Multiconcept operator Yum! Brands will promote Shannon Hennessy to CEO of The Habit Burger Grill Division, effective June 6.
Hennessy, who currently serves as president of The Habit Burger Grill Division, will succeed Russ Bendel, who will retire at the beginning of June.
As President of The Habit Burger Grill, Hennessy has overseen development, franchising, marketing and international expansion. Hennessy joined Yum! in 2020 as the chief financial officer of KFC Global Division, where her role included overseeing the brand’s global financial planning, supply chain management and strategy functions.
Bendel joined The Habit in 2008, growing the brand from 16 restaurants to approximately 350 restaurants by the end of 2022. During his tenure Bendel led a brand transformation that introduced drive-thrus and digital order channels. Prior to joining The Habit, Bendel served as president and COO of The Cheesecake Factory. Bendel’s career also includes tenures as president and CEO of Mimi’s Café, president of Roy’s Restaurants, a franchise partner of Outback Steakhouse in California and COO of El Torito Restaurants and Panda Express.
