Blaze Pizza LLC has named Chris Demery to the new position of chief technology officer, the company said Thursday.
The Pasadena, Calif.-based Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza said Demery joins the company from his most recent position as senior vice president at P.F. Chang's, where he was responsible for developing the roadmap of its P.F. Chang's To Go off-premise concept.
“Chris brings such a unique perspective with his deep knowledge of digital, pizza and also operational off-premise expertise and he will be invaluable in contributing to the immense growth planned for Blaze,” said Mandy Shaw, Blaze Pizza CEO and president, in a statement.
Prior to P.F. Chang’s, Demery worked six years at Tampa, Fla.-based Bloomin’ Brands Inc., overseeing the company’s external-facing technology and helping to develop and launch the first Outback Steakhouse app. He also served as vice president of enterprise applications at Domino’s Pizza.
“After having the pleasure of working with Mandy for several years at Bloomin’ Brands, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to join her team of superb leaders at Blaze and be a part of taking this trailblazing concept to new heights,” Demery said.
In October, Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza expanded its executive ranks with the appointment of Vince Szwajkowski as chief marketing officer and Rick Gestring as chief restaurant officer.
Blaze Pizza, backed by private-equity firm Brentwood Associates, has more than 340 restaurants in 41 states and six countries.
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