El Pollo Loco and Sterling Hospitality name new executives

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El Pollo Loco has named Jill Adams CMO. She served previously as vice president of marketing at Qdoba Mexican Eats, and, before that, held various leadership roles at Jack in the Box Inc. Most recently, Adams was the vice president of marketing for Mister Car Wash, where she launched the car wash chain’s first mobile app and e-commerce site, doubling membership in less than three years.

In her new role at El Pollo Loco, Adams will oversee marketing and brand strategy functions, including menu and new product development, advertising and public relations, as well as digital and social media and consumer engagement.

Johan Monterrat has been named director of food and beverage for the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco, which is home to the MKT Restaurant & Bar. Monterrat has been with the Four Seasons brand for eight years, serving previously at The Beverly Wilshire, as well as Four Seasons locations in Vancouver and Montreal.

Kaffee Hopkins has been promoted to vice president of marketing and administrative officer at Sterling Hospitality. She previously held the title of director of brand marketing at the Atlanta-based restaurant group, which operates the Marlow’s Tavern brand, as well as The Woodall and Sterling Culinary Management.

Edwin Bayone III is the new executive chef of Cavaña in San Francisco. Bayone, who has worked in the kitchens of concepts like Wayfare Tavern, Saison and Angler, was previously executive chef at Um.ma, where he was known for blending Seoul and soul food and earned a Michelin Bib mention. Cavana is a rooftop cocktail bar concept by Brick x Brick Hospitality Group and True Hospitality.

Texas-based Houston Hospitality Alliance (HHA) has named Jonathan Horowitz its first president. Formerly known as the Greater Houston Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, the HHA hopes to bring Houston’s hospitality industry to a new chapter. Horowitz has served in leadership roles at Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company, Legacy Restaurants (Original Ninfa’s and Antone’s Po-Boys) and Lasco Enterprises (The Tasting Room and Max’s Wine Dive.) He is also chair of the Texas Restaurant Association board.

Summit Restaurant Group has named Sara Murray to the role of director of marketing. Murray brings two decades of experience to the role. In the past, she has worked with local ad agency giants, held in-house roles and worked as a freelancer. In the new role, she aims to expand the groups customer base.

Also this week, Beans & Brews named  former Del Taco Executive, Chad Gretzema, CEO.

Bloomin’ Brands is eliminating the role of COO of casual dining, held by longtime executive Gregg Scarlett. The role is being eliminated due to “organizational design changes.”

And  last month, Martha Stewart stepped down from the Board of BurgerFi.

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