• by Teresa Buyikian , April 2, 2025

There’s a whole lotta shaking at the top for two of the U.S.’s largest QSR chains.

Earlier this week, after two months as interim CEO, Lance Tucker was named permanent CEO of Jack in the Box, effectively immediately. Tucker took on the interim role after the company announced that former CEO Darin Harris was stepping down “to take on a new position outside of the restaurant industry.”

Prior to his role as interim CEO, Tucker had served as CFO for the company since November. He also previously worked as the company’s CFO from Mar. 2018 to Sep. 2020. Additionally, Tucker will serve on the company’s board of directors, per the announcement.

“Lance brings decades of experience within the restaurant industry as well as a financial mind into the CEO role that is well-timed to match with the company's current priorities," said Dave Goebel, Jack in the Box chairman of the board, in the announcement. "

Earlier in his QSR career, Tucker spent over nine years at Papa John’s, beginning as senior vice president of strategy and chief of staff, and later rising to the brand’s CFO position.

“Given Tucker’s extensive experience with restaurant chains, he has the wherewithal to be a capable, smart chief executive,” said restaurant analyst John Gordon on SiliconValley.com. “But the jury’s still out on how well he can execute given the keen competition, especially in California.”

San Diego-based Jack in the Box currently operates approximately 2,200 U.S. restaurants across 22 states.

Meanwhile, also this week, P.F. Chang’s announced it had promoted Brad Hill to CEO. Hill had previously served as the company’s COO officer and CFO since joining in 2017. Outgoing CEO Eduardo Luz will transition into an advisory role through the end of April, per the announcement.

The Chinese food chain, which has approximately 300 restaurants in 22 countries, also appointed Corey Robertson as chief operating officer. Robertson joined the company over 18 years ago and  previously served as regional vice president for the Eastern U.S.