The parent company of fast-casual chains &pizza and Tijuana Flats has begun the search for a new chief executive following the departure of Mike Burns, who has left the business to become CEO of Cafe Rio.
Despite the leadership transition, Latitude Food Group, the holding company created following &pizza’s acquisition of Tijuana Flats in late 2025 said its strategic direction remains unchanged and that growth initiatives across both brands will continue as planned.
Mike Burns played a key role in shaping the combined platform after joining &pizza and later helping oversee the formation of Latitude Food Group, which was established when &pizza acquired Tijuana Flats in November 2025. The transaction brought together two distinct fast-casual concepts under one umbrella, creating a multi-brand restaurant company focused on expansion, franchising and operational improvement.
According to the company, the board has initiated a formal search process to identify a successor. In the interim, existing leadership teams at both brands will continue executing the company’s operating and growth plans.
The CEO transition comes at an important period for both restaurant chains.
Founded in Washington, D.C. in 2012, &pizza has built a reputation around customizable oblong pizzas, a strong brand identity and an increasing emphasis on franchising. The chain operates across several East Coast markets and recently accelerated its franchise development efforts, including signing international and domestic growth agreements.
Tijuana Flats, meanwhile, has been working through a turnaround following its 2024 Chapter 11 restructuring. The Tex-Mex brand emerged from bankruptcy in early 2025 with plans to refresh its menu, strengthen operations and resume expansion. The acquisition by &pizza later that year was viewed as a strategic move to create scale and unlock growth opportunities across both concepts.
Latitude Food Group emphasized that Burns’ departure does not signal a change in strategy. The company remains focused on expanding both brands, supporting franchise growth and strengthening guest engagement while the CEO search is underway.
Burns’ next chapter will see him take the helm at Cafe Rio, another fast-casual restaurant chain, as the company looks to accelerate its own growth initiatives.
