California Pizza Kitchen adds 4 restaurant, finance leaders to board

January 13, 2021

Following the completion of financial restructuring and emergence from Chapter 11, California Pizza Kitchen has named four board members, including:

Letting go, learning, leading: Pizza execs look back at a harrowing year

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

It was a year of excruciating decisions, uncontrollable conditions and lots and lots of leaps -- if not catapult-rides -- of faith in the pizza business. Here…

Pizza Inn CEO calls for election reform

January 6, 2021

Longtime and rarely publicly politically active pizza brand, Pizza Inn, has released statements today from CEO Brandon Solano that question the viability and…

California Pizza Kitchen names veteran finance exec as CFO

December 16, 2020

Following news in late July that it filed for Chapter 11 protection, California Pizza Kitchen has named restaurant finance executive, Judd Tirnauer as its CFO…

Squisito Pizza and Pasta names managing partner

December 3, 2020

Squisito's parent company, Monte Restaurant Development Group, has named restaurant developer, Todd Kosakowski. as managing partner and franchisee. In his…

Pizza Hut co-founder dead at 82

December 3, 2020

Frank Carney, the man who worked with his brother to start Pizza Hut in Wichita, Kansas 62 years ago, died Dec. 2 at 82 of pneumonia, the Wichita Eagle…

Blaze, Cousins, Torchy's, &Pizza, Slim Chickens CEOs: 'Chaos is the new normal'

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

In this recent Fast Casual Executive Summit roundtable, &pizza Co-founder and CEO Michael Lastoria, Blaze Pizza CEO Mandy Shaw, Cousins Subs CEO Christine…

[Fast Casual Executive Summit 2020] Women in the Lead: Keeping the Momentum Going

This panel brings together several female leaders of the fast casual industry who will discuss how they overcame the challenges they faced on their way to the…

Presented by Fast Casual Executive Summit

Veteran of the 'restaurant brand voice' to lead Toppers marketing

October 30, 2020

Former ad agency veteran and food brand marketing mind, Greg Wold, has been named Toppers Pizza vice president of marketing, a news release said.

HMS Host COO to restaurateurs: Stop trying to do it all

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

HMS Host COO Joe Thornton relayed a case study around his experience transforming Jamba as a prime example of how restaurant leaders can be more effective by…

ZaLat: How 'stoners' + simplification built a better pizza brand

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

A one-time corporate attorney and software business owner moved into the pizza trade to find his true professional passion, as well as a new appreciation for a…

Dick's Sporting Goods president named to Yum Brands board

October 12, 2020

Yum Brands Inc. has named Lauren R. Hobart, president of Dick's Sporting Goods Inc., to its board, effective Nov. 12, a news release said. Hobart, a former…

Blaze adds CMO, chief restaurant officer

October 12, 2020

Blaze Pizza has named Vince Szwajkowski, a former movie theater and hotel executive as its CMO, and Rick Gestring, a former operating systems and restaurant…

Papa John's CEO joins racial equity group committee

October 7, 2020

Papa John's President and CEO Rob Lynch has joined the governing committee of the newly launched CEO Action for Racial Equity fellowship, which puts chief…

Pie Five, Pizza Inn parent adds executives to franchise development team

October 6, 2020

Rave Restaurant Group Inc., the Pizza Inn and Pie Five parent, has hired two executives away from Bojangles' to help lead its franchise development efforts.

Papa John's names former Target leader to CFO role

Incoming Papa John's CFO Ann Gugino brings more than 20 years of corporate financial leadership experience to the role.

The pandemic-era pizza workplace: 4 ways to help employees, business thrive

by Chad Halvorson — Chief Experience Officer, When I Work

It's no secret that consumer concern about safety while eating out is our new reality, and pizza restaurant operators are doing everything they can to bring…

Pizza Hut CEO joins First Book board

September 30, 2020

Pizza Hut CEO Artie Starrs has joined the board of directors of Washington, D.C.-based First Book, a national nonprofit social enterprise focused on equal…

Domino's promotes tech chief to EVP

September 22, 2020

Domino's Pizza Inc. has promoted Kelly Garcia, senior vice president and chief technology officer, to executive vice president and CTO, effective Oct. 2.

Marco's names veteran marketing strategist as CMO

September 15, 2020

Marco's Pizza has hired one of the key agency players in the strategy behind its brand assignment three years ago to lead its marketing operations. Chris…