Kahala Brands competitors

As Chairman and CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Brian Niccol is responsible for driving the overall brand strategy and performance of over 2,700 restaurants in North America and Europe. He is passionate about Chipotle's purpose of Cultivating a Better World and bringing a truly unique dining experience to consumers. Niccol takes pride in leading a purpose-driven brand offering extraordinary ingredients that are not only fresh, but that are raised responsibly, with respect for the animals, land, and people who produce them.

Gene Lee was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Darden Restaurants, Inc. in February 2015 after serving as Interim CEO since October 2014. Gene brings more than 30 years of restaurant operating experience to the role, which ranges from early stage high-growth concepts to large high-volume chains.

Brandon Solano has built a reputation as one of the most creative and unconventional leaders in the foodservice industry. As CEO of RAVE Restaurant Group, Inc. Solano has been challenged to drive profitable traffic, improve competitiveness and improve bottom-line results at both Pizza Inn and Pie Five Pizza. Prior to joining RAVE, Solano served as Chief Marketing & Digital Officer of fast-casual concept Pei Wei Asian Kitchen, where he recorded the best positive traffic the brand had seen in seven years. He began his restaurant career with Domino’s Pizza in 2008, where he led the 2010 “New & Inspired” pizza launch as Vice President of Innovation. He later served as Vice President of Development for Domino’s, where he designed the “Pizza Theatre” concept and created the “Fortress Seattle” model market strategy, where he led operations. Prior to his Pei Wei tenure, Solano served as Chief Marketing Officer of Wendy’s, where he drove positive traffic for the first time in 10 years and created the brand’s successful 4 for $4 deal. Raised in Flint, Michigan, Solano holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University and an MBA from the University of Notre Dame. He and his partner, Kristin, live on a sustainable urban farm in Southlake, Texas, with goats, chickens, honeybees, 20 varieties of vegetables and four semi-tame teenagers.

Todd Penegor joined the Company in June 2013 and was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in May 2016. Mr. Penegor previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company from September 2013 to May 2016. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Penegor worked at Kellogg Company, a global leader in food products, from 2000 to 2013, where he held several key leadership positions, including Vice President of Kellogg Company and President of U.S. Snacks from 2009 to June 2013, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Kellogg Europe from 2007 to 2009, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Kellogg USA and Kellogg Snacks from 2002 to 2007. Prior to joining Kellogg Company, Mr. Penegor worked for 12 years at Ford Motor Company in various positions, including strategy, mergers and acquisitions, the controller’s office and treasury.

Niren is a student Harvard Business School starting in 2016 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts. He is a Chief Executive Officer at PANERA BREAD CO. Niren has worked as President Global KFC at YUM BRANDS INC, President at KFC, and President at Yum! Restaurants India. He attended Faculty of Management Studies between 1984 and 1986, Bard College, and Delhi Public School - R. K. Puram between 1977 and 1981.