The Restaurant Industry Veteran Brings 30-Plus Years of Operations Experience to the Pizza Franchise
The California-based Mountain Mike’s Pizza franchise has promoted Steven Adyani from vice president of operations to chief operations officer. Adyani has more than 30 years of restaurant industry operations experience and joined Mountain Mike’s in 2020. During his tenure with the pizza brand, Adyani has made efforts to update the company’s operations manual; spearheaded the creation of its proprietary learning system, Mountain Mike’s University; and shifted the focus of franchise business coaches from traditional training to consulting.
“Even after five years with Mountain Mike’s, I wake up excited to support our incredible franchisees every day,” Adyani said. “They’re some of the most passionate, committed operators in the industry. This company feels more like a family – one that has fun while serving great pizza.”
He credited the brand’s success to its authentic food quality and strong values. “We didn’t change recipes or ingredients – we are simply focused on amplifying what already worked. Our efforts have been around building scalable systems, training programs and brand foundations that allow us to grow while keeping our ‘Pizza Perfection’ – and our people – at the center of everything.”
CEO Jim Metevier said Adyani has been instrumental in Mountain Mike’s nationwide growth. “Steven constantly ensures operational excellence and fosters a team culture that prioritizes collaboration and innovation, and as we continue expanding into new markets, his leadership will be critical in maintaining the unmatched quality, consistency and guest experience that define Mountain Mike’s,” Metevier said.
Leveraging Restaurant Industry Experience
Adyani has spent the last three decades in leadership roles with notable brands including Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and The Cheesecake Factory, and he also has worked with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay.
Adyani said he leverages his experience in establishing strong market clusters where Mountain Mike’s restaurants can thrive and increasing the brand’s operational efficiency through technology and artificial intelligence (AI). “We’re focused on strengthening every part of the business – supply chain, training, sales, profitability and community engagement. We want to ensure every franchisee has the tools and support they need to thrive long-term.”
Aspiring entrepreneurs considering franchising should be passionate and have a desire to serve others and utilize the franchisor’s support and tools, Adyani said. “When you combine passion and service with a strong brand and proven systems, the potential is limitless.”
About Mountain Mike’s Pizza
Founded in 1978, Mountain Mike’s Pizza has expanded to 300-plus units in operation across nine states. The pizza franchise is famous for its family-friendly atmosphere, and franchisees benefit from multiple revenue streams, including carryout and both in-house and third-party delivery options.
