October 5, 2007 ( Coppell, Texas) – In an act to build a deeper management infrastructure, CiCi’s Pizza announced today the promotion of three key personnel and a new hire for the company. The change positions CiCi’s to take optimal advantage of its continuing rapid growth in the fast-casual restaurant segment.

“These changes will help us make the best use of CiCi’s most valuable resource – its people,” said Craig Moore, president of CiCi’s Pizza. “It’s always a pleasure to be able to promote from within. These employees have shown they are utilizing their talents and abilities and are ready to apply them to positions of increased responsibility in order to drive our continued growth We are gratified that the company has built the management depth to allow for these promotions.”
Donnie Robertson assumed a newly-created position as Director of Local Store Marketing (LSM) for CiCi’s Pizza. As part of the marketing department over the last year, Robertson’s strategic vision, leadership skills and overall enthusiasm for the brand have helped energize CiCi’s LSM culture. Robertson has received consistent positive feedback from CiCi’s operators throughout the system and he has excelled many of the LSM programs to top rated levels.

Chris Patterson has been promoted to Senior Corporate Trainer. Patterson joined the CiCi’s University team two years ago, prior to being a manager within one of CiCi’s franchise groups. Patterson is a valuable resource for CiCi’s franchisees, managers, and support team and helps others grow their knowledge and abilities. He is a great example of the caliber of talent our franchisees develop every day, having come to the training team after developing as a manager within a franchisee group.

Amie Martin has been promoted to Marketing Manager and will assume management responsibilities over the brand’s public relations efforts. She has made substantial contributions to CiCi’s over the past two years, building relationships with franchisees and assisting with their marketing needs.

“Donnie, Chris and Amie are company veterans who have been an important part of CiCi’s success story,” said Tom Koenigsberg, chief marketing officer for CiCi’s Pizza. “These changes will allow each of them to contribute to CiCi’s in a greater way, and will help us to better realize the potential we see ahead for our concept and company.”
New to the brand is Jeff Moran, who will be CiCi’s Assistant Corporate Controller. He is a CPA and CMA and holds an MBA. For the past seven years, Moran worked as the CFO for Nickels and Dimes, a 430-unit retail chain. Prior Nickels & Dimes, Moran was the controller for a franchise owner of Frullati Cafe’.

Founded in 1985, CiCi’s Pizza is a family-oriented restaurant serving guests fresh pizza, pasta, salad and dessert – all for under $5.00.  CiCi’s 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, CiCi’s has grown to over 600 restaurants in 29 states.

Industry professionals have taken notice of CiCi’s Pizza continuous growth and success.  Nation’s Restaurant News has ranked CiCi’s number one for sales and unit growth in the pizza chain category for the past three years.  In its recent 2007 ranking, Entrepreneur magazine designated CiCi’s as the top brand in the Italian restaurant franchise category.  StartupJournal.com, The Wall Street Journal’s guide for entrepreneurs, ranked CiCi’s 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.  Other honors include “Best in Value” award among national pizza chains in Restaurants and Institutions magazine’s 2006 Consumers’ Choice Report and “Best Customer Service” from Corporate Research International in 2007, 2006 and 2005.