Portillo’s hires former Papa Johns exec as chief development officer

Core Insights - Portillo's has appointed Jennifer Pecoraro-Striepling as Chief Development Officer, bringing over 25 years of experience in restaurant development and growth [1][2] - Pecoraro-Striepling will lead Portillo's development strategy, focusing on real estate, site selection, and maintaining operational excellence during expansion [3] Company Strategy - Portillo's has recently adjusted its real estate strategy due to underperformance of new restaurants in Texas, where proximity led to sales cannibalization [4] - The company is now prioritizing healthy unit economics by spacing out new store openings to avoid market saturation [5] Recent Developments - The chain opened its first restaurant in the Greater Atlanta area, which is 20% smaller than typical locations, achieving over $2 million in sales within the first eight weeks [6] - Future expansion plans include opening another restaurant in the Atlanta region, approximately 50 miles from the Kennesaw location, scheduled for 2027 [6]