Executive Team

G.J. Hart has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Red Robin since September 2022 and has served on the Board of Directors since August 2019. A highly regarded executive with approximately 35 years in the restaurant industry, including both public and private company experience, G.J. is well known for his organizational leadership skills, commitment to profitable growth, and ability to drive long term shareholder value.

G.J. most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Torchy’s Tacos from 2018 until 2021, a privately-held fast-casual concept with more than 100 locations. He was previously the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of California Pizza Kitchen from 2011 to 2018, where he was responsible for its “Next Chapter” of growth with a program that infused a fresh, contemporary look, innovative menu, world-class service model and generated higher per store average sales and profitability. From 2000 to 2011, G.J. served as President of Texas Roadhouse Holdings, LLC and as Chief Executive Officer and member of the board from 2004 to 2011, where he oversaw unprecedented growth and expanded the business from 60 locations to over 450 restaurants in 49 states and two international markets, while increasing revenues from $63 million to over $1 billion. Earlier in his career, G.J. held leadership positions at Al Copeland Investments, TriFoods International, New Zealand Lamb Company, and Shenandoah Valley Poultry, among others.

G.J.’s favorite Red Robin burger is the Whiskey River BBQ Burger.

Todd Wilson was named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Red Robin in November 2022.

As CFO, Todd is responsible for all Red Robin financial disciplines including accounting, financial planning & analysis, tax, treasury, and investor relations.

Prior to joining Red Robin, from 2018 to 2022, Todd served as the CFO for Hopdoddy Burger Bar, a privately held L Catterton Growth portfolio company, where he engineered significant operating margin expansion, doubled unit count through organic growth & acquisition, and completed two successful debt refinancings. From 2016 to 2018, Todd was VP Finance for Jamba Juice, leading finance & investor relations, and spearheading the process that culminated in a successful strategic sale of the company. Prior to that, he served in progressive financial leadership roles at Bloomin’ Brands from 2006 to 2016.  In his final 4 years at Bloomin’, Todd served as Division CFO and VP Finance for Carrabba’s Italian Grill leading the brand to record sales and profitability in his final year.

Todd earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Florida and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance from the University of South Florida. 

Todd enjoys wake surfing in the summer and snow skiing in the winter, with his daughter Ava and son Zac.  Todd’s favorite burger is the Royal Red Robin.

Kevin Mayer was named Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) by Red Robin in May, 2023.

As CMO, Kevin is responsible for overseeing Brand Management, Marketing, Product Innovation, Database and Digital Marketing, and Social and Earned Media.

Prior to joining Red Robin, Kevin earned notoriety for leading successful brand revivals in the automotive and hospitality industries. As EVP, Chief Growth and Brand Officer at BJ’s Restaurants, he played a crucial role in transforming the brand and its marketing capabilities, driving it from a regional casual dining player to a nationally recognized lifestyle brand resulting in an all-time share price in 2018.

Kevin has held senior roles at global consumer brands such as VP Marketing for Volkswagen, Director of Advertising & Promotion for Chevrolet Global and Director of Advertising for Subaru of America.  Kevin's teams have won numerous Cannes Lions, Effies and Kevin himself was named 2013 Adweek's "Brand Genius". Kevin developed his skills early in his career with roles in numerous advertising agencies.

Kevin earned a B.A. from Purdue University and an M.B.A. in Marketing Science from UCLA's Anderson School of Management.

Kevin resides in Los Angeles, begs for time with his two teenagers Calissa and Nathan, and spends his free time surfing, exercising, and playing guitar - - often pretending that he is David Grohl or Lenny Kravitz to the chagrin of his neighbors. His favorite Red Robin menu item is the Tycoon Burger.

Sarah was named Chief Legal Officer in December 2022. She is no stranger to Red Robin as she previously worked with the company from 2011 to 2021. During those 10 years, she held the roles of Associate General Counsel and Vice President – Deputy General Counsel. Sarah and the Red Robin legal team were recognized for an innovative approach to legal department leadership, including as a Value Champion by the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) in 2016.

As CLO, Sarah is responsible for oversight of all legal matters for Red Robin, including SEC reporting, compliance, financings, shareholder engagement, corporate governance, and insurance.

Prior to joining Red Robin, Sarah worked for the law firm of Holme, Roberts, & Owen (now Bryan Cave). Most recently, Sarah served as the Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel for Skillsoft Corp. (NYSE: SKIL), a learning application and educational technology company.

Sarah holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan in Economics. Sarah brings a wealth of legal experience and executive leadership know-how to Red Robin. Sarah lives in Denver with her husband and their two young children. Sarah and her family enjoy time in the mountains, skiing, and cheering on the kids’ soccer games and mastering the monkey bars.

Sarah’s favorite Red Robin menu item is the Smoke and Pepper Burger and the Bottomless Fries.

Mark Simpson has served as Interim Chief People Officer at Red Robin since May 2023. A hospitality industry veteran, Mark brings 35 years of experience to Red Robin where he will provide senior leadership on key people initiatives and assist in the search for Red Robin’s permanent CPO. Mark recently retired from Texas Roadhouse (NASDAQ: TXRH), where he served as Vice President of Legendary People for many years and assisted in guiding the success of the company’s growth and award-winning culture, including administering its operations-focused market & managing partner program, executive and senior-level staffing, benefits & compensation, field HR and employee relations, HR administration and more. Prior to that, Mark served in senior HR roles with Al Copeland Investments, Tia’s Tex-Mex (Ruby Tuesday Inc.) and Peasant Restaurants (Quantum/Morton’s Restaurant Group). In addition, Mark has served on the boards of the Multicultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance, the National Council of Chain Restaurants and the Kentucky Restaurant Association.

Mark is a graduate of Louisiana State University. His favorite Red Robin menu item is a Red’s Double with Bacon.

Jyoti was named Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in June 2023. As CTO of Red Robin, Jyoti is responsible for leading strategic and operational planning, innovation, growth and maintenance of Red Robin’s comprehensive information systems and technological functions in support of the Company’s corporate-owned restaurant locations and Restaurant Support Center. 

Jyoti brings more than 25 years of experience leading technological transformation within well-known restaurant, retail and technology brands. Prior to joining Red Robin, Jyoti served as Chief Information Officer at European Wax Center, a leading specialty personal care brand with more than 950 retail locations, where she spearheaded the modernization of the company’s retail technology and digital transformation and helped guide the company through its successful IPO. In addition, Jyoti served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Jamba Juice, the 750+ unit restaurant brand and top smoothie and juice franchisor, where she led the creation of a modernized, multi-platform digital ecosystem, including key operational and guest experience technology initiatives. She also served in senior technology leadership roles at Blockbuster, Inc., Fortium Partners and Speed Commerce.

Jyoti earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri, Rolla. She has lived on four continents and traveled all over the world! Her favorite Red Robin burger is the Whiskey River BBQ Burger.