Who will be the CFO and CMO of CKE?

CKE has announced the appointment of Jennifer Tate as Chief Marketing Officer and Mike Lenihan as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, as part of a significant leadership change, according to the company’s announcement on Wednesday.

This move comes as CKE has experienced substantial changes in leadership this year, starting with the appointment of Max Wetzel, former COO of Papa John’s, as CEO in March. Note that CKE Restaurants Holdings is the parent organization for the Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, Green Burrito, and Red Burrito brands.

Tate and Lenihan are joining the company during a pivotal period as it embarks on a $500 million rebranding and renovation initiative that will impact hundreds of its restaurants. Both executives have extensive experience working with brands undergoing major transformations.

Jennifer Tate served as the CMO at Cracker Barrel for three years and has more than a decade of experience in brand management and marketing at Olive Garden. During her tenure in these roles, Tate played a significant role in rejuvenating and renewing the respective brands.

According to the press release states, “At Cracker Barrel, Jennifer Tate successfully led the evolution of the menu and the advertising strategy and put in place a new off premises business plan that led to sustained growth.” Her contributions also extended to areas such as innovation, digital guest experiences, and data-driven marketing.

During her time as Head of Marketing at Olive Garden, Tate was credited with leading a “brand renaissance,” according to the press release. Mike Lenihan, who has joined CKE from Yum Brands, where he held various roles for two decades, also brings experience from a major brand undergoing substantial transformation.

“While part of the Yum! Corporate team Mike Lenihan led transformative initiatives that successfully changed the company’s operating model and resulted in significant shareholder value creation,” the press release highlights.

The ongoing renovation and rebranding effort, announced in May, will encompass holistic renovations, technological advancements, and streamlined operations.

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