The Attorney CEO: How I’m Saving A 54-Year-Old Legacy Brand | Ep. 307 with Mina Haque CEO of Tony Roma

Episode notes

Mina Haque shares her unconventional path from running her own law firm to leading one of the most iconic restaurant brands in the world. The conversation explores how entrepreneurial problem-solving prepared her to transform a legacy company, how nostalgia and modernization can coexist, and why resilience matters more than virality in today’s economy. Key Discussion Points Mina explains how being an entrepreneur trained her to operate without a playbook, constantly solving problems and building from scratch, skills she now applies in leading Tony Roma’s global transformation. She discusses the privilege and responsibility of stewarding a 54-year-old brand that spans five continents, balancing nostalgia with modernization through smaller footprints, delivery channels, and digital engagement. At Davos, she introduced the concept of neuroplasticity to frame change as a catalyst for growth, arguing that leaders must design adaptable environments where teams can rewire and learn. She also reflects on unlearning purely mechanical legal thinking to embrace the human and relational side of franchising and long-term partnerships.