president.

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