Patrick Terry is stepping aside as CEO of Austin-based P. Terry’s Burger Stand, the uber-popular burger chain he co-founded in 2005. A former executive at two other Texas institutions — Taco Cabana and Whataburger — is stepping in to succeed him.

Todd Coerver, who’s been CEO of Denver-based burger chain Larkburger for a little over two years, will take over as CEO of P. Terry’s effective March 1, according to a release.

In May, P. Terry’s is scheduled to open a location in San Marcos, with four more Central Texas locations set to open in the next 18 months.

“Aside from opening San Marcos in May, we will be going to Georgetown and then Pflugerville. After that, we plan on going to Houston. From there, who knows?” Patrick Terry tells CultureMap, invoking the same coy answer he used last summer. “Todd has the experience to take us to Houston and hopefully beyond.”

Before joining Larkburger, which operates eight locations in Colorado, Coerver spent almost seven years as chief brand officer and then chief operating officer at Dallas-based Taco Cabana. Previously, he did a 14-year stint at San Antonio-based Whataburger, including six years as vice president of marketing and innovation.

Aside from the P. Terry’s chain, Coerver will oversee the company’s latest concept, Taco Ranch. P. Terry’s has 15 restaurants in the Austin area along with Taco Ranch's two locations.

Terry says he’ll assume the title of “founder” but tells CultureMap he’s not retiring. “As founder, I plan on spending more time in our restaurants, which is, of course, how I started,” he says.

In the release, Terry calls Coerver “the perfect person” to guide the growth of P. Terry’s. The company conducted a nationwide search for Terry’s successor.

“I’m truly honored Patrick and Kathy have entrusted me to shepherd their very special company forward,” Coerver says in the release. “I’ve always been a huge fan, and I’m excited at the opportunity to return to Texas to help them write their next chapter.”