Here are recent leadership moves in the restaurant industry:
Billy “B.D.” Downs has been named president of Ford’s Garage, the Tampa, Florida-based burger-and-craft-beer concept designed to look like a vintage service station, the chain announced Thursday.
Downs, an industry veteran who also co-founded the B.D.’s Mongolian Grill concept, is a franchisee of Ford’s Garage in the Detroit area. He’ll continue managing that restaurant while leading the brand’s expansion. The 26-unit Ford’s Garage is part of the Vintage Hospitality Group.
Kevin Vasconi, Papa Johns | All photos courtesy of the brands.
Papa Johns has hired Kevin Vasconi as chief digital and technology officer. Vasconi comes to the chain from Wendy’s, where he worked with new Papa Johns CEO Todd Penegor. Vasconi also spent eight years working with Domino’s. Vasconi will guide Papa Johns’ long-term digital and technology strategy.
Brad West, chief operating officer of Noodles & Company, this week said he plans to retire on June 30, 2025. He has agreed to serve until a successor is found and then move to a chief of staff role for the CEO.
Jim Sullivan, Smashburger
Jim Sullivan has joined Smashburger as chief development officer. He officially started in June. Sullivan was previously CDO at Qdoba, and his resume includes leadership stints at CKE Restaurant Holdings, Friendly’s Ice Cream and American Hospitality Concepts.
Union Square Hospitality Group has named Rachel Kornafel to the role of SVP-marketing, which was effective Aug. 5. Kornafel is tasked with leading marketing efforts for the group’s full-service restaurants, as well as Daily Provisions and the collection of neighborhood kitchens, along with the advisory group Hospitality Quotient.
Charles (Chuck) Ballard is the new director of development for Yogurtland. His previous experience includes leading franchising for i Fratelli Pizza, and he has worked with Which ‘Wich and Nestle Toll House Café. He was an owner of Butch’s Barn Restaurant.
Brett Crowder is the new COO for NFA Burger, a popular concept in Georgia that is nestled in a Chevron gas station. Owner Billy Kramer has plans to grow the concept. Crowder has worked with the airport contractor H&H Hospitality, as well as Slutty Vegan, DASH Hospitality and Dantanna’s.
David Fingerman, Staypineapple Hotels
David Fingerman has been promoted to corporate chef for the Staypineapple Hotels brand. He was previously executive chef for Atwood Restaurant in the Staypineapple Chicago.
Kiplan Welsch, Via 313
Via 313 promoted Kiplan Welsch to president. Welsch had been VP of operations at the Austin-based, Detroit-style pizza chain since last July. Before that, he held various operations roles at Bluestone Hospitality, BJ’s Restaurants, Chili’s and P.F. Chang’s. Via 313 is growing and currently has 21 locations in three states.
Marie Grimm, Paradies Lagardère
Marie Grimm joins airport concessionaire Paradies Lagardère as VP of dining operations. In her new role, she will be responsible for more than 225 restaurants and bars across more than 40 different airports. Grimm previously served as the head of culinary at airport restaurateur OTG Management and has been on the culinary teams at Dine Global Brands and Darden Restaurants.
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