Fast-casual pizza chain &pizza has named Mike Burns its new CEO, taking over from co-founder Michael Lastoria, the company said Thursday.
Burns has actually been in the position for some time, according to the release announcing his appointment, and in the past two months has overhauled the mission-driven chain’s tech stack and relaunched its web site, mobile app, loyalty program, and point-of-sale systems at all 55 locations.
Before joining &pizza, Burns was chief operating officer and executive vice president of Rave Restaurant Group, which owns the Pie Five Pizza and Pizza Inn concepts.
He also had been vice president of operations of Pei Wei Asian Kitchen and spent more than a decade overseeing more than 175 Bojangles locations.
"I am very excited to join this brand,” Burns said in the release. “I’ve always respected &pizza for being a trailblazer, for punching up and standing up to bullies of the world, and being the anti-establishment establishment. We’re amping up to be bolder than ever before and the energy across this entire team is electric. I can’t wait for our guests and team members to see what’s ahead for &pizza.”
Based in Washington, D.C., &Pizza is known for its egalitarian, employee-first approach to doing business as well as its tech-forward strategy in interacting with customers.
The latter will be even more evident with the chain’s new leader, who has partnered the chain with tech providers Toast, Olo, and Thanx, the company said.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected]