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The quick-service restaurant industry is evolving at record speed – and the women guiding today’s leading brands are driving its next era of growth. From fast-casual innovators to franchise powerhouses, restaurant leaders are redefining how modern concepts scale, innovate and compete in a rapidly shifting landscape.
This International Women’s Day spotlight highlights executives transforming quick-service and fast-casual organizations across marketing, operations, franchise development, technology and investment. Across legacy names and emerging growth concepts alike, these leaders are expanding market presence, strengthening franchise networks and building people-first cultures designed to endure.
The following quick-service and fast-casual brands, and the women behind their momentum, are shaping the future of the industry:
Audrey Bolton
Director of Operations
Cheba Hut
Audrey Bolton began her career with a bachelor’s degree in Sports, Entertainment, and Event Management from Johnson & Wales University before starting at the ground level with the brand. She worked her way up from General Manager to opening three Las Vegas locations as a District Manager, spent time in New Store Openings / L&D, and now leads system-wide operations from headquarters. Known for creating intentional space for growth, Audrey is passionate about developing women in leadership; providing the tools, coaching, and opportunities to build confidence and skills that translate into long-term success. Her homegrown journey has fueled a deep commitment to fostering diversity, building leadership pipelines where women thrive, and ensuring those who may not traditionally have a seat at the table feel seen, valued, and prepared to succeed both within the brand and throughout the restaurant industry.
Jodi Boyce
Chief Marketing Officer
Teriyaki Madness
Jodi Boyce is a 25-year veteran in restaurant & franchise marketing and serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for Teriyaki Madness (TMAD). Her extensive career includes stints with Smashburger, Einstein Bros Bagels, Quiznos, and various marketing agencies, but her claim to fame is driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile around the country as a Hotdogger, doing marketing, PR and promotions right out of college. Jodi’s role at TMAD includes overseeing the Marketing Team and the internal R&D Team (MadLabs). She’s tasked with finding new avenues for revenue for the brand including technology integrations that not only increase sales but also create a seamless customer experience.
Linda Chadwick
President and Chief Executive Officer
Rita’s Italian Ice
A dedicated professional to the franchising industry, Linda has served over twenty-five years supporting the growth of franchisees. With today’s pace of change being exponential, navigating and brands transformation has been one of Linda’s legacies. Linda most recently served as the President and CEO of Dessange Group North America where she translated a new vision and strategy for the brand in a highly dynamic industry. In 2013 Linda joined Dessange Group North America as the President and Chief Operating Officer for the Fantastic Sams brand where she implemented new growth strategies capitalizing on the opportunities in the chain and industry. Prior to her time spent in the beauty industry, Linda spent over 20 years with Burger King Corporation, where she held the role of Division Vice President, Southeast. Linda was a champion of the brand where she inspired, energized and connected with the franchisees and customers.
Kim Collura
Vice President of Marketing
Jason’s Deli
Kim Collura is Vice President of Marketing at Jason’s Deli, where she has led the brand’s marketing strategy since 2023. An action-driven leader, Kim is known for building brands, driving growth in new market segments, and translating consumer insights into impactful, executable strategies. She brings deep expertise in Millennial and K-12 consumers and a proven track record in new product development. Prior to Jason’s Deli, Kim held senior marketing and operations roles at Pizza Hut and CiCi’s Pizza, where she led breakthrough product innovation, next-generation concept development and integrated marketing strategies that significantly increased sales and brand relevance. She began her career at Yum! Brands in supply chain and program management, giving her a uniquely holistic perspective on brand growth from ideation through execution. Kim earned her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Arlington and later received her MBA from Southern Methodist University.
Hillary Frei
Chief Marketing Officer
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Hillary Frei is a marketing executive and full-stack brand leader who has driven significant growth for iconic consumer brands including Cheerios, FAO Schwarz, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Big Chill Appliances, and Handel’s Ice Cream. Trained in finance, she brings a rare combination of analytical rigor and creative brand building, consistently delivering double-digit and market-leading revenue growth. Hillary began her career in investment banking before transitioning to marketing at General Mills, where she managed multiple flagship brands and earned top innovation and financial performance awards. She later served as Vice President of Marketing at Pediped Footwear, Chief Marketing Officer and President of Big Chill Appliances, and General Manager of FAO Schwarz, growing FAO.com revenue more than 40%. Hillary has also held the role of Chief Marketing Officer at Wetzel’s Pretzels, overseeing marketing for a 450-store chain. She currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer of Handel’s Ice Cream, leading consumer marketing for the 80-year-old legacy brand.
Kelly Gray
Vice President and Co-Owner
Hot Head Burritos
Kelly is part of the ownership team of Hot Head Burritos Franchising and the Vice President and Co-Founder of Rapid Fired Pizza. Kelly oversees real estate for the Hot Head Burritos and Rapid Fired Pizza brands – handling new site selection, review and acquisition in addition to lease renewals. She has been a licensed real estate professional for 15 years and is a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) of the Board of Realtors. Kelly has her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. She is also an adjunct professor at Sinclair Community College, teaching Real Estate Investing.
