Dillas Quesadillas Named New COO for Growth Push
The Plano-based chain hired a veteran executive to oversee daily operations as it targets 50 units by 2028.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in People
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Dillas Quesadillas promoted Michael Mabry to the newly created role of chief operating officer effective October 7, 2026. The move aims to stabilize leadership as the restaurant chain prepares to scale its operations.
Why it matters
The appointment allows founders Kyle and Maggie Gordon to pivot their focus toward long-term capital and growth strategy. By centralizing management, the company looks to maintain efficiency while pursuing a multi-year expansion goal.
The firm is targeting $20 million in systemwide sales for 2026 across its current 11 locations. The brand aims to grow to 50 total units by 2028.
The players
Michael Mabry
The new chief operating officer with 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry.
Kyle and Maggie Gordon
The founders of Dillas Quesadillas who established the company in 2013 and now focus on growth and capital.
Dillas Quesadillas
A North Texas-based restaurant chain currently operating 11 locations.
The details
Mabry, who joined in August 2025 as head of franchise development, now oversees daily operations, marketing, and franchise sales. The company has spent two years streamlining menu offerings, investing in internal technology, and refining restaurant processes to support a broader footprint. The new COO role was designed to professionalize management as the firm expands beyond its North Texas roots, including recent openings at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Timeline
2013: Dillas Quesadillas was founded.
August 2025: Michael Mabry joined the company as head of franchise development.
October 7, 2026: Michael Mabry began his role as chief operating officer.
2026: The company projects $20 million in systemwide sales.
2028: The target date to reach 50 total restaurant locations.
Market Landscape
The move aligns with the standard path for founder-led firms transitioning to professionalized management as they scale toward a larger footprint. This internal shift often follows a period of heavy investment in process standardization and technology to ensure consistent service across new sites.
Operators looking to scale should note the two-year preparatory phase of streamlining menus and technology that preceded this executive hire. Scaling requires the delegation of day-to-day operations to dedicated leadership to ensure that growth does not compromise existing service standards.
The takeaway
Founders must eventually shift from direct operational oversight to strategic planning to unlock the next growth tier. Track how this division of labor impacts the company's ability to hit its 2028 target of 50 locations compared to its 2026 revenue baseline.
Further reading
For more on shifts in restaurant leadership, see the latest updates in People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Bossier Press-tribune.
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