Business Leaders Roundtable

Appointed Chief Executive Officer of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. in April 2019, Lyerly heads the parent company of the Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s quick service restaurant brands which feature a global footprint of over 3,900 franchised and company-operated restaurants in the United States, 42 foreign countries and U.S. territories. 

Previously, Lyerly was the company’s President, International, responsible for the growth of the CKE international footprint to 900+ restaurants. Prior to that role, he was Executive Vice President of Global Franchise Development where he oversaw franchise development for the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. brands in the United States and around the world. Over his 35 year career with CKE, Lyerly has held senior positions across functional disciplines including: Senior Vice President International, Vice President International, Director - International Finance and Marketing, Director - Domestic Finance (Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.) Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis (Imasco USA, Inc. / Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.). 

Lyerly, a Certified Franchise Executive, serves on the Board of CKE Restaurant Holdings Inc., the Board of the International Franchise Association and the advisory board for the Rosenberg International Center of Franchising at the University of New Hampshire. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 

Edna Morris has over 40 years of executive and Board leadership experience in the food and beverage industry and in manufacturing (6 years with Cummins Engine Company).

Edna serves as a Senior Advisor to the restaurant practice of PJ Solomon, an investment advisory firm.  She serves on the Board of Black Box Intelligence, a leading insights and knowledge provider of restaurant industry HR, financial performance and consumer sentiments.  For the past decade, she was Managing Director of Axum Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on early childhood education and restaurants.  She led the restaurant practice for the firm, which completed the acquisition of Wild Wing Café, and Backyard Burgers, serving on both companies’ boards.   Additionally, Edna is chief executive officer, founder and partner in Range Restaurant Group, with 2 CityRange restaurants in upstate South Carolina.

Since 2004, Edna has served as a Director of Tractor Supply Company (TSCO), where she chairs the Compensation Committee and is a member of the Governance Committee.  Additionally, Edna served on the Board of Einstein Noah Restaurant Group (BAGL), serving on the Compensation Committee and chairing the Nominating and Governance Committee until the close of a successful sale of the company in November, 2014.  Previously, Edna served on the Boards of Cosi, Inc. and the Culinary Institute of America.  She is a member of NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) and WCD (Women’s Corporate Directors).  In 2018, she was named one of the Most Influential Corporate Directors by WomenInc.

Edna has served as President of various organizations, including Red Lobster and Quincy’s Family Steakhouse.  She led the development and opening of a chef driven casual dining restaurant concept, CityRange.  In 2005 Edna was asked to lead the James Beard Foundation as their President; she was recognized for leading all aspects of the organization and restoring integrity, transparency and appropriate governance.  The first 15 years of Edna’s career were devoted to Human Resources, where she and her teams were honored by the industry for innovation in executive compensation, benefits, child care, selection and development, productivity improvement and inclusion.

Edna is a frequent speaker at industry and Board events.  She is active in industry, charitable and civic endeavors and was the Founding President of Women’s Foodservice Forum.  Her leadership and contributions to the industry have been recognized with various honors including a MUFSO Golden Chain award, Elliot Mentor Award and Women’s Foodservice Forum’s Trail Blazer award.