The Wendy’s Company named Steve Cirulis as its chief financial officer and chief strategy officer on Monday, bringing in a former Potbelly executive who previously partnered with Wendy’s new CEO on a restaurant turnaround.
Cirulis, 55, most recently served as CFO and chief strategy officer at Potbelly Sandwich Works, where he and Wendy’s President and CEO Bob Wright worked together
Their tenure at Potbelly delivered results the company described as a more than 500% rise in share price, alongside double-digit average unit volume growth and meaningful expansion in restaurant margins. Cirulis left Potbelly in December 2025, the company said. His resume prior to Potbelly includes stints at Panera Bread, McDonald’s, and Gap, Inc., which Wendy’s said amounts to nearly 30 years of experience spanning restaurant and retail.
Cirulis succeeds Ken Cook, who has served as CFO since 2024 and will remain in an advisory capacity through July. Kirk Tanner’s unexpected exit prompted Wendy’s to install Cook as interim CEO, a role he held from July 2025 until Wright’s appointment in May 2026. In recognition of that service, the company said it will provide Cook with 24 months of salary continuation rather than the standard 12 months. “Driving solid financial discipline, topline growth and enhanced franchisee profitability are essential to our future success,” Wright said in a statement. “I am confident that Steve will play a critical role as we execute the turnaround of Wendy’s.” “It is an honor to join this iconic brand at such a pivotal time in its history,” Cirulis said in a statement. “I believe there is a tremendous opportunity at Wendy’s to drive topline growth, franchisee profitability and improved shareholder value.” Under his employment letter, Cirulis will receive a base salary of $675,000 per year and will be eligible for an annual performance-based bonus with a target equal to 90% of his base salary, the company said.