10 CEOs in restaurants
Chief Executive Officer and President & CEO are among the current titles held by these ten CEOs in restaurants, at companies including Chipotle Mexican Grill, Papa Johns, Torchy's Tacos and The Melting Pot Restaurants. A reader can learn how CEOs build and run their teams at restaurant companies.
Professionals to explore
Barry McGowan
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Fogo de Chão
Barry McGowan has been Chief Executive Officer at Fogo de Chão since January 2019 and was President there from 2013 to 2018, based in Dallas, Texas. Barry McGowan was Chief Operations Officer at Romano's Macaroni Grill from 2010 to 2013 and President and CEO, Founder, Board Member at Waterloo Restaurant Ventures, Inc. from 2002 to 2010.
Gavin Humes
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Scratch Restaurants Group
Gavin Humes has been Chief Executive Officer at Scratch Restaurants Group since March 2025, based in Los Angeles County, California. At Scratch Restaurants Group, Gavin Humes was also Chief Operating Officer from 2021 to 2025, Director Of Operations from 2019 to 2025 and Executive Chef from 2017 to 2018.
John R. Crawford
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · The Melting Pot Restaurants
John R. Crawford has been Chief Executive Officer at The Melting Pot Restaurants since March 2025 and was Executive Vice President there from 2020 to 2025, based in Tampa, Florida. John R. Crawford was COO at Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine from 2017 to 2020 and Vice President of Franchise Development and Operations at Ruth's Chris Steak House from 2009 to 2017.
Matt Graham
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Food Fight Restaurant Group
Matt Graham has been Chief Executive Officer at Food Fight Restaurant Group since October 2025, based in Madison, Wisconsin. Matt Graham was Vice President Operations at BOKA Restaurant Group from 2022 to 2025, Chief Operating Officer at Doughboy Restaurant Group from 2017 to 2022 and Managing Partner at Gibsons Restaurant Group from 2005 to 2017.
Mick Lamond
LinkedInExperience: President and CEO · Newport Restaurant Group
Mick Lamond has been President and CEO at Newport Restaurant Group since January 2025, based in Newport, Rhode Island. At Newport Restaurant Group, Mick Lamond was also Executive Vice President from 2023 to 2025 and Chief Financial Officer from 2005 to 2024, and was Chief Financial Officer at Newport Harbor Corporation from 2005 to 2019.
Paul Macaluso
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Torchy's Tacos
Paul Macaluso has been Chief Executive Officer at Torchy's Tacos since February 2025, based in Austin, Texas. Paul Macaluso was President & CEO at Another Broken Egg Cafe from 2019 to 2025, President & CEO at Krystal Restaurants LLC from 2018 to 2019 and President at McAlister's Deli from 2016 to 2018.
Ricky Richardson
LinkedInExperience: CEO · Eggs Up Grill
Ricky Richardson has been CEO at Eggs Up Grill since July 2018, based in Dallas, Texas. Ricky Richardson was President at TGI Fridays from 2013 to 2016, Chief Operating Officer at TGI Fridays from 2011 to 2012 and Global Chief Concept Officer at TGI Fridays from 2009 to 2011.
Ryan Zink
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Good Times Restaurants, Inc.
Ryan Zink has been Chief Executive Officer at Good Times Restaurants, Inc. since April 2020 and a Board Member there since 2021, based in Denver, Colorado. At Good Times Restaurants, Inc., Ryan Zink was also Acting Chief Executive Officer from 2019 to 2020 and CFO from 2017 to 2020, and has been a Director at the Colorado Restaurant Association & Foundation since 2024.
Scott Boatwright
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Chipotle Mexican Grill
Scott Boatwright has been Chief Executive Officer at Chipotle Mexican Grill since November 2024, based in Newport Beach, California. At Chipotle Mexican Grill, Scott Boatwright was also Interim Chief Executive Officer in 2024 and Chief Operating Officer from 2017 to 2024, and was Senior Vice President Operations at Arby's from 2015 to 2017.
Todd Penegor
LinkedInExperience: President & CEO · Papa Johns
Todd Penegor has been President & CEO at Papa Johns since August 2024, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Todd Penegor was President & Chief Executive Officer at The Wendy's Company from 2016 to 2024 and President and Chief Financial Officer there in 2016, and has been a Board Member at Dutch Bros Coffee since 2024.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's type of restaurant company, such as a fast casual chain, a franchisor or a multi-concept restaurant group, to the decision you face. Check when each person became CEO and which other roles they have held at the same company.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide where your leadership team should spend its time each year?
- 02What did you focus on first when you became CEO?
- 03How have you organized the executive team you lead, and what would you change next time?
Reaching CEOs in restaurants
How can I contact one of these CEOs in restaurants?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Fogo de Chão, Scratch Restaurants Group and The Melting Pot Restaurants, based on profile data retrieved on October 27, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach CEOs in restaurants?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. The offer is what the person receives, and Instant Expert's fee is added on top, so a $100 offer costs you $125. The fee is 20% of what you pay. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.