Todd Penegor | B.A. Eli Broad College of Business, 1987; M.B.A. Eli Broad College of Business, 1989
Todd Penegor, president and CEO of Papa John’s and former CEO of Wendy’s, has been honored with the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award from Michigan State University in recognition of his exceptional leadership in the restaurant industry and his deep connection to MSU.
A proud Spartan with both bachelor’s and MBA degrees from the Eli Broad College of Business, Todd traces his journey from Iron Mountain, Michigan, to the helm of global brands with a sense of humility and gratitude. “I'm a kid from Iron Mountain who has lived way past what I thought I could achieve,” he reflects, crediting his father’s example for instilling a tireless work ethic. In fact, after long summer days of hard work, he looked forward to returning to East Lansing each fall — eager to learn, grow and lead in the classroom.
Todd’s Spartan roots have remained a guiding force throughout his life. A season ticket holder for both Spartan football and basketball, he frequently returns to campus to cheer on MSU and reconnect with the community. While leading Wendy’s, he would occasionally stop by the Broad College — armed with Wendy’s gift cards to hand out to students studying in the room named after his family in recognition of their generous support.
His engagement with MSU has also included service as president of the Broad College Alumni Advisory Board, participation in the college’s dean hiring committee, and delivering commencement addresses in 2017 and 2020. He is a familiar and welcome presence for students seeking leadership insights and mentorship.
Todd’s career is defined by vision and a team-first mentality. During his nine-year tenure as Wendy’s CEO, he led global expansion to more than 7,000 locations and introduced innovations including breakfast offerings, the Wendy’s app, AI-powered drive-thru technology and Wendy’s Hamburger Stands in Walmart stores. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he navigated the brand through uncertainty with steady resolve. “In great times you don’t learn a whole lot; in challenging times you learn a lot,” he says.
In August 2024, Todd came out of retirement to lead Papa John’s, bringing with him decades of operational experience and a commitment to servant leadership. “Leadership means moving barriers out of the way so others can succeed,” he says. “No matter what you achieve in life, your friends keep you grounded—and that’s exactly how it should be.”
“Have a passion for what you do,” he adds. “Work is work unless you love it.”
The Distinguished Alumni Award celebrates individuals who have reached the highest level of professional accomplishment in their field. With a legacy rooted in humility, generosity and visionary leadership, Todd exemplifies what it means to be a Spartan — and what it means to lead.