John Iannucci is the Chief Executive Officer of Agave & Stone Hospitality, a bold and growing restaurant group based in Houston, Texas, that delivers exceptional hospitality and vibrant, authentic dining experiences celebrating the spirit of Mexican cuisine and Culture. With more than 25 years of leadership experience at iconic brands like The Cheesecake Factory, Logan’s Roadhouse and BurgerFi, John is focused on scaling Agave & Stone’s brands while maintaining their authentic charm. The company’s current portfolio includes Fat Rosie’s Taco & Tequila Bar, a high-energy taco and tequila concept known for its colorful “Fluent in Fiesta” atmosphere, and Escalante’s Fine Tex-Mex, Houston’s go-to destination for elevated Tex-Mex dining for more than 30 years. Since stepping into his role in 2024, he’s strengthened its operational foundations, built a high- performing leadership team, and overseen the continued development of both brands, including the strategic new market entry of Fat Rosie’s first location outside of Chicago at Orlando’s Waterford Lakes Town Center this spring.
Whether opening unit No. 2 or 200, the real test of a brand is whether its identity holds as it grows. This session digs into how emerging and scaling concepts protect their core DNA while expanding into new markets, new formats, and new guest expectations. We’ll unpack the “portability” question (where does your concept truly fit?), and how to localize without losing yourself. From menu tweaks to design flexes to franchise vs. corporate growth paths, operators will share where they invest time, money, and energy to scale with intention.
