Scott Hudler

Marketing at Red Robin

Scott Hudler is Chief Marketing Officer of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, the Nasdaq-listed restaurant company. Red Robin's executive team page says he has held the role since September 2026. The company announced the appointment on August 10, 2026, with his transition beginning on September 8. He succeeded Russ Klein, who had been interim chief marketing officer since April 2025 and was to stay on as a consultant through the end of 2026.^[1][2]

His remit covers brand strategy, advertising, digital marketing, the loyalty program, culinary innovation and development, guest insights and marketing communications. Putting menu development alongside marketing gives the role reach into what the restaurants sell as well as how they sell it.^[2][4]

A career across restaurants and retail

Red Robin describes more than 25 years of experience across the restaurant and retail industries. Immediately before joining, he was senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Whataburger, where Nation's Restaurant News says he spent a little over two and a half years and FSR says he oversaw brand, marketing, digital and customer engagement.^[1][3][4]

Nation's Restaurant News traces the earlier path: president of Cotton Patch Cafe, chief marketing officer at Torchy's Tacos, a brief period as chief marketing officer at Dick's Sporting Goods, more than a decade in marketing at Dunkin' and about six years in marketing at Mars. Red Robin's own biography also lists Popeyes among his earlier employers. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in communications from Valdosta State University.^[1][3]

What is on the record

In announcing the appointment, Red Robin chief executive Dave Pace credited him with a record of building brands and delivering business results. The release gives no specific figures for that record, and none are claimed here. His tenure at Red Robin is only weeks old, so no results can yet be attributed to it.^[2]

On The Executive List

Scott Hudler is ranked No. 85 on The Executive List (November 2026) in the Chief Marketing Officers discipline. The ranking is The Executive Review's own editorial judgment (how we rank); it is not an outside award, and placement on the list is never sold. View the November 2026 edition.