VAUGHAN, Ontario – Frank Hennessey was appointed CEO of Cara Operations Ltd., Canada’s oldest and largest full-service restaurant company. The appointment marks Hennessey’s return to Cara where he previously held various executive leadership positions.

Frank Hennessey

Hennessey brings 31 years of restaurant, food manufacturing and grocery retail experience to the job. He most recently served as president and CEO of Imvescor Restaurant Group, a franchise and licensing business that operates restaurants in Eastern Canada. Hennessey is credited with leading a turnaround at Imvescor. Prior to that, he was president and CEO of Bento Sushi.

“It is exciting to return to Cara and I'm especially grateful to the board and Fairfax [Financial Holdings] for the opportunity,” Hennessey said in a statement. “I look forward to dedicating myself to partnering with the Cara team and Cara’s franchisees as we strive to deliver great guest experiences every day and ensure that all stakeholders prosper.”

Bill Gregson

Hennessey succeeds Bill Gregson, who has held the positions of CEO and chairman of the board of Cara since Oct. 31, 2013. Gregson will continue to the lead Cara’s board as executive chairman. Hennessey will report directly to Gregson.

“The board and our major shareholders, Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited and Cara Holdings Limited, are thrilled to welcome back Frank to Cara,” Gregson said in a statement. “Over an 11-year period, Frank held various executive leadership roles at Cara and while Cara has since undergone significant transformations, Frank is the ideal restaurant executive to lead Cara through its next generation of growth.

“I believe that Frank’s successful restaurant experience will provide added value beyond my experiences, while at the same time my executive chairman role with the company will provide continuity in the successful growth model we started in October 2013.”