Operations

True Food Kitchen names Jeff Chandler as CEO

July 21, 2026

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Jeff Chandler has been synonymous with Hopdoddy Burger Bar over the last decade, but the Texas-based executive is now leading True Food Kitchen, a wellness-focused restaurant chain, as CEO.

"True Food Kitchen has an extraordinary foundation, a powerful mission and a unique authority in health and wellness dining," Chandler told FastCasual. "I'm excited to build a world-class, people-first culture and create warm, memorable and craveable experiences as we evolve into a premier lifestyle brand."

Chandler most recently served as CEO and president of HiBar Hospitality Group and Hopdoddy Burger Bar, where he helped grow the scratch-kitchen burger concept since 2016. In June, Founders Table Restaurant Group, which also includes Chopt Creative Salad Company, Dos Toros Taqueria, Protein Bar & Kitchen and Field Trip, acquired Hopdoddy Burger Bar. Chandler announced he'd take an advisory role, and Kenny Jett, Hopdoddy's longtime vice president of operations, was named president.

Although Chandler said he will stay involved with Hopdoddy as part of the Board, he is passionate about helping True Food build a strong, people-first culture, and to restore operational consistency as CEO.

Jason Karp, founder and CEO of HumanCo — a private holding company and investor in True Food Kitchen — said he has known Chandler for more than three years and called him the right leader for the brand's current stage of growth.

The CEO hire is the latest in a series of leadership additions at True Food Kitchen. The company recently named Anthony Nguyen as chief marketing officer and added two members to its board of directors: Tariq Hassan, formerly chief marketing and customer experience officer at McDonald's USA, and Denny Post, a marketing and product innovation strategist.

Steve Young, managing partner at Manna Tree, another investor in the company, said Chandler's operational experience, paired with the recent executive and board additions, positions True Food Kitchen to capitalize on growing consumer demand for health-focused dining.

Founded in Phoenix in 2008, True Food Kitchen operates 45 restaurants in 18 states. The chain's investors include HumanCo, Manna Tree and Oprah Winfrey.

Operations