Photo Credits: Applebee’s, KFC, Lettuce Entertain You, Outback Steakhouse and Slim Chickens
TONY MORALEJO President Applebee’s
SCOTT MEZVINSKY CEO
KFC Division
CATHERINE TAN-GILLESPIE President KFC U.S.
R.J. MELMAN CEO
Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants
CHIEF OPERATOR CHANGES Applebee’s
Dine Brands Global, the parent company of Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, and IHOP, announced that Tony Moralejo has stepped down as Applebee’s president and will serve as an advisor to the company through June 4, 2025. John Peyton, CEO of Dine Brands, will assume the role of interim Applebee’s president while continuing in his current capacity. “Tony and I share a deep respect for the DNA of Applebee’s,
and we are all grateful for his contributions since he took on this role two years ago,” Peyton said. “He has navigated a challenging economic environment, led an outstanding team and strengthened our relationships with franchisees.” The company has initiated a nationwide search for a new leader for Applebee’s with proven expertise in brand stewardship, restaurant operations and marketing. In the meantime, Peyton will oversee the brand, collaborating with the executive team and franchisees to capitalize on growth opportunities across key areas, including digital experience, menu innovation, in-restaurant dining, off-premise, and domestic expansion.
KFC Yum! Brands promoted Scott Mezvinsky to KFC Division CEO. He succeeds Sabir Sami, who stepped down as KFC CEO at the end of February 2025. Mezvinsky will assume global responsibility for driving brand strategy and performance. Prior to his most recent role, Mezvinsky was Taco Bell’s global chief strategy and financial officer, leading the finance, development and strategy functions to help reach the company’s goal of becoming a $20 billion brand. Since joining Yum! Brands in 2004, Mezvinsky has held various roles at KFC and Yum!, including general manager of KFC Iberia. In addition to Mezvinsky’s promotion, KFC named Catherine
Tan-Gillespie as president of KFC U.S., effective April 1, 2025. She replaces Tarun Lal, who will retire after more than 30 years with the popular fried chicken restaurant.
56 FEDA News & Views
PAT HAFNER President
Outback Steakhouse Lettuce Entertain You
R.J. Melman has been named the new CEO of Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants. He will also continue to serve as president of the Chicago-based restaurant group. Since Melman was named president in 2017, Lettuce has successfully expanded to new markets, including Austin, Miami and Orlando, with Nashville and Dallas coming soon. Melman and his partners are also the founders of the award-winning country music and BBQ festival, Windy City Smokeout. “When I look at R.J., it solidifies my belief in Lettuce’s
future,” founder Rich Melman said in a press release. Outback Steakhouse
Pat Hafner was named the executive vice president and president of Outback Steakhouse. In his new role, Hafner is responsible for leading the company’s culinary team, domestic operations and development for nearly 700 Outback Steakhouse restaurants nationwide. Hafner began his restaurant career at Outback Steakhouse in 1996 as a server and cook. He went on to hold increasing higher-level roles, including manager, managing partner, junior vice president, and ultimately regional vice president for Outback Steakhouse. His successes laid the foundation for a transition to the Carrabba’s team as vice president of operations in 2018. He was promoted to president of Carrabba’s in 2022.
Slim Chickens
Slim Chickens has named Greg Vojnovic as its new chief development officer. He brings more than three decades of experience in restaurant development, franchise growth and strategic real estate planning to the company. Vojnovic previously served eight years as chief development
officer for Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and three years in the same role for Arby’s Restaurant Group. He was also the chief development officer for Inspire Brands, where he led transformational growth initiatives for some of the industry’s most well-known brands, including Buffalo Wild Wings.
GREG VOJNOVIC Chief Development Officer Slim Chickens
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