Moore arrives at Whataburger with a background that includes a six-year tenure as CFO at Torchy’s Tacos and a decade at Taco Bell, where he held the position of Vice President of Finance. President and CEO Debbie Stroud emphasized that Moore’s appointment is intended to balance aggressive growth with the preservation of the brand’s 76-year-old identity. Moore himself noted the challenge lies in scaling the company’s footprint while maintaining the core operational standards that define the regional favorite.

His arrival marks the departure of Janelle Sykes, who is set to retire in September after a six-year run. Sykes oversaw a period of rapid expansion that saw the chain grow from 860 locations in 11 states to nearly 1,200 restaurants across 17 states. To ensure stability during the changeover, Sykes will work closely with Moore through the end of September to hand off financial responsibilities.