Honest Burgers appoints Frank Hayes as its first CEO

Hayes’ appointment follows him having worked closely with the burger restaurant’s team last year.

He has leadership experience in hospitality and other sectors, including 13 years at Yum! Brands where oversaw international divisions of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell and also spent three years at managed pub business Spirit Group as managing director of food.

“I’m delighted with the addition of Frank to the Honest team. It’s a credit to the team and the Honest brand that we can attract someone of his calibre,” says Spencer Skinner, managing partner of Active Partners, which backs Honest Burgers.

As part of the appointment, Gary Mann has taken on the newly created role of chief commercial officer having previously been the company’s managing director.

Co-managing director Dorian Waite has stepped back into a part-time role where he will support the expanding executive team. He will continue to remain on the board of directors.

Finance director David Foulis, meanwhile, is leaving the business after three years and will be replaced on an interim basis by Holly Elliott, previously finance director of Café Nero and Five Guys.

“This completes a really impressive leadership team at Honest, which will be critical as we seek to execute our highly ambitious plans over the coming years,” adds Skinner.