TGI Fridays hired Ray Risley to serve as U.S. president and chief operating officer and Nik Rupp as president of international markets and chief financial officer.

Risley assumes responsibility for the supervision and management of the operational facets and performance standards of all TGI Fridays establishments within the United States, including both company-owned and franchised units. Risley joins TGI Fridays after serving as CEO of Via 313 Pizzeria. Prior to that, he was president and COO of Front Burner Society. His background also includes leadership roles at Del Frisco's Restaurant Group.

In his new role, Rupp will oversee the financial strategy of TGI Fridays with an emphasis in accounting, finance and capital structure, as well as focus on growth and managing relationships with international franchisees. Mr. Rupp most recently held the role of COO at Papa Murphy's International.

These moves come less than two months after TGI Fridays appointed Weldon Spangler as CEO for the casual dining chain.