Julie Hargis
Director of Culinary
Starbird
Julie Hargis is the Director of Culinary Operations & Purchasing at Starbird Chicken, where she has been a key leader since 2021. She brings more than 20 years of experience across fast-casual, full-service hotel, and casual dining concepts. She holds a culinary degree from Kendall College in Chicago and has built a strong career in research and development, menu innovation, and operational excellence, with more than a decade supporting multi-unit restaurant brands and food manufacturers. Prior to joining Starbird, Julie served as Director of Culinary Innovation at BJ’s Restaurants and as Corporate Chef for Outback Steakhouse, leading recipe development, market testing, limited-time offers, kitchen operations, and training initiatives. In her current role, she oversees culinary operations, supply chain management, and purchasing strategy to support Starbird’s continued growth and commitment to quality.
Huston Hoffman
Director of Real Estate
Cheba Hut
As the Director of Real Estate at Cheba Hut Franchising, Huston Hoffman is a leader whose strategic vision and dedication to growth have been transformative to the brand’s real estate strategy and execution for expansion. With over a decade of experience in commercial real estate, she has guided Cheba Hut into new markets, enhancing its national footprint, and has played a pivotal role in expanding the brand’s reach in the fast casual dining sector. Hoffman has also played a key role in leveraging data to better understand and identify Cheba Hut’s core customer base, using insights to strategically position the brand in high-potential locations that resonate with its audience. Her focus on site selection, market analysis, and negotiation has been key to positioning Cheba Hut as a standout in a competitive industry. Hoffman’s ability to identify high-potential locations and foster strong relationships with franchisees and stakeholders has allowed Cheba Hut to scale rapidly while maintaining the brand’s unique identity and community-driven values. In addition to her expertise in real estate, Hoffman is known for her collaborative leadership style, and her unwavering commitment to inclusivity, making her a true trailblazer for women in the foodservice and franchising industries.
Carmela Hughley
Senior Vice President of Marketing Insights and Innovation
Rita’s Italian Ice
Stepping into the role of Senior Vice President of Marketing Insights and Innovation is Carmela Hughley, a marketing maven with over 25 years of industry expertise under her belt. Hughley’s impressive track record at Madison Reed speaks volumes about her prowess in driving consumer brand strategy and operational excellence. Most recently, she led Madison Reed’s expansion from three to 87 locations in three years. At Rita’s, she steers the ship when it comes to marketing strategy, customer insights, and pioneering new avenues for innovation. The ultimate goal? To elevate the customer experience, forge deeper connections with patrons, and pave the way for sustainable long-term growth for the brand.
Mariah Marshall
Marketing Manager
Starbird
In her role, Mariah supports brand, digital, loyalty, franchise, and community marketing initiatives across corporate and franchise locations. She is known for building scalable systems, translating strategy into execution, and working closely with cross-functional teams in fast-paced environments. Colleagues describe her as a collaborative, solutions-driven leader who brings clarity and momentum to complex initiatives. Mariah has supported the marketing execution of 9 restaurant openings at Starbird, with ownership of major brand, digital, and community workstreams. Her experience also includes launching loyalty and CRM ecosystems, overseeing website and digital experience transformations, and scaling community-driven fundraising and event programs. She has partnered with hospitality brands such as Hyatt and Marriott Hotels, franchise restaurant brands including Round Table Pizza and The Original Mel’s Diner, as well as clients across nonprofit and manufacturing sectors.
Tonya McCoy
Vice President of Marketing
Angry Chickz
Tonya is a dynamic marketing leader with over 28 years of expertise in foodservice marketing, franchise growth and development. Known for transforming sales performance, Tonya has driven a 63% increase in territory unit sales through strategic, data-driven marketing approaches. She’s managed multi-million-dollar marketing budgets, overseeing the successful execution of campaigns across thousands of restaurant locations, while fostering collaboration with franchisees and stakeholders to ensure brand consistency and profitability. A key player in increasing business growth by 1400%, Tonya has also been recognized with multiple industry awards for innovative marketing strategies and operational excellence. Her deep understanding of the foodservice landscape and commitment to building strong partnerships continue to fuel long-term success in the industry.
Kathleen McMurray
Director of Training
Starbird
Kathleen McMurray is a hospitality and learning leader with over 20 years of experience spanning restaurants, hotels, fine dining, catering, and digital strategy. As Director of Learning & Development at Starbird, she leads scalable training and leadership development for a rapidly growing QSR brand. Kathleen has also worked as a consultant, helping hospitality companies grow digital revenue through data-driven marketing strategies. She holds an MBA from UC Davis, a Culinary Arts certification from Boise State University, and is a Certified Hospitality Trainer (CHT).
Mimi Meyer
Franchise Sales Manager
Cheba Hut
Meet Mimi Meyer, Franchise Sales Manager at Cheba Hut, where culture, connection, and killer sandwiches come together. With 20 years of experience in relationship management and business development, Mimi knows that the real secret to sustainable growth isn’t just the numbers – it’s the people behind them.
