Yum! Brands promoted Sabir Sami, to KFC Division CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2022. Sami, a 12-year company veteran, currently serves as chief operating officer and managing director of KFC Asia. He will succeed Tony Lowings, who is stepping down as CEO at the end of 2021 in advance of his retirement in early 2022, per a company release announcing this transition.

Smoothie Factory opened its first two northeastern locations. But the growth comes with a twist: these units operate from inside two Friendly’s Restaurants and may be the sign of things to come.

Multiconcept operator Focus Brands promoted Mike Freeman to chief brand officer for its McAlister’s Deli chain.

Brian Jenkins will retire from his post as CEO and a member of the board of directors for Dave & Busters, effective Sept. 30, 2021. Kevin Sheehan, chair of Dave & Buster’s board of directors, will serve as interim CEO until eatertainment chain names a permanent successor.

Andrew Cathy will become CEO of Chick-fil-A effective Nov. 1, 2021. He will succeed his father, Dan Cathy, who has served as CEO since 2013. Following the CEO transition, Dan Cathy will remain chairman of the board.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe promoted Richard Key to chief operating officer from sr. vice president of operations.

Smallcakes Cupcakery and Creamery was acquired by The Derbyshire Group. Smallcakes opened its doors in 2008 in Overland Park, Kan., and has since grown to more than 180 locations across the United States.

Pink Taco turned to Stephan Schneider, an industry veteran with international experience, to serve as chief operating officer for the Mexican restaurant chain.

IHOP hired Jacob Barden to serve as vice president of development and Michael Kaufman to serve as vice president of strategy and business analytics.

Multiconcept operator FAT Brands continued its spending spree by agreeing to acquire Twin Peaks, a polished casual, sports-oriented chain, from investment firm Garnett Station Partners.

Wingstop promoted Michael Skipworth to president and chief operating officer for the chicken wing-centric restaurant chain. He replaces Mahesh Sadarangani, who resigned after being recruited to become CEO of a private equity-backed company, per a release announcing the transition.

Aaron Powell will become president of Yum! Brands’ Pizza Hut division, effective Sept. 20.

Fast-casual chain sweetgreen inked a deal to acquire Spyce, a Boston-based restaurant company powered by automation.

Tom Curtis has been appointed president of Burger King U.S. and Canada. Earlier this year Curtis joined Burger King as chief operating officer.

Rob Ertmann has joined Mo’Bettahs as president. Ertmann joins Mo’Bettahs during a planned growth spurt for the fast-casual restaurant chain that features a Hawaiian menu.

Multiconcept operator Uncle Julio’s Restaurant Group added the position of president to CEO Tom Vogel, the restaurant group’s CEO.

Fast-casual restaurant concept Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers tapped co-founder Scott Redler to fill the newly created role of chief experience officer.

La Madeleine French Bakery & Café opened three of ten planned express units in North Texas Walmart stores.

Pokeworks promoted Steve Heeley to CEO. He joined the company in March of 2021 as chief marketing officer.

In a move that its parent company feels may “turbo charge growth,” fast-casual restaurant chains Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels have come together to form Panera Brands. All three companies are under the ownership of JAB Holding Co. and together they have nearly 4,000 units systemwide.

Thomas Dritsas was introduced as the concept chef for Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar.

Two fast-casual chains have merged to form a single company. One Table Restaurant Brands consists of California-based concepts Tocaya and