Dublin, Ohio, United States, June 2026 — The Wendy’s Company has appointed Steve Cirulis as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, strengthening its executive leadership as the iconic quick-service restaurant brand continues to accelerate growth and long-term value creation. Bringing more than 30 years of leadership experience across finance, corporate strategy, business transformation, mergers and acquisitions, and operational excellence, Steve will oversee the company’s financial strategy while helping shape its long-term growth agenda and strategic priorities.
Prior to joining The Wendy’s Company, Steve Cirulis served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at Potbelly Sandwich Works, where he spent nearly six years leading finance, strategy, investor relations, treasury, accounting, enterprise risk management, analytics, food safety, tax, and mergers and acquisitions. During his tenure, he helped lead the company’s transformation toward a franchise-driven growth model, contributing to a 270% increase in share price between 2020 and 2025, improving restaurant-level economics, strengthening profitability, modernizing financial systems, establishing an enterprise risk management framework, and enhancing investor engagement. He also currently serves as a Board Member at Maverik, Inc.
Before Potbelly, Steve served as Senior Vice President, Strategy at Panera Bread, where he led enterprise growth strategies across major business categories and directed the company’s drive-thru business, representing more than US$1 billion in annual sales. Earlier, he spent more than five years at McDonald’s Corporation as Global Vice President, Corporate Strategy, advising executive leadership and the Board on enterprise strategy, innovation, corporate development, and long-term growth initiatives. His work contributed to major business transformation efforts, strategic investments, and initiatives that identified significant new revenue opportunities while supporting the company’s global turnaround.
Earlier in his career, Steve held senior strategy and finance leadership roles at Gap Inc., Prophet, M&M Mars, Bickel & Brewer, and the Chicago Bears. Across these organizations, he developed extensive expertise in corporate strategy, pricing, retail transformation, brand management, consumer insights, financial analysis, business development, mergers and acquisitions, and organizational growth. His diverse leadership experience across retail, restaurants, consumer goods, consulting, and financial strategy has established him as a highly respected executive with a proven ability to create sustainable enterprise value.
With deep expertise spanning corporate finance, strategic planning, business transformation, capital allocation, investor relations, operational excellence, mergers and acquisitions, and enterprise growth, Steve’s appointment reinforces The Wendy’s Company’s commitment to building a strong financial and strategic foundation that supports innovation, profitable expansion, and long-term shareholder value.
About The Wendy’s Company
The Wendy’s Company was founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas in Columbus, Ohio, with the enduring philosophy that “Quality Is Our Recipe®.” Today, Wendy’s is one of the world’s most recognized quick-service restaurant brands, known for its made-to-order square hamburgers prepared with fresh, never frozen beef, freshly made salads, chili, baked potatoes, and the iconic Frosty® dessert.
Operating more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide, Wendy’s and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people while remaining committed to making a positive difference in the communities they serve. Through initiatives including support for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption® and the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® program, the company continues to advance its vision of becoming the world’s most thriving and beloved restaurant brand.
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