Mike Lenihan has been named chief financial officer of Texas Roadhouse, effective Dec. 3.
Lenihan most recently served as CFO and chief development officer at Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s parent company CKE Restaurants. Prior to joining CKE in 2023, he served in several roles at Yum Brands, including vice president of financial planning & analysis and treasurer, vice president of Pizza Hut, and Yum Brands director of corporate planning, according to his LinkedIn account. He spent nearly 12 years with Yum Brands, starting in the mergers & acquisitions department in 2003.
At Texas Roadhouse, Lenihan will oversee the company’s accounting, financial reporting, investor relations, tax, treasury, internal audit, and financial analysis functions.
“We are excited to add Mike to our leadership team. Given his extensive finance experience, specifically in the restaurant industry, he understands the business and our operator-first culture,” chief executive officer Jerry Morgan said in a statement.
Lenihan succeeds Keith Humpich, who has served as interim CFO since June. He succeeded Chris Monroe, who departed the company in June after two years.
With Lenihan moving into the CFO role, Humpich has been promoted to chief accounting and financial services officer. He has been with Texas Roadhouse since 2005. Additionally, Sean Renfroe, who previously served as deputy general counsel, has been promoted to general counsel and will oversee the company’s legal department. He has been with the company for nearly 13 years.
These promotions follow the appointment of Texas Roadhouse’s first-ever chief growth officer, Lloyd Paul Marshall, in August. Marshall previously served as vice president of operations for the company’s Bubba’s 33 concept. Also, Chris Colson was promoted in August to chief business and administrative officer.
These appointments and promotions come as the casual-dining chain experiences tremendous growth. The flagship brand ended 2024 with 664 domestic locations, marking a 4.1% year-over-year increase, according to Technomic data. It also generated $5.5 billion in sales, or a 14.7% year-over-year increase, surpassing casual dining peer Applebee’s for the first time.
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