Papa Murphy'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.

Specialties: Leadership, strategy, marketing, franchising, operations, development, real estate, sales management, mergers and acquisitions, international

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.

Don Fox is a restaurant industry veteran with 46 years of experience, predominately in the QSR and Fast Casual segments. His first job was scrubbing pots and pans at the dish sink of a local Italian restaurant in NJ. He began his management career in 1976 with Six Flags amusement parks. In 1980, he embarked upon a 23 year career with Burger King Corporation, which included assignments in R&D and field operations. Don joined Firehouse Subs in 2003 as Director of Franchise Compliance, rose to COO in 2005, and became CEO in 2009. Under his leadership, the brand has grown to over 1185 restaurants in 46 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. In 2011, Fox was awarded the Operator of the Year Award by Nation's Restaurant News. In 2013, he became a member of the National Restaurant Association's Board of Directors (now in his eight year of service) and received the association's Advocacy Award. Also in 2013, he received the Silver Plate Award from the International Food Manufacturers Association, and was named the #1 executive in the Fast Casual segment by FastCasual.com. In 2018 and 2019, he earned a spot on the list of the Florida 500 - Florida's Most Influential Business Leaders, Also in 2019, he was named an Industry Titan by Women's Food Service Forum. A board member of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association since 2013, he served as its chairman in 2017. He serves on boards in both the non-profit and for-profit arenas, both within and outside of the restaurant industry (among them, the Army Historical Foundation). Fox is also a published author. Among his works: "Patton's Vanguard - The United States Fourth Armored Division"​, published in 2003 (soft cover edition released in 2007) and "Final Battles of Patton's Vanguard," published in 2020. Fox is a frequent speaker and panelist at conferences and events both within and outside of the restaurant industry.

Ned Lyerly is the CEO at Carl's Jr. Restaurants Llc. Previously, Ned was the President, International at Carpinteria, California. Ned earned his Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Business Administration and Management, General from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Dave Scrivano is a President & CEO at Little Caesars.