January 19, 2010 (COPPELL ,TEXAS) Under the new restructuring plan recently announced by CiCi’s Pizza, CEO Michael R. Shumsky promoted Forbes Anderson to Chief Strategic Officer, Tim Alba to Chief Financial Officer and Chris Patterson to Director of People Development. The restructuring has resulted in new organizational re-alignments to better support the CiCis franchisees, provide an industry leading experience for its guests and ultimately own the value position in the pizza segment. 

Anderson is charged with heading up CiCi’s Franchise Development Department, a merger of the Real Estate, Franchising, and Construction departments. His focus will be on strategic and long-term growth for the company, including potential acquisitions. Anderson joined CiCi Enterprises, LP in 1996 and was previously Chief Financial Officer for the chain. 

“Forbes has been involved with CiCi’s Pizza for more than a decade, working to strategically position the company for accelerated growth,” said Shumsky. “His extensive experience combined with his oversight of the newly created Franchise Development Department will provide this group the leadership needed to improve efficiency while ensuring that all involved will be working cohesively towards the same metrics.”

Tim Alba has been promoted to CiCis Pizza Chief Financial Officer. Alba joined CiCi Enterprises, LP in January 1998 and previously served as Vice President/Corporate Controller for the accounting, financial and administrative aspects of the pizza chain. 

“Tim Alba brings extraordinary credentials to the role of CFO at CiCi’s Pizza,” said Anderson. “His incredible passion and focus are crucial to the on going success of our brand and our continued plans for growth. He is a true example of why succession plans are so important.

In addition to Anderson and Alba, Chris Patterson, who has been with the company for 16 years, has been promoted from Senior Corporate Trainer to Director of People Development under Franchise Services. His responsibilities will be to provide knowledge, tools and passion to the CiCi’s family. Patterson will be involved in creating and developing exciting new tools and resources to grow CiCi’s leaders.

“Chris’ dedication to the CiCi’s brand and his intense desire to help everyone be great makes him the perfect selection to lead our People Development team,” said Steve Hawter, VP of Franchise Services for CiCi’s. “CiCi’s franchisees will benefit as Chris creates a state of the art training and development program that allows franchisees to develop leaders in their restaurants.”

About CiCis Pizza

Founded in 1985, CiCi’s Pizza is a family-oriented restaurant serving guests fresh pizza, pasta, salad and dessert, all you want for about five bucks and change. CiCis mission then and now is to exceed each guest’s expectation in food, service and cleanliness at an affordable price. Since opening its first restaurant in Plano, Texas, CiCis has grown to 630 restaurants in 33 states. 

Industry professionals have taken notice of CiCis Pizza’s continuous growth and success. USA Today featured CiCi’s Pizza in the Money section positioning the brand as the value leader within the restaurant industry. In 2009, Restaurants & Institutions Consumers’ Choice in Chains recognized CiCi’s Pizza as a top pizza chain in America, as well as an honor in Best in Value. Nation’s Restaurant News has ranked CiCis number one for sales and unit growth in the pizza chain category for the past three years. In its recent 2009 ranking, Entrepreneur magazine’s Annual Franchise Top 500 issue, ranked CiCi’s Pizza as number one in the Italian restaurant industry category an honor the company also received in 2007. Men’s Health recently included CiCi’s Pizza in its list of America’s Healthiest Restaurants. StartupJournal.com, The Wall Street Journals guide for entrepreneurs, ranked CiCis as one of the top 25 highest-performing brands in the nation and Franchise Today placed the company in the top 200 of all franchise concepts. For more information visit www.cicispizza.com.