Carl Bachmann is the new CEO for the 12-unit Riko’s Pizza, a Stamford, Connecticut-based tavern pizza concept. The move is effective Jan. 1, 2026. Bachmann has served as president and chief operating officer of Riko’s since January this year, and he succeeds the chain’s founder Rico Imbrogno as CEO. Imbrogno will transition to executive chair. Bachmann has served as president and CEO of BurgerFi International, and, before that, as president and CEO of Smashburger.
Andrew Raabe has been appointed CFO of Chicago-based Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. In this position, Raabe will oversee the company's financial strategy, accounting and financial operations, supply chain and risk management. He previously served as CFO Partner at SeatonHill Partners and as CFO of WowBao.
The five-unit Argentinian empanada concept Maria Empanada has named Andrew Jaffe CEO. The brand’s founder Lorena Cantarovici will continue to helm the brand, but Jaffe, who worked previously with Snooze, will help position the brand for expansion across the U.S.
Dave’s Hot Chicken has named Brandon Rhoten chief marketing officer. He comes from the advertising industry, where he worked most recently with GroundTruth as CMO, working with restaurants and other brands to drive traffic through targeted media. Before that, he was CMO of Potbelly, and he spent six years earlier in his career with Wendy’s.
Little Caesars has promoted several executives.
Starting Jan. 1, 2026, CEO Dave Scrivano will be promoted to vice chairman, though he will continue to lead the brand focusing on long-term strategy, culture and innovation.
Paula Vissing was promoted to the role of president and CEO, global retail. Vissing has been with Little Caesars since 2011. Since 2023 she has served as president of global retail.
Paula Vissing. |Photo courtesy of Little Caesars.
Meanwhile, Ed Gleich has been promoted to president and CEO, global services. Gleich also joined the chain in 2011, and, since 2023, has been president of global services.
Ed Gleich. | Photo courtesy of Little Caesars.
Leigh Burnside, who joined the chain in 2023, has been promoted to chief financial officer and chief administrative officer. Burnside has been working on finance and accounting, but now she will also oversee human resources and legal.
Marco’s Pizza has hired two new executives.
Steve Kennedy is the new CMO with Marco’s. He served previously as executive vice president and head of marketing for Noodles & Company.
In addition, Marco’s has brought in Bill Schaffler as chief financial officer. A co-founding partner of Black Box Intelligence, Schaffler has worked previously on financial strategy and technology with Hopdoddy Burger Bar, Nothing Bundt Cakes and La Madeleine. He is also a former president and CEO of Ascension Coffee. At Marco’s, Schaffler replaces Jeff Rager, who is slated to retire at the end of the year.
Scooter’s Coffee has hired Mikala Friedrich as chief human resources & systems officer, overseeing human resources, information technology, internal communications and operations training. She has been with Scooter’s for seven years. Before that, she worked in HR at Lindsey Corp., Kiewit Corp. and Target.
Mikala Friedrich. | Photo courtesy of Scooter's Coffee.
Ascent Hospitality Management, the parent of Perkins and Huddle House, hired two new leaders. Jon Gordon was named chief creative officer, and Jenifer Perrett was named VP of marketing for Huddle House.
Gordon was previously VP of creative services for Fat Brands since 2020. Before that, he spent nearly eight years in the creative department at GoTo Foods (formerly known as Focus Brands). At Ascent, he will head up a new in-house creative agency that will lead the company’s marketing efforts.
Perrett was previously VP of marketing at Tropical Smoothie Cafe from 2021 to 2023. She held various other marketing leadership roles at the company starting in 2017. Before that, she spent 11 years at Blue Sky Agency.
They are some of the first big hires for Ascent under new CEO Paul Damico.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream has expanded its executive team with two industry leaders. Deepak Kahlon was named vice president of operations and Garrett Snyder joins as vice president of real estate. Their combined expertise in market expansion and systemwide operational performance will play a key role in Handel’s continued franchise growth. Kahlon brings experience in concepts including Baja Fresh, Wetzel’s Pretzels and McDonald’s, while Snyder held leadership positions at Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Blaze Pizza and Nekter Juice Bar.
Anthony Galleno has been named culinary director for Happy Corner Hospitality, which includes the concepts Motek, Sesame Bakery and Yalla Motek. Galleno has worked previously in the kitchens of Mandolin Aegean Bistro, DB Bistro and Ariete in Miami.
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