The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated announced the appointment of Scarlett May as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the company, effective May 14, 2018. She will succeed Debby R. Zurzolo, who announced earlier this year her plan to retire. In addition, the company named Keith T. Carango as President of The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Incorporated. He succeeds Max S. Byfuglin, who retired in April.
“Scarlett is an accomplished legal executive with significant restaurant industry experience, which will be an asset to The Cheesecake Factory,” says David Overton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “During Keith’s 22-year career with the bakery, he has provided strategic direction, operational excellence and financial stewardship, while working closely with sales and marketing, which positioned him to be the clear choice to lead the division forward. Both Scarlett and Keith will be valued additions to our executive leadership team.”
Overton concludes, “On behalf of our Board of Directors, management team and all of our staff, I want to thank Max and Debby for their dedication, leadership and contributions throughout their tenures with the Company. Joining The Cheesecake Factory 36 years ago, Max has played an integral role in growing our bakery from its humble beginning to its global position today. Nearly 20 years ago, Debby was named as our first General Counsel and has been a trusted advisor ever since. She will continue to sit on the board of The Cheesecake Factory Oscar and Evelyn Overton Charitable Foundation. We wish them both the best in their next chapters.”
Scarlett May joins The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated from Brinker International, Inc., where she served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Prior, she was Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary for Ruby Tuesday, Inc. following her earlier career in private practice. May received a J.D. and B.A. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Keith Carango joined The Cheesecake Factory Bakery Incorporated in 1996 to lead manufacturing, and provide innovative solutions and continuous improvement to the bakery operation. In his most recent role of Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, he oversaw strategic planning, supply chain and procurement, manufacturing, distribution, human resources, quality assurance and finance. Prior, he held manufacturing and finance roles at Frito-Lay, Inc. and Prince Foods. Carango received a B.S. from Penn State University.
