Frank Hayes has stepped down as CEO of the circa 40-strong casual dining business to pursue other opportunities having navigated the business through Covid and its aftermath.
Honest Burgers says that Hayes ‘helped build strong foundations for Honest Burgers future growth’ seeing the business deliver ‘market-leading sales momentum over the last 18 months’.
Kelly started at McDonald’s as a postgraduate intern, before becoming a board member as vice president in the UK and then managing director in Finland and Sweden. Most recently, Kelley was Global CEO of Costa Coffee.
The appointment comes as Honest Burgers looks to introduce the QSR with a blasted burger concept.
Honest Burgers founders Tom Barton and Phillip Eeles say the plan to create an Honest Burgers fast-food place was boosted by the good fortune of its lighter, less expensive shredded burger introduced last year.
“We would like to thank Frank for everything he has done to move the company forward over the past three years. He has tirelessly laid the groundwork for our next expansion process,” says Barton. “We are excited to welcome Thomas to the team – his experience in managing restaurant businesses is as smart as it gets, and he has achieved exceptional expansion in his roles beyond, which is precisely what we want to grow Honest Burgers.