• by Teresa Buyikian , June 6, 2025

The parent of burger chains Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. has a new president leading the company’s international expansion and development.

Ewan Davenport has been named president, international for the Franklin, Tennesse-based CKE Restaurant Holdings Inc. Davenport replaces former president of international Mike Woida, who recently retired after spending 48 years with the company.

Davenport joins the company after working for over nine years at Yum Brands’ Pizza Hut, most recently serving as managing director, global franchise markets, as well as managing director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa and earlier as general manager of the Africa market.

“Ewan’s extensive international experience, proven leadership in the QSR industry, and deep understanding of franchise operations make him the perfect fit to spearhead our global growth strategy,” said Joe Guith, CEO of CKE Restaurants, in the announcement.

The brand says Davenport’s appointment “underscores CKE's commitment to growing its global footprint and continuing to strengthen its brand presence worldwide.”  The parent company currently operates over 3,600 franchised or company-operated restaurants in the U.S. and in more than 40 international markets and U.S. territories.

Earlier in his career Davenport spent over six years at Anglo–South African  brewing and beverage companySABMiller as financial director and head of commercial finance. SABMiller was acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2016. Prior to SABMiller, he worked at Unilever for almost eight years, departing as global and European category finance manager.

CKE has been focused on executive leadership and restructuring the last couple years, which included separating the Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s brands, spurring the hire of Chris Bode as Hardee's USA president, and Blake Devillier as Carl's Jr. USA president.