Looking back at the past 12 months we’ve seen plenty of movement in the franchising leadership space. Some of our biggest brand leaders have moved away from the sector, or Australia. Others have shifted roles or joined the C-suite for the first time.
Here are just some of the movers and shakers of 2025.
Leaders who took their leave
Craveable Brands CEO Karen Bozic farewelled franchising and the chicken group she had led since 2019 to lead the education resources omnichannel business Modern Star.
Mid-year saw the Flynn Group’s Phil Reed leave Australia to take up the president and CEO roles at Domino’s France. Reed joined Pizza Hut Australia in 2018. Richard Wallis was appointed president, Flynn Group APAC.
Retail Food Group’s Matt Marshall left the business abruptly in July after five years with the company, two years as CEO.
Pack & Send’s Nicholas Woodward was another sudden exit. When parent company Fortidia acquired the Kwik Kopy business, Kwik Kopy’s CEO Sonia Shwabsky added Pack & Send leadership to her responsibilities.
Carlos Antonius, appointed global CEO at Chatime in June 2024, quietly exited the business in October this year.
Snap-On Tools’ boss Ajit Ponnambalam is heading towards retirement after nearly 34 years with the legacy mobile retailer. He takes on an emeritus managing director role, handing over the leadership reins to Paul Lynch.
Arthur McColl left Frontline and Express Employment after five years leading the ExpressPro Group in Australia. He remains on the board.
Richard Thame resigned from CouriersPlease in March, after the sale of the business to Pacific Equity as part of the FMH Group.
More major moves in fast food
McDonald’s boss Antoni Martinez left his CEO and managing director position, after nearly three years in the role. The group’s chief restaurant officer Joe Chiczewski too up the dual role. Chiczewski joined Maccas in 2012.
It’s been a revolving door at Domino’s over the last few years. Group CEO and managing director Mark van Dyck, who replaced long-standing boss Don Meij, announced in July he would leave in December 2025 after less than a year in the role. Chairman and major shareholder Jack Cowin stepped in to lead the business.
Meij’s sister, Kerri Hayman, stepped down from her ANZ CEO role in August, after 37 years with the pizza brand but less than 12 months leading the business.
Head of operations and former franchisee Greg Steenson was promoted to the COO role. George Saoud was appointed as CFO early in the year, and in September took on the group CFO role.
New in the hot seat
Retail Food Group executive Tom Elliott replaced Stephen Spurgin as CEO at Hog’s Breath.
Troy McDonagh left Betty’s Burgers and headed to Burger Urge, taking on an advisory board role.
Richard Hinson, whose career includes managing turnaround programs at RFG, took on leadership at The Coffee Club, while his predecessor, Scott Meneilly, shifted to Pedders.
Franchisee and area developer Daryl McCormack was picked to helm Zambrero after CEO Matthew Kenny left after five years. The restaurant chain snapped up former Domino’s leader Brett Moore as the new COO. His predecessor Brad Flinn shifted to the chief development officer role.
Peter Fiasco left his head of franchising role at Kwik Kopy to become the inaugural CEO at legacy retailer Hip Pocket Workwear & Safety.
Mark Newman exited Dymocks, ex Pandora boss David Allen joins the heritage business as CEO.
Schnitz appointed San Churro boss Kerri Wane to replace outgoing CEO Brenton Howie.
Most recently, David White took up the CEO role at Barbeques Galore under new ownership, replacing former Aldi-executive Alex Foster.
