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Todd Penegor

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Todd Penegor is a seasoned quick-service restaurant (QSR) executive best known for his long tenure as President and CEO of Wendy's, where he led significant digital transformation initiatives including the expansion of the Wendy's loyalty program, mobile ordering, and data-driven marketing strategies that placed the brand at the forefront of QSR digital engagement. His relevance to the AdTech and digital marketing ecosystem stems from his leadership in deploying first-party data strategies, digital media investment, and personalized customer experiences at scale across thousands of restaurant locations. Penegor joined Papa Johns as President and CEO in 2024, tasked with revitalizing the brand and accelerating its digital and technology roadmap. Prior to Papa Johns, he spent nearly a decade at Wendy's, where he oversaw the company's evolution from a traditional fast-food advertiser to a digitally sophisticated brand leveraging programmatic media, social-first campaigns, and CRM-driven loyalty mechanics. Before Wendy's, he held senior finance and strategy roles at Kellogg Company, giving him a strong foundation in consumer brand management and media investment. In the broader marketing and AdTech context, Penegor represents the growing class of QSR CEOs who must navigate the intersection of restaurant operations and digital customer acquisition. Under his leadership at Wendy's, the brand became notable for its bold social media presence and willingness to experiment with emerging digital channels, making him a recognized voice on how legacy consumer brands can modernize their marketing stacks and media strategies.

Last updated Oct 14, 2026 by the ATDb Editorial Team

Role
President and Chief Executive Officer
Company
Papa Johns
Based
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Boards
1

AI-drafted from public sourcesno sources yet

Years in industry
15 years

Bio

Todd Penegor is a seasoned quick-service restaurant (QSR) executive best known for his long tenure as President and CEO of Wendy's, where he led significant digital transformation initiatives including the expansion of the Wendy's loyalty program, mobile ordering, and data-driven marketing strategies that placed the brand at the forefront of QSR digital engagement. His relevance to the AdTech and digital marketing ecosystem stems from his leadership in deploying first-party data strategies, digital media investment, and personalized customer experiences at scale across thousands of restaurant locations. Penegor joined Papa Johns as President and CEO in 2024, tasked with revitalizing the brand and accelerating its digital and technology roadmap. Prior to Papa Johns, he spent nearly a decade at Wendy's, where he oversaw the company's evolution from a traditional fast-food advertiser to a digitally sophisticated brand leveraging programmatic media, social-first campaigns, and CRM-driven loyalty mechanics. Before Wendy's, he held senior finance and strategy roles at Kellogg Company, giving him a strong foundation in consumer brand management and media investment. In the broader marketing and AdTech context, Penegor represents the growing class of QSR CEOs who must navigate the intersection of restaurant operations and digital customer acquisition. Under his leadership at Wendy's, the brand became notable for its bold social media presence and willingness to experiment with emerging digital channels, making him a recognized voice on how legacy consumer brands can modernize their marketing stacks and media strategies.

Expertise & education

Expertise

Digital Marketing StrategyCustomer Loyalty ProgramsFirst-Party Data StrategyQSR Digital TransformationBrand MarketingConsumer Engagement PlatformsMobile Ordering and CRMFranchise System Marketing

Education

  • MBA, University of Michigan Ross School of Business
  • BS, Finance, Miami University (Ohio)

Speaking topics

Digital Transformation in QSRBuilding Customer Loyalty Through DataBrand Marketing in the Digital AgeLeadership and Culture in Consumer Brands

Recognition

Notable achievements

  • Led Wendy's digital and loyalty program expansion, growing the Wendy's Rewards membership to millions of active users
  • Oversaw Wendy's rise as a social media marketing innovator, including its widely recognized Twitter/X brand voice strategy
  • Appointed President and CEO of Papa Johns in 2024 to lead brand turnaround and digital acceleration
  • Guided Wendy's through significant international expansion and system-wide digital ordering adoption

Awards

Nation's Restaurant News Golden Chain Award (Wendy's era recognition)