Cook Out competitors

Ned Lyerly was named Chief Executive Officer in April 2019, heading two brands, Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., with a global footprint of over 3,900 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 44 states and 42 foreign countries and U.S. territories. Lyerly leads CKE’s overarching business, people and development strategies to drive growth and profitability, bringing more than 35 years of restaurant operating experience to the role. Previously, Lyerly was the company’s President, International, responsible for the growth of the CKE international footprint to 900+ restaurants. Prior to that role, he was Executive Vice President of Global Franchise Development where he oversaw franchise development for the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. brands in the United States and around the world. Over his 35 year career with CKE, Lyerly has held positions in many functional disciplines including: Senior Vice President International, Vice President International, Director - International Finance and Marketing, Director - Domestic Finance (Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.) Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis (Imasco USA, Inc. / Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.). Lyerly is a Certified Franchise Executive and currently serves as a member of the International Franchise Association’s International Leadership Council. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Patrick Hilton is a Chief Executive Officer at Penguin Point and is based in Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area. He has worked as Vice President US Franchise Operations at Quiznos, Sr. Director of Operations and Analytics North America at Quiznos, and District Manager at Burger King. Patrick studied at Bloom Trail High School between 1987 and 1990.

Joe has worked as Chief Financial Officer at Culver Franchising System, Controller at Culver Franchising System, and President/CEO at Culver Franchising System.

Downing Barber is a Founder & CEO at Barberitos.

Jonathan Neman is a co-founder and co-CEO of Sweetgreen, a hip, farm-to-table style salad chain. Mr. Neman, along with Nicolas Jammet and Nathaniel Ru, opened the company’s first location in Washington D.C. in 2007, the same year they graduated from Georgetown University. Now, nine years later, the fast-food salad lunch option is nationwide. There are now 43 locations—and more opening every week. As of last summer, Sweetgreen raised a total of $95 million in venture funding. At the beginning of the year, the company moved its corporate headquarters from D.C. to Los Angeles, the better to fuel its westward expansion.

Ian Baines is a Chief Executive Officer at BURGERFI INTERNATIONAL INC.. He has worked as Senior VP:Strategic Innovation at BRINKER, President/COO at Jack Astors Bar & Grill, and President/CEO at Acfp Management Inc. Ian studied at Westminster College.