Fast-casual restaurant chain Guthrie’s has named Tom Carr as its new CEO and president.

Car has more than 25 years of leadership and marketing experience and joins the chain from Chicken Salad Chick, where he has held a key leadership position for the past 10 years. 

As CMO, he developed and oversaw all brand and marketing initiatives and was instrumental in transforming Chicken Salad Chick into a national franchise, expanding from 50 to 325 locations across 23 states.

Previously, Carr also held several senior marketing positions at renowned brands, including Discovery Networks (now Warner Brothers Discover), Spanx, Nike, and Turner Broadcasting.

“As a longtime fan of the original chicken-finger restaurant concept, I am honored to join Guthrie’s in this role,” said Carr.

Founded in 1965 in Alabama, Guthrie’s operates more than 70 locations across 12 states, serving chicken fingers with its signature sauce, the brand is poised for expansion plans across the US this year. 

“Tom is accomplished and tenured, and he brings a strategic vision to Guthrie’s that will not only honor Guthrie’s legacy but help move us into its next exciting chapter,” said Joe Kelly Guthrie, co-owner and former CEO.

He said Carr knows how to scale brands while preserving their core values and identities, demonstrating his undisputed leadership.