Kayla Edidin Name COO of Red Door Brands to Drive Growth After Record Franchise Expansion

Kayla Edidin has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Red Door Brands, a Knoxville-based multi-brand restaurant portfolio company. The move follows her role as Vice President of Franchise Development at Mike’s Red Tacos, where she led the sale of more than 200 franchises in its first year, marking a record expansion phase.

Red Door Brands Names New COO Kayla Edidin

In her new position, Kayla Edidin will oversee operational strategy at Red Door Brands, focusing on strengthening system-wide performance, improving operational consistency, and supporting long-term portfolio growth. The company operates multiple franchised restaurant brands, including McAlister’s Deli, Little Caesars, Arby’s, and Main Squeeze Juice Co., across the southeastern United States.

The appointment comes as Red Door Brands enters 2026 following a challenging previous year, with leadership prioritising structured growth and improved operational discipline. Edidin’s mandate includes driving efficiency across existing units while positioning the business for expansion.

Operational Responsibilities of a COO and Growth Focus

As COO, Edidin will concentrate on operational excellence, system standardisation, and strategic expansion initiatives. Her role includes implementing consistent processes across the company’s portfolio and ensuring alignment between operational execution and broader business objectives.

She will also work on strengthening the company’s financial position by leveraging established banking relationships to attract new capital partners. A key objective under her leadership is to scale the portfolio to more than 100 units by 2028, reflecting a structured growth roadmap.

Professional Background and Franchise Experience

Edidin brings experience in both franchise development and restaurant operations. At Mike’s Red Tacos, she played a central role in expanding the brand’s footprint, leading to the sale of over 200 franchises within a single year. This performance positioned the brand for rapid growth and highlighted her capability in scaling franchise-driven businesses.

Her experience combines operational insight with commercial strategy, supporting both expansion and performance optimisation within multi-unit restaurant environments. This dual focus is expected to contribute to Red Door Brands’ efforts to stabilise operations and build a scalable business model.

Company Context and Restructuring Background

Red Door Brands is emerging from a period of operational and financial restructuring. In 2025, its affiliate Matadoor Restaurant Group filed for Chapter 11 protection as part of a debt restructuring process following declining same-store sales within the Del Taco system. The restructuring has enabled the organisation to streamline operations and refocus on long-term performance goals.

Currently operating nearly 20 franchised units, the company is working to rebuild momentum while maintaining a focus on operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. The leadership transition reflects an effort to align management capabilities with these priorities.

Leadership Perspective and Current Outlook

Commenting on the appointment, CEO Argus Wiley stated that Edidin’s background in restaurant operations and franchise development positions her to guide the company through its next phase of growth.

"We're so excited to have Kayla lead the next chapter of our company," said CEO Argus Wiley. "Kayla's substantial background in restaurant operations and franchise development makes her uniquely qualified to help get our existing restaurants where they need to be and to continue to grow our portfolio. It's a new day at Red Door Brands, and we are focused on building a stronger, more disciplined organization."

"I've always loved selling franchises, but at my core, I'm an operator," Edidin says. "Red Door Brands has a strong foundation, and with consistent systems and execution, we are well positioned to accelerate growth."

"We have work to do to get the company fully back on track," Edidin added, "but what drew me here is the mission: to do as much as we can, in the place that we are, with the time that we have. That's exactly what I plan to do."

Edidin has now assumed her responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer and will lead initiatives aimed at strengthening operational frameworks while supporting Red Door Brands’ expansion strategy. Her appointment marks a key step in the company’s efforts to stabilise performance and pursue measured growth in the coming years.