Tampa fast-food chain names former Starbucks exec new CEO

For the second time this week, a Tampa restaurant giant has named a new CEO. 

First was Outback Steakhouse parent Bloomin’ Brands, which named former Delta Airlines COO Michael Spanos its CEO on Monday. 

Checkers Drive-In Restaurants

Next up is Checkers Drive-In Restaurants Inc., parent of Checkers & Rally’s drive-thru restaurants, which announced its new CEO in a Wednesday morning statement. The new leader of the brand, with 800 locations, is Chris Tebben, who has held leadership posts with Mars, Starbucks, P.F. Chang's China Bistro and Pizza Hut, among others, according to a statement. 

Tebben’s position is effective Sept. 4. He succeeds Frances Allen, who announced in April she was stepping down as president and CEO of the company in order to focus on board work. "I have been honored to lead Checkers & Rally's for nearly five years, and I am proud of all that the organization accomplished, especially given the unprecedented challenges of COVID, staffing and inflationary pressures," says Allen, president and CEO of Checkers since February 2020. 

According to the statement, Tebben’s experience includes: 

• President of Mars Retail Group, where he led the M&M's retail arm of high-profile flagship stores worldwide. 
• Eight years at Starbucks, including leading the expansion of Starbucks Reserve, opening U.S.-based and international locations
• Led the opening of the largest Starbucks in the world: Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago
• Was vice president of retail strategy and vice president of licensed stores. In that role he led all marketing, digital transformation and product management initiatives in the U.S. and Latin America
• Was vice president of Starbucks' multibillion-dollar Frappuccino and Tea business
• Chief marketing officer of Pizza Hut in the UK and Ireland. 

"After a thorough search process, we are very pleased to welcome Chris to the Checkers & Rally's organization. His comprehensive experience in nearly every aspect of restaurant leadership, coupled with his proven track record of delivering sales, traffic, and unit growth, make him a perfect fit to take these brands to the next level," Checkers & Rally's Independent Board Member David Barr says in the release. “On behalf of the entire Checkers & Rally's family, I would like to thank Frances Allen for her leadership and dedicated service, and we wish her the best on all her future plans."

Checkers has some 4,700 employees and nearly 150 franchise partners. Sales at the company, after a drop in 2021 from the previous year, rose 4.2% in 2022, to $890 million. Sales figures for 2023 weren’t disclosed. 

"I am fortunate to be inheriting the strong foundation that Frances and the team have put in place, and I am honored that the board has entrusted me to steward the Checkers & Rally's brands into their next chapter of profitable growth," Tebben says in the release. "I couldn't be more excited to lead these two iconic brands that have endured for over 40 years by serving up craveable burgers and the best fries in the business, while delivering a tremendous value proposition for both customers and franchisees.”