(Press Release) THE COLONY, Texas, Jan. 7, 2013 — Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI) today announced the appointments of Flynn Dekker as Chief Marketing Officer for Pizza Inn, Inc. and Pie Five Pizza Co., and Chris Smith as Vice President of Operations for Pie Five.
“These are incredible individuals with impressive restaurant backgrounds at the highest levels for well-known chains,” said Randy Gier, CEO of Pizza Inn Holdings. “They join us at a monumental time for our company and will be great assets to our growing executive team as we champion our expanding business in the year ahead.”
As Chief Marketing Officer, Dekker, who has been consulting with the company since February of 2012, will continue to oversee marketing, public relations and communications for more than 300 domestic and international locations. He previously owned and operated his own restaurant near downtown Dallas, TX. Prior to that, he served as chief marketing officer for Brazilian steakhouse chain Fogo de Chão. Before that, he was the senior vice president of marketing for Metromedia Restaurant Group, with more than 700 restaurants, and six brands. He has also held key marketing positions with FedEx, Kinkos, EMI Music Distribution and Blockbuster.
As Vice President of Operations, Smith will lead the performance and expansion of the Pie Five concept which was named Hot Concept of the Year in 2012 by Nation’s Restaurant News. Smith started his restaurant career with Chipotle Mexican Grill as director of operations, spearheading the chain’s operations as it grew outside of Denver and into national prominence to define the fast-casual industry. Most recently, he served as regional director of the Southern U.S. for Smashburger, overseeing some 100 corporate and franchise locations. Prior to that he held senior management positions for the Mission Burrito chain and Star Concessions.