Staffing

Maria Rivera joins The Salty Donut as CEO

Source: The Salty Donut

November 3, 2026

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Maria RiveraCourtesy of The Salty DonutThe Salty Donut has named Maria Rivera CEO. She was appointed to the position in spring and has spent the past four months strengthening operations and establishing a leadership structure to support the Miami-based donut brand's next phase of growth.

Rivera most recently served as CEO of Smalls Sliders, where she built a committed 320-unit development pipeline. Previously, as president of Krispy Kreme U.S. and Canada, she helped lead the brand's evolution into a billion-dollar omnichannel business, tripling revenue and expanding its digital operations. Additional leadership stints include CEO of Starbird, director of operations at Hilton and Walt Disney World, and regional vice president at Darden Restaurants and TGI Fridays. She is founder and managing partner of RC Hospitality Group, an operator-led hospitality venture studio.

"As the first Latina to lead a U.S. restaurant brand, I couldn't be more excited to join one that is Latina founded," Rivera said in a press release. "The Salty already has the hardest thing to build: guests who line up for it. My job is everything behind that line: the systems, the team and the discipline that make every shop as good as the first."

The appointment also has generated a leadership change for the brand's founders. Amanda Pizarro, who launched The Salty as a pop-up during 2015 in Miami, becomes founder and chief brand officer. Her husband and co-founder, Andy Rodriguez, will continue as a board member.

The Salty Donut serves premium baked goods and coffee at more than 20 cafes across eight states.