A round-up of senior appointments from across the global coffee industry, including interim leadership for one of the world’s largest QSR franchise groups, a fast-growing Australian café chain’s first CEO, and new management for a French coffee equipment giant
Inspire Brands names Interim CEO ahead of planned IPO
After filing confidentially for an IPO with the US SEC in May 2026, US franchise group Inspire Brands will continue preparing for its public listing under new leadership.
Roark Capital-backed Inspire Brands currently operates more than 33,000 stores globally across its six QSR brands, which include Dunkin’, Baskin-Robbins and Arby’s.
Dunkin’ President Scott Murphy has stepped up to Interim CEO role while Inspire Brands Co-founder and CEO Paul Brown takes temporary medical leave.
The interim leadership change could see its IPO pushed back to the start of 2027, it added.
New CEO for Australia’s Soul Origin as it looks to more than double in size
Health-focused coffee group Soul Origin is looking to more than double its store network over the next decade to reach 400 outlets by 2036.
To drive its next phase of growth, the Australian chain has promoted current Chief Financial Officer George Gebran to CEO, effective 1 October 2026. Gebran will now work alongside Co-founder and Managing Director Hao Quach to unlock new expansion opportunities – including in New Zealand, where Soul Origin launched in August 2024.
Caribou Coffee appoints new Chief Operations Officer
Minnesota-based Caribou Coffee has appointed a new Chief Operations Officer – the latest in a string of senior hires at the JAB Holding-backed coffee chain over the last 12 months.
Former Starbucks, Whataburger and Raising Cane’s executive Zane Thomas-Rogers steps into the role, succeeding the retiring John Walbrun.
Since September 2025, Caribou has announced new leadership for its commercial, finance, supply chain, marketing, real estate and technology teams.
Swiss foodservice and retail group Valora announces leadership transition
Switzerland’s Valora Group is seeking a new CEO after long-serving incumbent Michael Mueller announced his decision to step down.
Mueller joined the foodservice and retail group in 2012 as Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to CEO two years later. During Mueller’s leadership, Valora’s annual revenues rose by more than 50%, reaching CHF 2.9bn ($3.5bn) in 2025. The group also added several F&B chains to its portfolio – including German bakery-café chain BackWerk and fast-casual restaurant chain Frittenwerk.
Mueller will be succeeded in the interim by Roger Vogt, who currently leads Valora’s Retail and Food Service business unit.
India’s Third Wave Coffee hires former Sapphire Foods exec for top tech role
India’s Third Wave Coffee has announced a key senior leadership appointment as it seeks to progress its long-term goal of reaching 500 stores.
The specialty coffee group, which currently has 270 stores, has appointed experienced F&B tech executive Sanjay Dutta as its Chief Technology Officer, succeeding Ashwin Chandrasekar.
At Third Wave, Dutta is tasked with building the digital infrastructure and scalable platforms to support the brand’s next phase of growth.
New CEO to lead next chapter for French coffee equipment giant Groupe SEB
Lyon-based Groupe SEB has appointed a new CEO to carry forward its Rebound Plan turnaround strategy.
Implemented at the start of 2026, the plan seeks to return the WMF, Schaerer, Curtis and La San Marco owner to profit growth following a 25% decline in operating profit in 2025, while strengthening organic sales and delivering efficiency savings.
Former Mars executive Loïc Moutault has been named the group’s new CEO, succeeding Stanislas de Gramont, who has been in post since July 2022.
Panera Bread appoints former Burger King execs to two key leadership roles
Missouri-based food-to-go and coffee chain Panera Bread has added a new Chief Operating Officer and Chief Supply Chain Officer to its leadership team ahead of a planned HQ relocation in 2027.
Both Chris Finazzo and Victor Siqueira have prior experience at US fast-food giant Burger King, with new supply chief Siqueira also a former Vice President of Supply Chain at Canadian coffee giant Tim Hortons.
Panera is one of the largest branded coffee chains in the US by outlets, with over 2,230 stores – behind only to Starbucks and Dunkin’.
William Gordon-Harris steps down as Knoops CEO
William Gordon-Harris has stepped down as CEO of premium drinking chocolate and coffee chain Knoops after more than three years in the role.
Gordon-Harris first invested in Knoops in 2019, was appointed its Executive Chairman later that same year and was promoted to CEO in July 2023. Since he first became involved in the business, Knoops has grown from a single site in East Sussex to 26 UK stores, expanded to the UAE and the US, and raised more than £18m ($24.2m) in investment.
UK-based Knoops will now be led by Chief Operating Officer Jo Brett and Chief Financial Officer Martin Long.