Known for her people-first approach, Mimi specializes in building authentic, meaningful franchise relationships, because at Cheba Hut, culture leads everything we do. She manages the full franchise sales journey, from lead generation to guiding candidates through the sales process, all while keeping the relationships rolling well beyond the close.
Mimi pairs strong communication skills and sharp sales acumen with a genuine passion for operational models and the legal frameworks that guide franchise ownership, helping candidates fully understand what it means to join this culture powerhouse. Bottom line: Mimi’s here to grow the Cheba Hut fam the right way – one good vibe at a time.
Madison Newcomb
Director of Marketing
Newk’s Eatery
Madison Newcomb is Director of Marketing at Newk’s Eatery, where she leads strategic brand initiatives that drive growth and deepen guest engagement. With Newk’s since 2017, Madison progressed through key marketing roles – including Marketing Coordinator and Marketing Manager – before stepping into her current leadership position in 2025, bringing extensive experience in brand strategy and franchise support. Based in Dallas, she holds a degree in Marketing and Public Relations from the University of Mississippi. In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Madison plays a pivotal role in Newk’s Cares, the company’s philanthropic effort against ovarian cancer, continuing the mission founded by her late mother to raise awareness and research funding.
Jennifer Schuler
Chief Executive Officer
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
Jennifer Schuler is the Chief Executive Officer of Handel’s Ice Cream, a fast-growing premium ice cream franchise founded in 1945, now boasting over 140 units and more than 70 franchisees across 15 states. A results-driven leader, she brings extensive experience scaling and strengthening consumer brands. Prior to Handel’s, Schuler served as CEO of Wetzel’s Pretzels, where she led a 365-unit national chain and became the company’s first female CEO, overseeing innovation, franchise growth, and brand expansion. Her earlier career includes leadership roles at General Mills, a private equity-backed consumer healthcare company, and an education technology startup. Known for driving brand advocacy through social media, product innovation, and new store formats, Schuler has been recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News as one of the “Most Influential Women in Food Service” and “Most Influential CEOs.” She is a California native and holds a BA from Pomona College and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Andie Smirl
Director of Franchise Sales
Houston TX Hot Chicken
Andie Smirl serves as Director of Franchise Sales at Houston TX Hot Chicken, leading the recruitment and support of franchise partners to fuel the brand’s national growth. She brings nearly a decade of experience in franchise operations and development, including key roles at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa. Since joining HHC in 2025, Smirl has played a pivotal role in expanding the franchise program as the brand surpasses 100 units sold and continues to grow rapidly. She is passionate about helping franchise partners succeed and building an energized franchise community that reflects the brand’s devoted following and dynamic culture.
Shauna Smith
Managing Director
Savory Fund
Shauna is an accomplished executive leader with more than 15 years of experience at the helm of Food & Beverage organizations. Shauna has been integral in developing, acquiring, and operating over 400 restaurants across a dozen states since 2008. Cumulatively, these establishments have raked in sales north of $2.5 billion, offering employment opportunities to over 40,000 individuals. Her primary focus is elevating operational efficiencies and accelerating revenue growth across the various brands in the Savory portfolio. With an operational depth supported by a 70-person value-add team, she directly supervises the senior leaders of each portfolio company to ensure both strategic and tactical objectives are met. This remarkable growth trajectory earned the firm multiple accolades, including back-to-back fast-growth awards from Restaurant Monitor, as well as eight appearances on Inc. Magazine’s prestigious Inc. 500 list – a testament to its rapid expansion and success.
Beyond her organizational achievements, Shauna herself has been the recipient of several distinguished industry awards. She was featured on the cover of Franchise Times in both November 2018 and May 2023 and was honored by Utah Business Magazine as one of the “30 Women to Watch” in 2019. Furthermore, she received the prestigious CXO of the Year award in 2020, and the CEO of the Year award in 2022 by Utah Business.
Shelley Wolford
Chief People Officer
Golden Corral
Shelley Wolford has worked in the hospitality industry for 30 years. She joined the extended leadership team at Golden Corral Corporation thirteen years ago, first as Vice President of National Marketing for six years, before moving into a senior leadership role as Senior Vice President of Strategy & Communications. Shelley’s role later expanded to Chief People Officer, which includes leadership responsibility for Human Resources while retaining her strategy and communications responsibilities.
Shelley also dedicates time to advancing meaningful industry causes through her roles as Past Chair and Board Trustee for the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association Foundation, Advisory Board member for the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, and Executive Steering Committee member for the Prosper Forum. In 2022, she was appointed by the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives to the North Carolina Education and Workforce Innovation Commission. This commission, which includes educators and community leaders, aims to create an effective and efficient workforce development system that addresses the current and future needs of both workers and businesses. Recently, she was named Vice Chair of the commission. Shelley received her B.S. in Hotel and Food Administration from Boston University and an MBA from Georgetown University.
Courtesy of Champion
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