John Haywood was named CEO of Garden Fresh Restaurants, the multiconcept operator that owns Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes. He replaces Gene Baldwin, who held the position on an interim basis. Baldwin retains his post on Garden Fresh Restaurants’ board of directors.

Haywood’s background includes working as chief concept officer and chief marketing officer for Carrols Corporation’s Hispanic Restaurant Division, interim CEO of Don Shula’s Steakhouses and vice president of food & beverage for Black Angus.

Garden Fresh Restaurants operates 97 restaurants in 9 states.