Honest Burgers, the Active Partners-backed business, has named chief financial officer Matt Brandon as its new chief executive.
Brandon replaces Kevin Styles, who has left after six months to join The Pig Group.
An Honest Burgers spokesperson said: “We are delighted to announce that Matt Brandon steps up from chief financial officer to chief executive, having previously acted as interim chief executive last year, delivering the best commercial performance in the brand’s history.
We believe that Matt is best placed to lead Honest into our next phase of accelerated growth.”
Brandon stepped up to the position of chief executive in September last year prior to Styles’ appointment, when Thomas Kelly, who joined the business at the start of 2024, became chairman. Brandon joined Honest Burgers in April 2022 after more than a year as group financial controller at the then Snowfox Group, the owner of YO! Sushi.
Previous to that, he spent eight years at Restaurant Brands International, including a stint as vice-president and head of global finance for Popeyes. Honest Burgers operates 39 sites under its eponymous brand and opened its debut Smash + Grab venue in December, after taking over the Honest Burgers restaurant in London’s Liverpool Street.
Styles has been named the new chief executive of The Pig, succeeding Tom Ross, who is stepping down to ‘pursue new opportunities”.
Styles has served as non-executive director at The Pig since January 2025, when founders Robin and Judy Hutson retired from the group. Ross will step into a strategic advisory role “to ensure a seamless transition”.
Ross said: “Leading The Pig and being a part of this family over the past decade has been a tremendous privilege, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we have accomplished together.
Kevin shares The Pig’s values, commitment to authenticity and passion for exceptional hospitality and fostering unique guest experiences. I am confident The Pig will continue to grow its collection and reach new heights under his leadership.”
Styles has more than 30 years of experience leading hospitality and lifestyle businesses across the UK and globally, including stints at the Jamie Oliver Group and Vue International.
Styles said: “With a relentless commitment to the highest quality design, culinary experiences and service for our valued guests from around the world, I am grateful to Tom for everything that he has done to lay the foundation for this next chapter, and I look forward to working with the fantastic team at The Pig to keep pushing boundaries and creating lasting value for our guests, our people and our communities.”
Ross was named chief executive of The Pig in May 2023. Ross, who joined the group in 2013, has led the company’s day-to-day operations since he was named managing director in March 2022. The Hutsons opened the first Pig hotel in Brockenhurst, Hampshire, in 2011 and have since grown the portfolio to nine sites.
Two projects are in the pipeline – The Pig on the Farm in Stratford-upon-Avon and The Pig at Groombridge in East. KSL Capital Partners acquired the parent company of The Pig Hotels in partnership with Hutson in April 2022
With three young children, including one with special needs, home life is as full-on as his workday: “It’s a challenge, but I’ve built a trusted team that makes it all possible.”
Stephen makes the most of his free time with his family saying: “I love taking the caravan out with my partner and kids to explore the UK.
We’ve discovered some incredible coastlines and enjoy simple pleasures, like traditional fish and chips by the seaside, which always tastes better fresh and salty from the sea air.”
Despite the brand’s increasing national presence and a string of industry awards, Hopper remains grounded in his mission to make business ownership more accessible. He’s especially proud of the impact Plan Burrito has had on its franchisees.
He said: “When someone tells me that owning a franchise has changed their life, that they finally feel in control of their future, that’s the most rewarding part of all of this.”
Reflecting on his journey, Hopper offers one piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: “You don’t need experience. What you need is belief, persistence, and a lot of elbow grease.”
