Bloomin' Brands announces new CFO, HR chief and more
Bloomin’ Brands Inc. is shaking up its leadership team.
The parent company of Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar has announced a slate of new senior leadership appointments that are “designed to build capability to support the company’s ongoing business turnaround,” with a focus on the Outback Steakhouse brand.
Bloomin’ Brands’ executive appointments and transitions include the following:
Eric Christel joins Bloomin’ Brands today, as executive VP and CFO-elect. Following a transition period concluding on or about Sept. 8, 2025, he will assume the role of CFO. During this time, Christel will collaborate closely with the current CFO, Michael Healy, to ensure a smooth and effective transition of responsibilities.
Christel brings nearly two decades of financial leadership across the food and beverage sector, including his role as senior VP and CFO of The Campbell’s Company’s snacks division, which he has held since January 2022, and several finance leadership roles at PepsiCo from 2007 to 2020.
Upon conclusion of the CFO transition, Healy will assume the newly-created role of executive VP of strategy & transformation, where he will lead the strategic initiatives central to Bloomin’ Brands’ turnaround efforts, prioritizing Outback. Healy is a 16-year veteran of Bloomin' Brands with experience across operating and corporate finance, supply chain and brand leadership roles.
Healy will also lead Bloomin’ Brands’ revenue management team. He will be supported by Susan Cline, recently promoted to group VP of strategy and transformation, effective Aug. 4, 2025.
[READ MORE: Report: Full-service restaurants attempt to overcome value perception challenges]
Jessica Mitory will join Bloomin' Brands on Aug. 11, 2025, as senior VP and chief human resources officer, overseeing human resources, compensation and benefits, recruiting, employee development and performance management.
Mitory brings over 15 years of HR leadership across frontline operating and corporate functions, most recently serving as senior VP, global total rewards and employee experience at Advance Auto Parts.
Ali Charri has been appointed senior VP of guest insights and analytics, effective immediately, to lead the company’s strategic and marketing brand positioning, guest insights and analytics, and our digital capabilities.
Charri has more than 20 years of experience in consumer insights, strategy and marketplace analytics across restaurants and consumer-facing brands. Most recently, he served as senior VP of strategy and insights at competitor Darden Restaurants.
As previously announced, Rafael Sanchez joined Bloomin’ Brands on June 30, 2025, as senior VP and chief information officer. Sanchez has over 25 years of IT leadership experience spanning the restaurant, retail, hospitality and entertainment industries.
Sanchez served previously as the CIO of Six Flags, CIO of Feld Entertainment, and most recently as senior VP of information technology of Davidson Hospitality Group.
“The Bloomin’ Brands leadership team has broad operational and restaurant experience across diverse consumer facing businesses,” said CEO Mike Spanos, who assumed the leadership role last September. “As we reinvigorate sales and profit growth in our restaurants, our leaders are committed to our founder’s values of leading growth that is enabled by our people with a passion for guest hospitality. These organizational updates enhance our bench strength, creating a more effective team that is committed to operational excellence.”
The remainder of the Bloomin’ Brands leadership remains unchanged, with Patrick Hafner, Kelia Bazile and Sheilina Henry continuing to lead Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, respectively. Kelly Lefferts remains in her position as executive VP and chief legal officer and secretary, and Lissette Gonzalez remains in her positions as executive VP and chief commercial officer.
“As we look to shape Bloomin’ Brands’ future, our priorities are to simplify the business and consistently deliver a great guest experience while balancing our longer-term priorities to turnaround Outback and drive sustainable sales and profit growth, and realigning our leadership team is a critical step in strengthening operational focus, agility, and accountability,” added Spanos.
Headquartered in Tampa, Bloomin’ Brands owns, operates and franchises more than 1,450 restaurants in 46 states, Guam and 12 countries.
