Speakers

Ned Lyerly is a global restaurant executive with extensive experience building brands, accelerating growth, and leading franchise systems. As Chief Executive Officer of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., parent of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, he oversaw 4,000 restaurants worldwide, generated $5 billion in revenue, and led a business transformation that delivered record system sales, international expansion, and best-in-class franchise relations.

He is currently CEO of Fast Fine Restaurant Group Inc., a global foodservice holding company; operator of V Modern Italian, an experiential next-generation Italian concept; and Starheel Ventures, LLC, a private investment and advisory firm.

A Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), Lyerly has held senior leadership roles spanning finance, marketing, international operations, and franchise development. He serves on the Board of the International Franchise Association and the Advisory Board of USA Cares, a veterans’ nonprofit organization.