Max & Erma's 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.

Jerry Morgan is a President at TEXAS ROADHOUSE, INC. and is based in Lewisville, Texas. He has worked as Managing Partner at TEXAS ROADHOUSE, INC. and Regional Market Partner at TEXAS ROADHOUSE, INC.. Jerry attended McLennan Community College.

Frances Allen joined Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc. as President and CEO in February of 2020. Ms. Allen comes to Checkers & Rally’s with a proven track record of success in the restaurant industry and deep expertise across brand strategy, menu and marketing, franchising, restaurant technology, and restaurant operations, among other disciplines. Most recently, Ms. Allen served as Chief Executive Officer of Boston Market, where she implemented a multi-faceted transformation plan setting up the brand for future growth. Prior to Boston Market, Ms. Allen served as President of Jack-in-the-Box from 2014 to 2018, where she held full strategic and operational responsibility for the 2,200-unit, $3 billion hamburger quick service restaurant chain, generating superior results and upgrading the quality of the menu. Allen’s prior leadership experience includes successful tenures as Chief Brand Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at Denny’s Corporation, where she helped lead a successful turnaround and repositioned the brand as “America’s Diner,” and as Chief Marketing Officer of Dunkin’ Donuts USA, where she played a key role in elevating the brand from a regional to a national player. She has also held leadership roles at Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, PepsiCo, and Frito-Lay. In addition to her role as the President and CEO of Checkers & Rally’s, Allen serves on the advisory board of No Kid Hungry.

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.