Farmer Boys® Appoints Mark Hardison as Chief Marketing Officer to Lead the Next Phase of Brand Growth

March 05, 2026 // FranchisePR.com // Riverside, California – Farmer Boys® has appointed seasoned restaurant marketing executive Mark Hardison as its new Chief Marketing Officer. In this role, Hardison will lead the next phase of Farmer Boys’ brand growth by elevating the company’s market positioning and deepening guest engagement through data-driven marketing strategies that increase visit frequency and long-term customer value.

Hardison brings over 25 years of experience to Farmer Boys, previously leading marketing strategy, CRM, and digital growth for nationally recognized restaurant brands. Most recently, he served as Chief Marketing Officer at California Fish Grill, where he used data-driven marketing and lifecycle programs to increase visit frequency and check averages. Previously, Hardison spent more than 20 years at El Pollo Loco in progressive leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of Marketing. During his tenure, the brand achieved more than 25% comparable sales growth over eight years, introduced over 100 new menu items and limited-time offerings, and expanded its loyalty program to more than 2 million members – experience he will now bring to Farmer Boys’ next phase of growth.

“As a guest of Farmer Boys long before joining the brand, what has always stood out to me is the care behind both the food and the experience,” said Hardison. “We’re hand-prepping whole produce in our kitchens every day, a level of craftsmanship that’s increasingly rare in our industry. That commitment to fresh preparation is a real differentiator, and we have an opportunity to tell that story more clearly and confidently. Equally important is our hospitality. When guests walk into Farmer Boys, they’re greeted by people, not kiosks. Their food is brought to the table, their coffee is refilled, and there’s a genuine sense of warmth that feels elevated for fast casual. As CMO, my focus is on bringing that same authenticity and human connection into our marketing while strengthening the brand’s differentiation and helping more guests discover what makes Farmer Boys special.”

“Mark brings a powerful combination of brand strategy expertise and data-driven marketing leadership, along with deep restaurant industry experience,” said Joseph Ortiz, President and COO of Farmer Boys. “His track record of strengthening brand positioning, building loyalty platforms that deepen guest engagement, and delivering sustained sales performance positions us well as we enter the next phase of Farmer Boys’ growth.”

SOURCE Farmer Boys®