Financing

Whataburger names Janelle Sykes CFO

The San Antonio-based burger chain also named Sylvester Johnson chief data and analytics officer.
whataburger
Photograph: Shutterstock

Whataburger on Monday said it has appointed Janelle Sykes the company’s new chief financial officer.

Sykes is a seasoned executive who spent the past 30 years with C.H. Guenther & Son, most recently as that company’s CFO.

She takes over for Ed Nelson, who has been promoted to company president. “Whataburger is growing and expanding, and Janelle has deep knowledge and experience on a wide range of business areas, not just finance, that will help the brand reach new heights,” Nelson said in a statement.

Whataburger also promoted Sylvester “Sly” Johnson to chief data and analytics officer. Johnson spent the past four years as the company’s chief accounting officer.

Johnson will oversee the strategic development for Whataburger’s data analysis and reporting. “Sly’s ability to analyze and synthesize data and explain it in a way that people can understand is incredible,” Nelson said. “He will be critical to helping Whataburger unlock the value of our data and put it to use as we continue to serve our loyal customers and attract new ones.”

The merchant bank BDT Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in the 830-unit Whataburger last year.

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