Bad Ass Coffee of Hawaii Names Tom Wylie President Amid Expansion

Wylie joined the company earlier this year as Chief Operating Officer, bringing over two decades of experience from roles at Papa John’s and Burn Boot Camp. His transition into the top leadership role is part of a broader corporate restructuring that includes moving the brand’s home base from Denver to Lexington. This geographic shift aims to anchor the company’s supply chain closer to its growing cluster of East Coast stores.

Beyond the leadership changes, the brand has expanded its executive team, naming Iain Douglas as Chief Strategy and Brand Officer and adding several new directors to oversee communications, franchise development, and marketing. These administrative moves follow a period of growth that saw the company reach 48 locations, largely driven by existing franchisees investing in additional units. Wylie emphasizes that this internal expansion is a testament to the brand's strengthened unit-level economics and operational discipline.

To support this trajectory, the company is finalizing a comprehensive overhaul of its back-office systems, designed to provide operators with deeper insights into store performance. With 13 new openings projected by the end of 2026, the company is prioritizing sustainable growth over rapid, unvetted expansion. This momentum earned the franchise a spot on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, signaling a firm market position as the brand prepares for further development across the United States.