SPOTLIGHT ON WRAY

Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of working with FAT Brands CEO Andy Wiederhorn and the FAT Brands executive leadership team to search for a President and COO of Fatburger, 

Award-winning administrative professional Debbi Shaffer joins Wray in St. Petersburg, FL as Director of Administration.
Executive Movements

FAT Brands Names Toni M. Bianco as Fatburger President & COO

Another Stellar Wray Search placement

Noodles & Company Names Chas Hermann Chief Brand Officer
Full Article » 


El Pollo Loco names Bernard Acoca CEO 
Full Article » 


Chris Morris Appointed CEO of Main Event Entertainment
Full Article » 


Kitchen United names former Taco Bell exec COO
Full Article » 


Chuck E. Cheese's Parent Names New CMO
Full Article » 


Papa Murphy's names ProFlowers Exec as New CMO
Full Article » 


Karen Jean Viera Named New Vice President and Chief People Officer at Church's Chicken
Full Article  » 


Bojangles' CEO Clifton Rutledge Resigns
Full Article  » 


Financial Overview

The Wendy's Company Reports Preliminary 2017 Results; Announces 2018 Outlook And Updates 2020 Goals 
Full Article » 


Domino's Pizza® Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2017 Financial Results 
Full Article »  


Shake Shack Fourth Quarter Total Revenue Grew 31.2%
Full Article » 


DineEquity, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2017 Results
Full Article » 


Fogo de Chão, Inc. To Be Acquired by Rhône For $15.75 Per Share In Cash 
Full Article » 


Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Reports Results for the Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2017 
Full Article » 


Zoës Kitchen Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2017 Results 
Full Article » 

Viewpoint
EQ vs. IQ

by Bob Gershberg, CEO | Managing Partner, Wray Executive Search

Bob Gershberg
For many, emotional intelligence (EQ) is more important than one's intelligence (IQ) in attaining success in their lives and careers. "Your EQ is the level of your ability to understand other people, what motivates them and how to work cooperatively with them," says Harvard theorist Howard Gardner. In this global economy, each one of us must develop EQ skills to better understand, empathize and negotiate with other people.

Here's Why Bold Leaders Are More Successful

by LaRae Quy, Founder & Director, Mental Toughness Center

LaRae Quy
There are two reasons why people separate themselves from the crowd: they are either bold leaders or timid followers. They rest of the herd sticks together. 

Bold leaders move toward obstacles and do not let hesitation or doubt impede their progress. Timid followers lurk behind because they are afraid of obstacles and look for ways to avoid them. 

Executive Chat with James Park
CEO of Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh

by Rebecca Patt, SVP Development, Wray Executive Search

Rebecca Patt
This month, Rebecca chats with James Parks, who is boldly leading the Denver-based company forward with a brand and menu makeover and championing healthy kids' meals


Happy St. Patrick's Day!!
Why Your Organization Needs an Advisory Board

by John Francis, Consultant, Strategic Advisor & Keynote Speaker

John Francis
An advisory board can be very beneficial to your business, but it's important to understand that the board isn't there for the business' benefit - it's there to help the business owner achieve greater levels of success. If you want to play the bigger game and are serious about building your business, you need an advisory board.

From giving objective advice to scouting the marketplace, an advisory board can give your organization the edge it needs to compete at a higher level.  This is particularly true if you have a business with over $1 million in revenue and either a business partner or ambitions of passing the business to your children someday.

Rolodex vs. Network

by Debbi Shaffer, Director of Administration, Wray Executive Search

Debbi Shaffer
When I worked at the consulting firm of Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, I was in awe of Carol, the receptionist. Carol seemed to be a magician who could make pretty much anything happen, and often when The Secretary needed a miracle, it was often her he called upon. I used to joke that I would give anything to have a copy of Carol's Rolodex. What I didn't realize at the time was her Rolodex would have been useless to me. Why? Because she had spent years cultivating relationships with the individuals in her Rolodex. A network is so much more than a name, email address, and phone number. Carol had nurtured and grown a network that would bend over backward to help her make miracles happen. She sent birthday cards, flowers for anniversaries, emails acknowledging milestones, and hundreds of other small touches to develop relationships instead of acquaintances.

Financial Edge
The Emergence of the Key Operating Partner / Managing Owner

by David Ulrich, Executive Vice President | Partner, Wray Executive Search

David Ulrich
The Key Operating Partner, or Managing Owner, has always played a critical role for any new Franchisee Group or Partnership necessary to gain approval from the Franchisor. In the past, this role did not necessarily carry the same level of importance, prestige or respect as traditional corporate positions. However, there has been a change in the investment and acquisition strategies of private equity firms over the past couple of years, in part since multiples for buying a whole company have gotten rather steep compared to valuations in the past.