JAMES McGEHEE
Chief Financial Officer
Dave’s Hot Chicken
Starting from store #1 in 2019 to a valuation of billion dollars, James McGehee has helped build a restaurant four-wall economic model propelled franchisee growth. With over 500 projected opening by 2026 year end, 1.5 billion in systemwide sales, with seven countries represented, Dave’s Hot Chicken has had unprecedented growth within the restaurant industry. In 2025 Dave’s Hot Chicken gained the attention of the finance community and is now part of Roark Capital, the world’s largest restaurant PE group owning brands such as Dunkin Donuts, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Carl’s Jr, Sonic Burger, Jimmy John’s and Subway, to name a few. McGehee is a 33-year industry executive specializing in system implementations for growth companies, financial analysis, debt restructuring and implementation of business intelligence systems to improve reporting and profitability. As CFO, he provides financial advisory and systems implementation services for high-growth private equity-funded restaurant groups. McGehee has spent his career in the restaurant industry, growing brands such as Mendocino Farms, Blaze Pizza and Wetzel’s Pretzels. McGehee sits on the boards of directors of several emerging restaurant companies but is most proud of his CFO mentorship programs. He is currently mentoring four CFO candi-dates, ensuring they have both the technical skillsets, vision for the position and soft skills to be successful in their current position and future accomplishments.
