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Red Robin restaurant exterior at night

Meet Our Leadership

Their mission is clear.

Make it fresh, fun and memorable. And above all, make 'em smile.

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GJ Hart

G.J. Hart

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

G.J. Hart has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Red Robin since September 2022 and has served on the Board of Directors since August 2019. A highly regarded executive with approximately 35 years in the restaurant industry, including both public and private company experience, G.J. is well known for his organizational leadership skills, commitment to profitable growth, and ability to drive long term shareholder value.

 

G.J. most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Torchy’s Tacos from 2018 until 2021, a privately-held fast-casual concept with more than 100 locations. He was previously the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of California Pizza Kitchen from 2011 to 2018, where he was responsible for its “Next Chapter” of growth with a program that infused a fresh, contemporary look, innovative menu, world-class service model and generated higher per store average sales and profitability. From 2000 to 2011, G.J. served as President of Texas Roadhouse Holdings, LLC and as Chief Executive Officer and member of the board from 2004 to 2011, where he oversaw unprecedented growth and expanded the business from 60 locations to over 450 restaurants in 49 states and two international markets, while increasing revenues from $63 million to over $1 billion. Earlier in his career, G.J. held leadership positions at Al Copeland Investments, TriFoods International, New Zealand Lamb Company, and Shenandoah Valley Poultry, among others.

 

G.J.’s favorite Red Robin burger is the Whiskey River BBQ Burger.

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Todd Wilson

Todd Wilson

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

As CFO, Todd is responsible for all Red Robin financial disciplines including accounting, financial planning & analysis, tax, treasury, and investor relations.


Prior to joining Red Robin, from 2018 to 2022, Todd served as the CFO for Hopdoddy Burger Bar, a privately held L Catterton Growth portfolio company, where he engineered significant operating margin expansion, doubled unit count through organic growth & acquisition, and completed two successful debt refinancings. From 2016 to 2018, Todd was VP Finance for Jamba Juice, leading finance & investor relations, and spearheading the process that culminated in a successful strategic sale of the company. Prior to that, he served in progressive financial leadership roles at Bloomin’ Brands from 2006 to 2016. In his final 4 years at Bloomin’, Todd served as Division CFO and VP Finance for Carrabba’s Italian Grill leading the brand to record sales and profitability in his final year.

 

Todd earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance from the University of South Florida. Todd enjoys wake surfing in the summer and snow skiing in the winter, with his daughter Ava and son Zac.

 

Todd’s favorite burger is the Royal Red Robin.

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Sarah Mussetter

Sarah Mussetter

Chief Legal Officer

 

Sarah was named Chief Legal Officer in December 2022. She is no stranger to Red Robin as she previously worked with the company from 2011 to 2021. During those 10 years, she held the roles of Associate General Counsel and Vice President – Deputy General Counsel. Prior to joining Red Robin Sarah worked for the law firm of Holme, Roberts, & Owen (now Bryan Cave). She started her career as a Law Clerk with Krendl, Krendl, & Schnoff in 2006. Most recently, Sarah has been the SVP Deputy General Counsel for Skillsoft a learning application and technology company based in Denver.

 

Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in Economics. She also holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Denver. Sarah brings a wealth of legal experience and executive leadership know-how to Red Robin. Sara lives in Denver with her husband Matt (also a lawyer), young children Maddie, 10, and Mira, 5 and family dog, Penny. Her family enjoys time in the mountains, skiing, and Saturdays that are full of multiple soccer games and monkey bars at the park.

 

Sarah’s favorite burger is the Smoke and Pepper Burger

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Kevin Mayer

Kevin Mayer

Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer

 

Kevin Mayer was named Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) by Red Robin in May, 2023. As CMO, he is responsible for overseeing Brand Management, Marketing, Product Innovation, Database and Digital Marketing, and Social and Earned Media.

