Original ChopShop Named Kyle Frederick as New CEO

The fast-casual chain elevated its former COO to lead the company as it eyes further expansion.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in People

Modern fast-casual dining space with light wood furniture and minimalist decor bathed in natural light. — Original ChopShop has named former COO Kyle Frederick as its new CEO, tasking him with leading the chain's next phase of growth as it expands beyond its current 30 locations. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Does a change in a restaurant chain's CEO impact your trust in the brand?

Original ChopShop has appointed former COO Kyle Frederick as its new CEO, succeeding Jason Morgan who served in the role for 10 years. The transition comes as the Mac Haik Enterprises-owned chain focuses on its next phase of growth.

Why it matters

The leadership change marks a shift in operational oversight for a brand that has scaled from three to 30 locations over the past decade. The company is now positioning itself to increase its guest reach across its existing markets in the U.S.

Original ChopShop expanded from three to 30 locations during the 10-year tenure of outgoing CEO Jason Morgan. The company currently operates across Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, College Station, Tucson, and Atlanta.

The players

Kyle Frederick

The new CEO of Original ChopShop who previously served as the company's chief operating officer since 2016.

Jason Morgan

The former CEO of Original ChopShop who led the company for 10 years and has now moved into an advisory position.

Original ChopShop

A fast-casual restaurant chain founded in 2013 that currently operates 30 locations across multiple U.S. markets.

Mac Haik Enterprises

The parent company that owns and provides institutional backing for the Original ChopShop restaurant brand.

The details

Kyle Frederick assumes the chief executive role after serving as chief operating officer since joining the company in 2016. Jason Morgan will transition to an advisory role, continuing his involvement with the brand following his decade-long leadership term. This move is intended to maintain continuity while the company seeks to scale its presence in the fast-casual segment.

Original ChopShop was founded in 2013.
Kyle Frederick joined the company in 2016.
Jason Morgan served as CEO from 2016 to 2026.
Kyle Frederick was named CEO on September 28, 2026.

Market Landscape

The leadership change follows a decade of rapid expansion that saw the chain grow tenfold, marking a shift from a founder-led growth era to a more established operational phase. This internal succession strategy mirrors common practices in private equity-backed hospitality, where seasoned operational talent is elevated to drive scale.

Operators should monitor the company's expansion pace as Frederick moves from COO to CEO, as this typically signals a shift toward refined unit economics and supply chain optimization. The transition to an advisory role for the former CEO suggests the company intends to maintain its current strategic direction rather than pursue a drastic pivot.

The takeaway

When scaling from niche to regional scale, succession from a COO to CEO is a signal that institutional rigor has become the primary driver of growth. Watch for any changes in the company's real estate acquisition strategy or menu pricing to identify shifts in their operational priority under new leadership.