The basics:

• Esperto names industry veterans Madlener, Murrin, Rincon to leadership roles
• Executives will help expand Daddy’s Chicken Shack franchise
• First NJ location planned for Tinton Falls this year
• Esperto aims to grow the brand across the East Coast

Weeks after purchasing Daddy’s Chicken Shack, Esperto Hospitality Group is bringing in three industry veterans to help drive growth of its newly acquired fast-casual brand.

The Holmdel-based multi-concept operator recently welcomed:

• Todd Madlener as president and chief development officer
• Ryan Murrin as chief marketing officer
• Mike Rincon as director of development

The hires come as Esperto prepares to open its first Daddy’s Chicken Shack later this year in Tinton Falls. Along with developing additional New Jersey locations, Esperto is working on a long-term strategy to grow the brand along the East Coast via franchising.

Founded in 2018, Daddy’s Chicken Shack’s Southern-inspired menu includes buttermilk-brined, hand-battered chicken, house-made pickles and scratch-made sauces.

The chain has said its five-year-old franchise program has resulted in about 160 development agreements. As of July 2026, it has just one location open – Austin, Texas.

Esperto was among the first franchise groups to sign a deal with Daddy’s Chicken Shack.

As part of the initial agreement announced in April 2024, the firm said it would launch 13 Daddy’s Chicken Shack locations in Monmouth and Ocean counties over the next few years. The first outpost is scheduled to open by the third quarter of 2026 in Tinton Falls, according to Esperto.

In May, Esperto took ownership of the brand from Colorado private-equity firm Area 15 Ventures. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Growing ‘the right way’

Current Esperto President John DiLeo, who is also founder and chairman, said the new hires are “exactly the kind of leaders we want at this stage of our growth.”

“We just brought Daddy’s into the family, and now we have the team to do it justice. Todd has built and scaled franchise systems that work, and Ryan has shaped some of the most recognizable consumer brands in our industry.”

He added that Rincon “knows how to take a concept from a signed deal to an open restaurant.”

“Together, they bring the operational discipline and brand vision we need to grow this company the right way,” DiLeo said.

We just brought Daddy’s [Chicken Shack] into the family, and now we have the team to do it justice.
– John DiLeo, Esperto Hospitality Group, founder and chairman

Meet the team

Madlener’s 30-plus years in the industry includes two decades at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers leading franchise operations for more than 100 locations. He has also held senior leadership roles at salad-and-bowl chain MAD Greens and fresh food concept Coolgreens.

At Esperto, he’ll oversee franchise expansion and operational systems across the portfolio. The firm said Madlener will have “an immediate focus on building out Daddy’s Chicken Shack.”

Murrin joins Esperto with more than 20 years of brand and marketing experience across restaurant, franchise and consumer packaged goods. After spending 15 years as a marketing lead with Chipotle Mexican Grill, Murrin went on to serve as chief marketing officer at Panchero’s Mexican Grill.

His background also includes roles at direct-to-consumer brand Ka’Chava and virtual restaurant company Nextbite. Esperto added that Murrin worked with Daddy’s Chicken Shack when the brand was owned by Area 15.

Rincon joined Daddy’s Chicken Shack in 2022 as director of franchisee onboarding and was promoted to vice president of franchise relations and construction in 2024. He was responsible for guiding franchisees through site selection, location approval and buildout. At Esperto, he leads construction and onboarding as the company opens new locations.

A chicken concept with ‘real legs’

Commenting on his new role, Madlener said, “Esperto has the operational foundation and leadership culture you rarely find together.”

Esperto’s lineup of about a half dozen eateries features several of its own upscale concepts, such as Covo Italian Steakhouse, The Office Restaurant & Lounge, Catezza Italian Kitchen & Bar, Local House Kitchen + Bar and Café Pari.

After noting the operator’s “portfolio of concepts that perform,” Madlener said, “Daddy’s Chicken Shack is a brand with real legs. The chance to help scale all of it from here, starting with Daddy’s, is one I couldn’t pass up.”

Murrin shared, “What drew me to Esperto is the same thing that drew me to Chipotle 20 years ago: real food, real hospitality, and real growth potential,” said Murrin. “I got to know Daddy’s in a previous chapter, and I always believed the concept deserved the right operator. Esperto is that operator. There’s a clear vision here and a leadership team willing to invest in building brands the right way.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 3:21 p.m. July 9, 2026, to include information about a third new executive, Mike Rincon.