Fogo de Chão has appointed Daniel Duran as its new chief financial officer, starting July 20. The Brazilian steakhouse chain promoted Duran from his position as senior vice president of financial planning and analysis and investor relations, a role he has held since November.
Duran takes over from Tony Laday, who announced his retirement in April after 12 years with the company. Fogo’s CEO, Barry McGowan, expressed gratitude for Laday’s contributions and wished him well.
The appointment aligns with Fogo’s ongoing expansion. The chain opened 16 locations last year, with eight in the U.S., and plans to add another 14 to 16 this year. It now runs 122 restaurants globally.
Duran brings experience from both the restaurant and retail sectors. Before joining Fogo, he spent four years at BJ’s Restaurants, where he advanced to senior vice president of finance and corporate strategy. He also worked for a decade at clothing retailer Hot Topic, serving as vice president of planning and strategy.
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In his new role, Duran will manage financial strategy, planning, accounting, treasury, tax, investor relations, and business analytics. McGowan highlighted his strategic thinking and teamwork, describing him as a key partner to the leadership group.
“Daniel is an exceptional leader who has earned the trust and respect of our team,” McGowan said. “Since joining Fogo, he has quickly become a valued partner to our leadership team, helping us make smarter decisions that position the business for long-term success. As we continue expanding the Fogo brand, I have complete confidence in Daniel’s ability to lead our financial organization and help shape our next growth chapter.”
Duran expressed enthusiasm for the position and his plans to build on the foundation Laday established. “I’m honored to step into this role and grateful for the opportunity to continue building on the strong financial foundation that Tony helped establish,” said Duran. “Fogo is a remarkable brand with tremendous momentum, an incredible culture, and a talented team. I look forward to partnering across the organization to support our continued growth while staying true to what makes Fogo special.”
About the Author
Senior editor, Restaurant Business
Joe Guszkowski is a senior editor with Restaurant Business covering technology and casual-dining chains.