 

Prior to joining Red Robin, Kevin earned notoriety for leading successful brand revivals in the automotive and hospitality industries. As EVP, Chief Growth and Brand Officer at BJ’s Restaurants, he played a crucial role in transforming the brand and its marketing capabilities, driving it from a regional casual dining player to a nationally recognized lifestyle brand resulting in an all-time share price in 2018. Kevin has held senior roles at global consumer brands such as VP Marketing for Volkswagen, Director of Advertising & Promotion for Chevrolet Global and Director of Advertising for Subaru of America. His teams have won numerous Cannes Lions, Effies and Kevin himself was named 2013 Adweek's "Brand Genius". He developed his skills early in his career with roles in numerous advertising agencies.

 

Kevin earned a B.A. from Purdue University and an M.B.A. in Marketing Science from UCLA's Anderson School of Management. He resides in Los Angeles, begs for time with his two teenagers Calissa and Nathan, and spends his free time surfing, exercising, and playing guitar — often pretending he is David Grohl or Lenny Kravitz to the chagrin of his neighbors. His favorite Red Robin menu item is the Tycoon Burger.

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Jyoti Lynch

Jyoti Lynch

Chief Technology Officer

 

Jyoti was named Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in June 2023. As CTO of Red Robin, Jyoti is responsible for leading strategic and operational planning, innovation, growth and maintenance of Red Robin’s comprehensive information systems and technological functions in support of the Company’s corporate-owned restaurant locations and Restaurant Support Center.

 

Jyoti brings more than 25 years of experience leading technological transformation within well-known restaurant, retail and technology brands. Prior to joining Red Robin, Jyoti served as Chief Information Officer at European Wax Center, a leading specialty personal care brand with more than 950 retail locations, where she spearheaded the modernization of the company’s retail technology and digital transformation and helped guide the company through its successful IPO. In addition, Jyoti served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Jamba Juice, the 750+ unit restaurant brand and top smoothie and juice franchisor, where she led the creation of a modernized, multi-platform digital ecosystem, including key operational and guest experience technology initiatives. She also served in senior technology leadership roles at Blockbuster, Inc., Fortium Partners and Speed Commerce.

 

Jyoti earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri, Rolla. She has lived on four continents and traveled all over the world! Her favorite Red Robin burger is the Whiskey River BBQ Burger.

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Jesse Griffith

Jesse Griffith

Senior Vice President, Operations

 

Jesse Griffith was named Senior Vice President, Operations in March 2023. In his role, Jesse guides day-to-day operations for the company’s 500+ restaurants, franchise relations and the company’s partnership with beloved pizza brand, Donatos. Most recently, Jesse served as Vice President of Operations with Austin, Texas-based Torchy’s Tacos, which doubled in restaurant unit growth during his tenure. Prior, he served as Vice President of Operations for California Pizza Kitchen. During his career, Jesse also has held the role of Market Partner at Texas Roadhouse over an eight-year stint, where he developed the state of Virginia for the company, and was a multi-unit operator at Quaker Steak & Lube and Bennigan’s. He even worked for a brief period at the Pentagon! Jesse has been proud to serve on the boards of both the California Pizza Kitchen and Torchy’s Tacos charitable foundations.

 

Jesse's favorite Red Robin menu item is the Bacon Cheeseburger.

Meghan Spuler

Chief People Officer

 

Meghan was named Chief People Officer in December 2023. An experienced HR executive and thought leader with over 22 years of HR experience, Meghan has a demonstrated history of success working in Fortune 500 consumer packaged goods, aerospace, and hospitality industries. She is skilled in succession planning, change management, leadership and organizational development, talent management, and executive coaching.

 

Most recently she has served as the Chief People Officer for Eckerd Connects. During her time at Eckerd Connects, Meghan was focused on developing and retaining staff to sustain and multiply Eckerd's impactful programs nationwide. Meghan was also responsible for operationalizing and implementing the Person Side of the Wheel, Eckerd's driving force behind the culture. Previously, she was the Vice President of Human Resources for Bloomin’ Brands Inc. Meghan led a team focused on talent acquisition, leadership development, inclusion & diversity, and building best-in-class human resources strategies. Meghan also provided HR leadership for the Global Aerospace Team at Pall Corporation, an international subsidiary of Danaher Corporation.

 

Meghan holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Human Resource Development from Villanova University.

 

Meghan’s favorite Red Robin menu item is the Sautéed ‘Shroom Burger.