Rock N Roll Sushi has named Rick Gestring chief executive officer, handing leadership of the 80-unit sushi concept to an operator whose résumé spans franchised quick-service brands including KFC, Taco Bell, Dunkin' and Arby's.

Gestring arrives from Tasty Restaurant Group, where he served as Brand Officer overseeing the company's KFC and Taco Bell portfolio. Before that, he held the Chief Restaurant Officer post at Blaze Pizza and served as Senior Vice President of franchise operations at Honey Baked Ham. Earlier career stops include leadership roles at Dunkin', Arby's, Starbucks, Peet's Coffee and Taco Bell. That track record — heavily weighted toward franchise-system management — matches the chain's stated priorities: strengthening restaurant operational performance, supporting franchisees and expanding the brand's footprint.

"Rock N Roll Sushi's unique American-style sushi brand positioning, coupled with an electrifying restaurant experience and creative menu offerings, have created a tremendously loyal fan following," Gestring said in a statement. "I look forward to leading the brand, in collaboration with our incredible franchisees and support teams, as together we turn up the volume on growth and expansion."

Gestring succeeds Craig LeMieux, who has led the chain since 2023 and guided it through what the company describes as a period of significant expansion. The two have worked closely on a planned leadership transition intended to preserve continuity as the brand scales beyond its current 80 locations.

"When I joined Rock N Roll Sushi, I saw an opportunity to lead a truly distinctive brand," LeMieux said. "I'm proud of what our team and franchise partners have accomplished, and I know Rick understands what makes this brand and its franchise community special. I'm looking forward to seeing where he takes Rock N Roll Sushi next."

Sam Osborne, Chairman of the Board at Rock N Roll Sushi, framed the appointment as a bet on franchise-system depth rather than a change in direction.

"Rick brings a valuable combination of restaurant expertise, franchise knowledge and a fresh perspective to Rock N Roll Sushi," Osborne said. "The board is confident in his ability to build on the foundation that has been established while identifying new opportunities to strengthen the brand, support our franchise partners and position Rock N Roll Sushi for long-term growth."

The leadership change comes as the chain positions itself for what it calls sustainable franchise growth. For a concept built on an American-style sushi menu and a music-themed experience, the immediate questions for Gestring will be unit economics at the franchisee level and whether the 80-store base can absorb faster expansion without straining operator support — the same calculus he managed across large franchised systems at Blaze Pizza and Tasty Restaurant Group. The company says the brand enters this chapter with significant momentum, and Gestring's mandate now is converting that momentum into new units.