Bojangles’ announced that finance executive and restaurant industry veteran Reese Stewart has joined the company as its new Chief Financial Officer. In this role, Reese will help lead the company’s efforts to drive value through strategic focus, team development, and operational and financial excellence.

Reese comes to Bojangles’ after a nearly 15-year career with CKE Restaurants, the parent company of the Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s brands. Most recently, Reese was Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer for CKE. He also previously served as the company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer. While with CKE, Reese developed and led financial teams that supported the domestic and international growth platform of both brands, was instrumental in a variety of strategic and capital transactions, and supervised the financial transition from public ownership to private equity.

Before his time with CKE Restaurants, Reese served as Reporting Director for Infonet Services Corporation. He started his career in public accounting, with positions in the audit departments of Deloitte and Windes & McClaughry Accountancy Corporation. Reese graduated from UCLA, is a California CPA and will report directly to Jose Armario, Bojangles’ Chief Executive Officer.

“We are very excited that Reese has joined our Bojangles’ family,” Jose Armario says. “Reese is a standout in the world of corporate finance, and his experience in the [quick-service restaurant] industry is difficult to match. He has a well-documented history of bringing financial teams together to maximize resources and drive the business forward. We have big plans for the future of our brand and a strong, experienced financial leader is key to our success.”

“There is something very special about the Bojangles’ brand, so much so that we are moving cross country to be a part of what’s happening here,” Reese says. “Bojangles’ is a beloved and iconic brand with an amazing history unlike any other [quick-service restaurant] business. My family and I are excited to become part of the Charlotte community, and I am eager to get to work supporting our restaurants and franchise partners.”