Restaurants
10 CIOs in Restaurants
These ten executives currently hold the chief information officer title, or a combined information and digital officer title, at restaurant companies. A reader can learn how chief information officers approach planning, reporting and capital decisions in restaurant businesses.
Professionals to explore
01—10Aaron Nilsson
LinkedInExperience: CIO · Jets Pizza
CIO at Jets Pizza since February 2019; the profile describes leading digital transformation for a super regional restaurant chain with about 400 locations, with about 70% of the business coming through digitally enabled channels. Aaron also held Product Owner, Manager, Global In-Store Technology Systems at Domino's (2012–2015) and Head of Digital Experience at Carhartt (2016–2019).
Caleb Marutzky
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Pappas Restaurants, Inc.
Chief Information Officer at Pappas Restaurants, Inc. since January 2025; the profile lists Pappas Restaurants as a Restaurants company. At the same company Caleb also held Vice President Restaurant Finance & Strategy (2023–2025), Director of Finance (2011–2023), Financial Analyst (2009–2011) and BOH Field Trainer (2007–2009).
Jyoti Lynch
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Smoothie King (SKFI)
Chief Information Officer at Smoothie King (SKFI) since October 2024; the profile lists Smoothie King as a Restaurants company. Jyoti also held Chief Technology Officer at Red Robin (2023–2024), Chief Information Officer at European Wax Center (2019–2023) and Chief Information Officer at Jamba (2017–2019).
Keith Correia
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Portillo's
Chief Information Officer at Portillo's since April 2024; the profile lists Portillo's as a Restaurants company and describes the role as technology leader for the restaurant brand. Keith also held Chief Information Officer at Steak n Shake (2020–2024) and Vice President of Technology Innovation (2018–2020) and Vice President of Technology (2015–2018) at Dairy Queen.
Ken Knapton
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Costa Vida, Fresh Mexican Grill
Chief Information Officer at Costa Vida, Fresh Mexican Grill since December 2024; the profile lists Costa Vida as a Restaurants company offering fresh Mexican food. The profile also lists Ken as Chief Information Officer at WIN Brands (Costa Vida / Fatcats) and FatCats Entertainment from 2024 and Chief Information Officer at Rocky Mountain CIO from 2001.
Markus Lonnquist
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Bagel Brands
Chief Information Officer at Bagel Brands since March 2021, after Interim Chief Information Officer (2020–2021) and Vice President, IT Business Relationship Management (2018–2020) there; the profile lists Bagel Brands as a Restaurants company whose Einstein Bros. Bagels shops serve bagels, sandwiches, coffee and catering.
Michael Lapid
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information and Digital Officer · Tropical Smoothie Cafe
Chief Information and Digital Officer at Tropical Smoothie Cafe since October 2019; the profile describes the company as a national fast-casual cafe franchise with more than 1000 locations. Michael also held Vice President, Global Digital Technology at Papa Johns (2017–2019) and Vice President, Digital Consumer Technology at Bloomin' Brands, Inc. (2015–2017).
Nathan Hunstable
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · CEC Entertainment
Chief Information Officer at CEC Entertainment since February 2026, after CISO Vice President - IT there (2024–2026); the profile lists CEC Entertainment, the Chuck E. Cheese company, as a Restaurants company. Nathan also held Chief Technology Officer at Cinergy Entertainment (2015–2024).
Santhosh Kumar
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Panera Bread
Chief Information Officer at Panera Bread since January 2025; the profile lists Panera Bread as a Restaurants company. Santhosh also held Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer at UNFI (2022–2025) and SVP, Global Information Technology at Dunkin' (2020–2021), and served on the MAG Executive Tech Advisory Board at Merchant Advisory Group (2019–2021).
Susan Mirdamadi
LinkedInExperience: Chief Information Officer · Ruth's Hospitality Group
Chief Information Officer at Ruth's Hospitality Group since June 2012, a role the profile says covers Ruth's Chris Steak House, Mitchell's Fish Market, Mitchell's Steak House and Columbus Fish Market among other brands. Susan also held CIO VP IT (2003–2007) and VP Operations Strategy and Support (2008–2012) roles at Denny's.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's restaurant format and ownership model to yours, since quick-service franchise systems, fast-casual chains and full-service brands run different technology stacks. Weigh whether you want someone who came up through restaurant technology or someone who brought IT leadership from other industries.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide which restaurant systems, such as point of sale, kitchen and labor tools, to replace or integrate first?
- 02What has worked for growing digital ordering and loyalty without overloading restaurant teams?
- 03How do you roll out new technology across company-owned and franchised locations?
Reaching CIOs in Restaurants
How can I contact one of these CIOs in Restaurants?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Jets Pizza; Pappas Restaurants, Inc. and Smoothie King (SKFI), based on profile data retrieved on October 3, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach CIOs in Restaurants?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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