Sponsored By

Pizza Inn names Randy Gier CEOPizza Inn names Randy Gier CEO

Gier succeeds Charles Morrison, who left Pizza Inn in June

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

November 9, 2012

1 Min Read
Nation's Restaurant News logo in a gray background | Nation's Restaurant News

Pizza Inn Holdings Inc. has named industry veteran Randy Gier chief executive, the company said Friday.

Gier most recently was founder and chief executive of Plano, Texas-based Savvy Fare Restaurant Group, which is parent to the fast-casual Cedars Woodfire Grill. Gier succeeds Charles Morrison, who left Pizza Inn in June to become president and chief executive at Wingstop Restaurant Corp.

RELATED
Pizza Inn names Jerome Trojan CFO
Pizza Inn to expand Pie Five Pizza Co.
More restaurant industry executive changes

Pizza Inn’s interim chairman, Clinton J. Coleman, will return to his seat on The Colony, Texas-based company’s board, the company said.

“Randy brings an incredible resume to his new job, and he joins Pizza Inn Holdings at a pivotal moment in the company's history,” Coleman said in a statement.

The company’s concepts include the buffet-style Pizza Inn brand and the eight-unit fast-casual Pie Five Pizza chain.

Gier has spent nearly 30 years in the food and beverage industry, including positions with the Pizza Hut and KFC divisions of Yum! Brands, as well as at the Dr Pepper/Snapple Group, Borden Dairy and PepsiCo.

“Pizza Inn is an iconic brand with considerable growth potential, and Pie Five is an exciting new brand poised to lead the fast-casual pizza segment. Together they are the dynamic duo of the pizza business,” Gier said in a statement.

Pie Five Pizza won a 2012 Hot Concept award from Nation's Restaurant News earlier this year.

Pizza Inn has about 300 restaurants.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
Follow him on Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.