The Blackstone-backed coffee chain is building out its executive team to support ambitious US outlet growth plans
US drive-thru coffee chain 7 Brew has appointed former Walmart executive Stephanie Quillen as its first Chief People Officer.
In a press release, Arkansas-based 7 Brew said the new role is designed to build the people, systems and strategy needed to support its ambitious expansion plans, with Quillen’s primary focus on creating a high-performing, people-first environment for staff.
“I’m excited to join 7 Brew and for the opportunity to lead and enhance the employee experience. The Company’s commitment to a people-first culture is evident, and I look forward to leveraging my human resources experience to ensure we have the right infrastructure, strategies and development programmes to make 7 Brew the best place our employees will ever work,” Quillen said.
Quillen brings over 15 years of HR experience to the role, including five years at US retail giant Walmart, where she was responsible for executive hiring and global HR operations.
Alongside executive employment firm Guild, where she served as Principal Executive Advisor from February 2024, Quillen has also held senior HR leadership roles at meat product manufacturer Tyson Foods and digital farming platform Indigo AG.
Quillen is 7 Brew’s third executive leadership team hire in the last seven months after President Chris Dawson and Chief Marketing Officer Nick Chavez – both also newly established positions at the company.
Founded in 2017, 7 Brew is one of the fastest-growing coffee chains in the US and currently operates 380 outlets across 33 states. The franchise operator, backed by New York-based private equity firm Blackstone, offers a range of customisable coffee and infused energy beverages, which it promotes as having over 20,000 unique combinations.
