News

Wahlburgers CEO resigning, CFO to take the lead

June 11, 2018

Wahlburgers CEO Rick Vanzura has resigned his position to accept a CEO position with another restaurant chain. Vanzura will remain with the company through June 15. Patrick Renna, the company's CFO, will serve as interim CEO while the company seraches for a successor, according to a company press release.

"On behalf of Mark, Paul and our entire family, we are grateful for Rick's years of tireless dedication to this company and being a key part of our brand growth and franchise development," company partner Donnie Wahlberg said in the press releases. "We understand and support his decision to step down and appreciate all of the years he worked with us and wish him and his family the very best."

Vanzura said it was an extraordinary gift to be able to build the business with the Wahlbergs over the the last six and a half years.  

"Mark, Donnie and Paul have been more than I could ever ask for in terms of the commitment and heart they've put into Wahlburgers," he said, "I'd also like to thank our staff, franchisees, vendors and our incredible group of managers and crew that bring this awesome brand to life every day in our restaurants. I will always be available to help them any way I can, and I know the business is in very good hands with Patrick."

Renna has experience as both CFO and CEO within the restaurant space, serving in the CFO role with Wahlburgers and chef Paul Wahlberg's fine dining restaurant, Alma Nove; and in the same position and CEO with Boloco.

"I'm incredibly excited when I think about the future of Wahlburgers and our evolution as a company," Renna said. "From the expansion of our restaurants domestically and internationally, to food trucks and our recently launched at-home retail beef program, I think the sky is the limit."