John Haywood

John Haywood is an accomplished business executive with extensive experience in the hospitality industry. Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Punch Bowl Social since October 2023, John previously held the same position at the company during its pandemic restructuring from January 2020 to January 2021. John's expertise in turnaround strategies is further demonstrated by a tenure as Chief Executive Officer of Garden Fresh Restaurants from January 2017 to January 2020, where John successfully led a post-bankruptcy turnaround. John has also worked as a Private Equity M&A and Turnaround Adviser from January 2021 to November 2023 and serves on the Board of Directors for Thomas Cuisine since February 2025. Education includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Washington & Lee University and an Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts from The Culinary Institute of America.