Sonny's BBQ Strengthens Leadership Team with Key Executive Hires
The Floridant/10313376

Trending...
ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 8, 2025 ~ Sonny's BBQ, a renowned BBQ restaurant known for its quality food and commitment to spreading kindness, has recently announced the addition of Matt Zeiger to its team as the Chief Financial & Development Officer. With this new role, Matt will be responsible for overseeing finance and development, utilizing his strategic vision and extensive expertise to support Sonny's growth plan.

According to George McAllan, the Chief Growth Officer at Sonny's BBQ, "Matt brings an impressive 25 years of exceptional financial and operational leadership, having worked with some of the most respected restaurant franchise brands in the industry." He further added that Matt's depth of expertise will play a crucial role in guiding Sonny's BBQ as they enter a growth phase and continue to expand their footprint in a smart and strategic manner.

With over two decades of experience leading financial and operational strategy for multi-concept restaurant franchise groups, Matt has a proven track record of driving growth, improving performance, and navigating complex business transformations. He has held key leadership roles at Yum! Brands, including CFO of Pizza Hut Korea where he successfully led a major turnaround and oversaw the re-franchising of over 100 restaurants. Most recently, Matt served as both CEO and CFO of Quality Restaurant Group, where he delivered substantial EBITDA growth and led systemwide operational enhancements.

More on The Floridant
Expressing his excitement about joining Sonny's BBQ team at such a pivotal point in the brand's franchising journey, Matt said, "Sonny's has a rich legacy, a strong culture and a passionate team - everything you want in a growth-focused brand." He also added that he looks forward to building on that foundation as they expand into new markets and continue delivering delicious BBQ and an exceptional guest experience.

As Sonny's BBQ positions itself for long-term growth, it is also strengthening its corporate operations team by adding key director roles. Along with Matt Zeiger, Debbie Pirone has been appointed as the Director of Training & Operations Support, and Eric High as the Director of Franchise Relations. Both Debbie and Eric bring decades of industry experience to the table.

Debbie Pirone has over 25 years of food and hospitality experience, including 20 years at Domino's Pizza where she led operations, training, and franchise development. In her new role at Sonny's BBQ, she will focus on enhancing employee performance and implementing consistent, brand-aligned training programs that support the development of both corporate and franchise teams.

More on The Floridant
Similarly, Eric High also joins Sonny's with more than two decades of experience supporting franchisees and driving operational excellence. As the Director of Franchise Relations, he will serve as a strategic partner to franchise operators, helping to align growth initiatives and enhance overall satisfaction. Prior to joining Sonny's, Eric served as Director of Franchise Operations at Inspire Brands, overseeing more than 650 Dunkin' franchised restaurants across the South Central U.S.

McAllan expressed his confidence in Debbie and Eric by saying, "Each has a proven track record of supporting teams and driving operational success in high-growth franchise environments." He also added that their expertise will be crucial in strengthening systems and elevating the experience for both team members and guests as Sonny's continues to invest in its people and build for the future.

For those interested in learning more about Sonny's BBQ, they can visit their website or follow them on various social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and YouTube. Additionally, information about franchise opportunities can be found on their website https://sonnysbbqfranchise.com/.

Images of Matt Zeiger can be found HERE

Images of Debbie Pirone can be found HERE

Images of Eric High can be found HERE
Filed Under: Business
Show All News | Disclaimer | Report Violation

0 Comments

Latest on The Floridant