• by Teresa Buyikian , Yesterday

CKE Restaurants has made several new senior hires, including a president for its Hardee’s brand.

Alisa Gmelich has been tapped as Hardee’s new president. She joins the burger chain from Sprouts Farmers Market, where she served as CMO since 2022. Previously Gmelich was chief brand officer at Auntie Anne’s, where she led brand strategy, digital transformation and franchise alignment during the chain’s post-pandemic recovery. Earlier in her career she spent almost a decade at IHOP, rising to the position of vice president of marketing.

CKE has also tapped Ben Halliwell as chief commercial officer, bringing together “brand strategy, technology, analytics and operations.” Halliwell joins CKE from Marco’s Pizza, where he worked as senior vice president, digital experience and media. He also spent time at HSN, Inspire Brands and Time Warner Cable.

“Our brands have rich histories, loyal guests and passionate franchisees. Now, we're building on that foundation to make Carl's Jr. and Hardee's stronger, more competitive brands for decades to come,” said CKE CEO Joe Guith in a release. “This leadership structure brings together the experience and capabilities needed to strengthen our brands, support our franchisees, and deliver memorable guest experiences.”

The hires come as QSRs continue to face sluggish U.S. sales, but CKE is bucking the trend overseas with same-store sales growing by 7.3% for 2026. Domestic same store sales remain flat at 0.4% growth YOY.

CKE has also brought on Danton Nolan as chief financial officer. Nolan previously held executive positions at  Church's Texas Chicken, Inspire Brands, Arby's and Wendy's. Additionally the company has also tapped Nick Melka as vice president of strategy.

CKE Restaurants Holdings is a privately held subsidiary of Roark Capital, which is one of the largest private equity groups in franchising across food, automotive, fitness and service sectors. Additional restaurants owned by the private equity group include Inspire Brands (Dunkin', Arby's, Jimmy John's, Sonic Drive-In, Buffalo Wild Wings and Baskin-Robbins), GoTo Foods (Auntie Anne's, Cinnabon, Jamba, Moe's Southwest Grill, Carvel, McAlister's Deli and Schlotzsky's) as well as Subway.