Tortilla Reappoints Founder as CEO in Leadership Reset to Drive Pan-European Expansion

Tortilla Mexican Grill plc (LSE:MEX) has announced a wide-ranging leadership reshuffle as it moves into its next phase of growth. Founder Brandon Stephens has returned as group chief executive, while former LEON managing director Mac Plumpton has been appointed UK CEO. Former Gail’s chief Marta Pogroszewska joins the board as a non-executive director, and Mexican chef Edson Diaz-Fuentes takes on the role of food ambassador.

In parallel, former YUM! Europe CFO Francesca Tiritiello has moved from the board into an advisory position focused on franchise development. Outgoing CEO Andy Naylor and non-executive director and audit committee chair Keith Down have stepped down. The refreshed leadership team has been tasked with delivering a five-point strategy that includes upgrading the menu, completing the rebranding of French sites by 2026, optimising the UK estate by exiting loss-making locations to improve margins, establishing a scalable European franchise model, and using AI and data tools to enhance operational performance.

The changes come after a period of strong like-for-like sales growth in the UK and improving trading in France, with management positioning the group to pursue its ambition of becoming a leading pan-European fast casual Mexican brand. Despite this strategic momentum, the company’s outlook remains constrained by weak financial performance, including net losses and negative equity. While technical indicators point to strong share price momentum, they also suggest the stock is extremely overbought. Valuation remains difficult to assess given negative earnings and the absence of dividend data.

More about Tortilla Mexican Grill plc

Tortilla Mexican Grill plc is the largest fast casual Mexican restaurant operator in the UK and Europe, running a network of burrito- and taco-focused outlets offering affordable, fast casual dining. The group is pursuing a pan-European growth strategy, including the integration and rebranding of Fresh Burritos sites in France, and aims to improve unit economics and scale through a mix of company-owned restaurants and franchising partnerships.