Mina Haque isn't the likeliest person to turn around a once-popular food franchise. She's a lawyer by trade and, until a few years ago, didn't have any restaurant experience. But that didn't stop her from accepting the challenge and taking over as interim CEO of Tony Roma's in 2023.

"I'm a very happy attorney," she says, "I still practice law, but I couldn't turn them down — their investors wanted to protect their investment, and they liked how I think and my approach and leadership skills, and they wanted someone tested. So, here I am."

Now, Haque is embarking on a comeback plan to return the once-thriving franchise to prominence — and then to even greater heights.

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Founded in 1972 in Miami, Florida, Tony Roma's, known for its baby back ribs and family-friendly atmosphere, was once a popular destination for casual dining across the country. At its peak in the early 1990s, the franchise had 260 locations across the U.S., concentrated in Florida and California.

But, as consumer tastes shifted and competition in the casual dining space intensified, Tony Roma's........

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