Fast-growing Pizza Franchise Chain Expands C-Suite with Promotion of Finance V.P.
Irvine, CA (Restaurant News Release) Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading family-style pizza chain for nearly 50 years, and home of the legendary crispy, curly pepperoni®, massive 20-inch Mountain-sized pizzas and dough made fresh daily, has appointed Ryan Lulow as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Previously, Lulow served as Mountain Mike’s Controller in 2020 and was promoted to Vice President of Finance in 2021, strengthening the brand’s financial reporting and forecasting, identifying opportunities to expand margins and supporting system growth.
“Since joining Mountain Mike’s, Ryan has been instrumental to our nationwide growth, optimizing profitability across supply chains, operations, marketing and beyond,” said Jim Metevier, Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Mike’s Pizza. “As Mountain Mike’s continues to surpass growth objectives, Ryan’s business acumen and ambition will help to maintain our financial momentum by identifying cost-saving opportunities, enhancing operations and cultivating interest among potential franchisees.”
Lulow’s many contributions as Vice President of Finance include bolstering Mountain Mike’s financial foundation while focusing sharply on franchisee success. He has elevated the brand’s financial reporting and forecasting capabilities, improving visibility into key profitability drivers at the unit level, and he partnered closely with operations to identify opportunities to expand restaurant-level margins. Lulow also worked closely with franchise development partners to support disciplined system growth, ensuring brand initiatives and expansion efforts remained aligned with long-term brand health, franchisee returns and sustained performance in a dynamic industry.
As CFO, Lulow will focus on enhancing franchisee profitability and driving sustainable, systemwide growth through a disciplined, franchisee-first approach. He will oversee all financial functions, including strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting and capital allocation, with an emphasis on data-driven decision-making and operational alignment. Over the next year, Lulow will lead key initiatives aimed at improving unit-level economics and efficiency, including refining promotional and loyalty strategies to better balance traffic and margin, identifying cost-saving supply chain opportunities without compromising product quality and supporting strategic regional expansion with a focus on strong site selection and ROI discipline.
“I’m honored to grow alongside the well-respected Mountain Mike’s Pizza brand, and I’m excited by the opportunities ahead as Chief Financial Officer to invest in promotional, operational and unit progression that support franchisee wins,” said Lulow. “Mountain Mike’s deep and unrelenting commitment to product quality, franchisee success and guest satisfaction is a cornerstone of the brand’s identity, and I look forward to building on that legacy with financial transparency, discipline and innovation.”
With nearly 330 units in operation across 11 states, Mountain Mike’s is primed to continue expansion throughout the U.S. by extending opportunities to new franchise partners looking to diversify their portfolios with a popular family pizza concept. To learn more about new franchise opportunities in your market of interest, visit MountainMikesFranchise.com.
About Mountain Mike’s Pizza
Since 1978, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading family-style pizza chain known for its legendary crispy, curly pepperonis, Mountain-sized pizzas, and dough made fresh daily has been a popular choice for families, serving “Pizza the Way it Oughta Be!®” In addition to offering carryout, its own in-house delivery, and four third-party delivery options, Mountain Mike’s provides a family-friendly dine-in environment making it easy for guests to enjoy the brand’s signature experience wherever they are. Most of its nearly 330 locations feature a kids’ activity area with arcade games, dedicated party rooms and big screen TVs throughout, making Mountain Mike’s an ideal place for sports teams, family gatherings, group fundraising events and private parties alike. With a menu of signature pizzas, chicken wings, garlic knots, fresh salads, sharable desserts, and a selection of beer and wine, there’s something for everyone at Mountain Mike’s. Guests may also take advantage of streamlined ordering via the Mountain Rewards® app to earn exclusive offers and personalized rewards towards free food. This year, Mountain Mike’s was named one of America’s Favorite Restaurant Chains by Newsweek, as well as a top brand on Yelp’s Most Loved Restaurant Brands list. For a complete list of locations and the full menu, visit MountainMikesPizza.com or follow Mountain Mike’s on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.
Media Contact:
Novia Baulisch
Powerhouse+Co.
novia@powerhouseandco.com