For 50 years, Wray Executive Search has successfully provided executive search and advisory services, recruiting impressive leadership teams for many of the nation’s most successful restaurant, foodservice, hospitality, franchise and retail companies. Our primary focus has always been and remains aligning candidates who have the appropriate blend of knowledge, skill, attitude, experience and commitment with our clients’ needs. Our client partners range from multinationals to entrepreneurial startups both private and public.
Our team of executives has developed broad-based expertise coupled with an impeccable reputation for creativity building the teams and human capital strategies that contribute to the progress of bringing the brands to the top of their respective segments. We are vested in the process and the ultimate success of each candidate placed.
We provide an unparalleled commitment to the recruitment of an organization’s most critical players—C-level professionals, Functional Vice Presidents, and Director- level executives. Services are tailored to our clients’ specific hiring and assessment objectives. We work tenaciously until an assignment is complete, with a strong client focus and a commitment to quality on every engagement.
Wray Executive Search has depth and breadth of experience conducting searches both domestically and internationally in the following areas:
Our clients include billion dollar brands, mid-market and emerging companies. We work closely with both public and private boards and leadership teams. We boast relationships with many of the top industry involved private equity firms. We are engaged as a “Retained” firm to represent our client’s interests and deliver the most talented executives within their respective segments.
Wray Executive Search is led by an elite recruitment team of accomplished professionals who combine personal experience in the restaurant, foodservice, hospitality, and franchise industries with expertise in executive search.
What We Do – We provide an unparalleled commitment to the recruitment of an organization’s most critical players—C-level professionals, VP’s, and Director level executives. Services are tailored to our clients’ specific hiring and assessment objectives. We work tenaciously until an assignment is complete, with a strong client focus and a commitment to quality on every engagement.
Executive Talent Disciplines – Wray Executive Search has depth and breadth of experience conducting searches both domestically and internationally in the following areas:
Wray Executive Search, a provider of executive search and advisory services in the restaurant, foodservice, retail, and franchise industries, has expanded with the addition of Jonathan Kelley as vice president of recruiting. “Jonathan’s energy, responsiveness, and consultative approach align perfectly with how we serve our clients,” said Kevin Stockslager and Ray Kelley, managing partners. “He understands
Wray Executive Search, a provider of executive search and advisory services in the restaurant, foodservice, retail, and franchise industries, has announced a planned leadership transition designed to support long-term continuity and growth. Current partners Kevin Stockslager and Ray Kelley have been named managing partners, while longtime CEO and managing partner Bob Gershberg will remain involved
The hospitality industry continues to see strong demand for proven leadership as brands expand, innovate, and compete for market share. Wray Executive Search, a provider of executive search and advisory services in the restaurant, foodservice, retail, and franchise industries, recently assisted in the recruitment of Kim Boerema as the new CEO of Twin Hospitality Group
For C-suite leaders, it’s widely accepted that assembling a high-performing team is fundamental to a company’s success. While this is true, a more nuanced and often overlooked perspective is how team building directly impacts a leader’s personal career trajectory and professional goals, according to a new article from Wray Executive Search’s Ray Kelley. “The reality
Strengthening the firm’s capabilities in delivering high-impact leadership talent across the restaurant, franchise, foodservice, and hospitality sectors Tampa, Florida — April 13th, 2026 — Wray Executive Search, a leading boutique executive search firm specializing in the restaurant, franchise, foodservice, and hospitality industries, is pleased to announce the addition of Jonathan Kelley as Vice President of
Tampa, FL — [January 5, 2026] – Wray Executive Search, the leader in restaurant, franchise, foodservice, and hospitality retained executive search, today announced a planned leadership transition designed to support long-term continuity and growth. Current Partners Kevin Stockslager, Ph.D., and Ray Kelley have been named Managing Partners, while longtime CEO and Managing Partner Bob Gershberg
We pride ourselves in recruiting superstars for our clients and history proves we have done this well. It is with great excitement and pride that we introduce to you the newest recruit to the Wray Executive Search team:Monica de la Nuez is the Vice President of Recruiting at Wray Executive Search. She helps top companies
St. Petersburg, FL, December 14, 2022 – Wray Executive Search, a leader in executive search and advisory services in the restaurant, foodservice, retail, and franchise industries is pleased to announce that Ray Kelley and Rebecca Patt have been named partner. Mr. Kelley and Ms. Patt will be responsible for growing Wray’s executive search operations across
Thought Leadership
The CFO Talent Bottleneck
The Hidden Lever in Restaurant PE Returns: Executive Team Design
2026 Franchise Executive Salary Report: Compensation Trends for Operations and Development Leaders
Restaurant Executive Compensation: Bonus Structures in Public, Private Equity, and Portfolio Companies
Developing Bench Strength Before You Need It
The Restaurant Franchise Landscape in 2026: A Compelling Growth Platform for Private Equity and Strategic M&A
Building the Executive “Dream Team” for 2026: How Restaurant and Franchise Leaders Should Think About Talent
Franchise Expansion Requires New Types of Leaders—Do You Have Them?
2026 Leadership Readiness: How CEOs Can Assess Their Capacity, Evaluate Their Executive Team, and Optimize for the Year Ahead
Benchmarking Internal Talent vs. External Candidates: Why Restaurant Brands Need Both
What the Restaurant World Is Telling Us About Q4 Consumer Behavior — and How It Applies to C-Suite Planning
Expansion Is a Growth Lever, But Do You Have the Leadership to Scale Culture, Systems, and Operations?
Executive Talent Stability: The Undervalued Lever of Portfolio Returns in Restaurant Private Equity
The Decline of Job-Switching Rewards in 2025: A Shift in the Labor Market
Improving Employee Engagement
Handling Workplace Challenges
Building a Championship Team
Executive Chat
Corner Office Conversations: Sherif Mityas, CEO of BRIX Holdings
Corner Office Conversations: Eric Knott, CEO of Tiki Taco
Corner Office Conversations: Jennifer Dodd, CEO of Main Squeeze Juice Co.
Executive Chat with Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association – Part II
Executive Chat with Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association – Part I
Corner Office Conversations: Geo Concepcion, President & CEO of The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grill
Executive Interview: Joseph Ortiz, President & COO, Farmer Boys
Corner Office Conversations w/ Kevin Stockslager: Erin Hasselgren, President of Corner Bakery Cafe
Corner Office Conversations w/ Kevin Stockslager: Roland Gonzalez, CEO of Church’s Texas Chicken
Executive Chat with Rebecca Patt – Featuring Mary Jane Riva – Pizza Factory CEO
Executive Chat with Rebecca Patt – Pepper Lunch CEO Troy Hooper
Executive Chat – Paul Baldasaro – Taco Mac COO
Firm Overview
The Team
8 Step Search Process
6 Points of Distinction
Case Studies
Career Opportunities
Click here for full listing of opportunities