Kayla Edidin Named COO of Red Door Brands to Drive Franchise Growth

Kayla Edidin has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Red Door Brands, a Knoxville-based multi-unit franchise operator, as the company seeks to accelerate expansion and stabilise operations following a restructuring phase in 2025. The announcement was made on April 17, 2026.

Edidin joins the organisation after serving as Vice President of Franchise Development at Dave’s Hot Chicken, where she led the sale of more than 200 franchises within the brand’s first year of operations. Her appointment comes at a time when Red Door Brands is repositioning itself for growth after navigating operational and financial challenges in the previous year.

Leadership Transition Follows Franchise Growth Track Record

Edidin’s move into the COO role reflects a shift from franchise development to operational leadership. Her prior experience in scaling franchise systems is expected to support Red Door Brands’ strategy of strengthening its existing portfolio while pursuing expansion opportunities.

According to the company, Edidin will oversee day-to-day operations, system standardisation, and performance optimisation across its network. Her mandate includes improving execution consistency across locations and establishing scalable operational frameworks.

The leadership change follows what the company described as a record-setting 2025 for Edidin in her previous role, where franchise sales exceeded 200 units within a single year—an indicator of rapid brand adoption and system growth.

Multi-Brand Portfolio Positioned for Expansion

Red Door Brands currently operates nearly 20 franchised restaurant units across the southeastern United States. Its portfolio includes brands such as Pizza Inn, Pie Five Pizza, Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken, and Donatos Pizza.

The company has set a target of scaling its footprint to more than 100 units by 2028. This growth plan will be driven by a combination of operational improvements, capital partnerships, and potential franchise acquisitions or new unit development.

Edidin is expected to play a central role in executing this expansion roadmap, leveraging both her operational expertise and existing relationships within the franchise and financial ecosystem.

Post-Restructuring Strategy Focuses on Stability and Growth

The appointment follows a restructuring phase linked to an affiliate entity, Rave Restaurant Group, which filed for Chapter 11 protection in 2025. The move was described as a strategic effort to address debt and stabilise operations after a period of declining same-store sales within the Pizza Inn system.

Following the restructuring, Red Door Brands has indicated that it is entering 2026 with renewed operational focus and financial discipline. The company aims to rebuild performance across its existing units while creating a foundation for long-term growth.

Leadership has emphasised the importance of operational consistency and disciplined execution as key priorities during this phase. Edidin’s appointment aligns with this direction, with a clear emphasis on improving system-wide efficiency.

Operational Focus to Drive Performance Metrics

In her new role, Edidin will prioritise operational excellence across all locations, including improvements in service delivery, cost control, and guest experience. The company has indicated that standardised systems and processes will be central to achieving these objectives.

Additionally, Edidin plans to utilise established banking relationships to attract new capital partners, supporting both organic growth and potential expansion through acquisitions or new franchise agreements.

The company’s leadership has stated that while there is work required to fully stabilise operations, the organisation’s existing infrastructure provides a foundation for growth under a more structured and disciplined approach.

Strategic Direction Reflects Broader Industry Trends

The appointment comes amid a broader trend in the restaurant industry, where multi-unit operators are focusing on operational efficiency and portfolio optimisation following periods of rapid expansion and market volatility.

Franchise groups are increasingly balancing growth ambitions with the need for financial sustainability, particularly in the wake of fluctuating consumer demand and rising operational costs.

Red Door Brands’ strategy of combining operational standardisation with targeted expansion reflects this shift, positioning the company to scale its portfolio while maintaining performance consistency across brands.

With Edidin’s transition into the COO role, the company is aligning leadership capabilities with its long-term objective of building a larger, more efficient multi-brand restaurant platform.