Restaurants
10 CFOs in restaurants
These ten chief financial officers lead finance at restaurant companies, including full-service and casual dining chains, restaurant groups and a Taco Bell franchisee. A reader can learn from them how restaurant finance leaders approach unit economics, planning and capital decisions across many locations.
Professionals to explore
01—10Anshul Bhayana
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · Nando's India
Chief Financial Officer at Nando's India since March 2022, a company listed as a restaurants business. The profile also lists Finance Director (2020–2022) and Finance Controller (2016–2022) at Nando's India, Head of Finance & Admin - South Asia at Sainsbury's (2014–2016) and Finance Manager at Bain & Company (2009–2014).
Ben Walsh
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer and Vice President · MAS Restaurant Group
Chief Financial Officer and Vice President at MAS Restaurant Group since June 2021, and its Chief Financial Officer from 2018 to 2021; MAS is described as a Taco Bell franchisee. Former Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis at California Pizza Kitchen (2016–2018) and Director of Financial Planning & Analysis - Applebee's and IHOP at Dine Brands Global (2015–2016).
Eric Easton
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · TGI Fridays
Chief Financial Officer at TGI Fridays since January 2025, a casual dining chain restaurant, and listed as Chief Financial Officer at Ampex Brands since October 2019. Former Chief Financial Officer at On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina (2024–2025) and at Fatz Southern Kitchen (2017–2019).
Eric Swanson
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer · Pappas Restaurants, Inc.
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer at Pappas Restaurants, Inc. since May 2021, with a Chief Financial Officer row there from January 2020, and Director of Finance at the same company from 2018 to 2020. Former Managing Director - Investment Banking at GulfStar Group (2015–2018) and Executive Director - Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley (2007–2015).
Harsh Chowdhary
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · goop kitchen
Chief Financial Officer at goop kitchen since October 2024; goop kitchen is described as a chef-driven, delivery-first restaurant concept launched in 2020. Former Chief Financial Officer (2022–2024), Vice President of Finance (2020–2022) and Sr. Director of Finance & Strategy (2019–2020) at California Pizza Kitchen.
Jay Rooney
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · RAVE Restaurant Group, Inc.
Chief Financial Officer at RAVE Restaurant Group, Inc. since March 2024. Former Chief Financial Officer (2018–2024) and Vice President of Accounting and Finance (2017–2018) at Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., and Director of Financial Planning and Analysis (2015–2017) and Director of Finance, Chili's brand (2010–2015) at Brinker International.
Kevin Kalicak
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · Portillo's
Chief Financial Officer at Portillo's since September 2026; Portillo's is described as a Chicago street food restaurant chain serving hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches and burgers. Former Senior Vice President of Finance - Olive Garden at Darden, a role the profile lists from 1997 to 2026.
Marcus Hewitt
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · Perkins American Food Co.
Chief Financial Officer at Perkins American Food Co. since August 2017, a restaurants company operating Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, after serving as its Corporate Controller (2016–2017). Former Vice President & Corporate Controller at Covenant Dove, LLC (2013–2016) and Financial Controller at gategourmet (2005–2006).
Nathan Fegely
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · Founding Farmers Restaurant Group
Chief Financial Officer at Founding Farmers Restaurant Group since June 2020. Other roles listed at the same restaurant group are Senior Vice President of Finance (2018–2020) and Vice President Of Finance (2012–2020); the profile also shows Controller at International Spy Museum (2010–2012).
Vance Chang
LinkedInExperience: Chief Financial Officer · Dine Brands Global
Chief Financial Officer at Dine Brands Global since June 2021; Dine Brands is described as a full-service restaurant company that franchises its brands. Former Chief Financial Officer at Exer Urgent Care (2019–2021) and at Yogaworks (2016–2019), Head of Finance at Pressed Juicery (2013–2016) and Vice President Investment Banking at Moelis & Company (2007–2013).
Choose the right perspective
Match the CFO's business model to your own, since a franchisor, a franchisee and a company that owns and runs its own restaurants manage cash, margins and growth differently. Also read each person's other roles, which show whether they came up inside restaurant finance or brought experience from investment banking and other industries.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide whether a new restaurant location will earn back its build-out cost, and what do you track after it opens?
- 02Which cost lines move margins most in a restaurant business, and how do you manage them through price and wage changes?
- 03How does the finance function differ between running company-owned restaurants and running a franchise system?
Reaching CFOs in restaurants
How can I contact one of these CFOs 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 Nando's India, MAS Restaurant Group and TGI Fridays, based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach CFOs in restaurants?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. 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 and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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