SHANNON HENNESSY
CEO
HABIT BURGER & GRILL
WHY: Left KFC to become president of Habit in 2022 and succeeded Habit’s former CEO Russ Bendel in 2023.
IN THE NEWS: Renamed Habit restaurants to “Habit Burger & Grill.” Chain’s Double Char burger ranks No. 1 on USA Today’s 10 Best Fast Food Burger list.
NOTABLE: First stint in the restaurant industry. Never been to Habit restaurant until tapped as president. Describes Habit as “slightly more premium” than its sister fast-food chains at Yum Brands, which also owns Irvine-based Taco Bell.
QUOTABLE: “We want to be the leader in the better burger space. In order to get there, we absolutely need to continue to grow quite quickly.”
