MOD Super Fast Pizza Holdings LLC has named industry veteran Paul Twohig to the newly created position of chief operating officer, the company said Wednesday.
Twohig retired earlier this year as president of Dunkin’ Donuts’ U.S. and Canadian operations, after holding executive positions at Starbucks Corp. and Panera Bread Co.
The Seattle-based parent to the fast-casual MOD Pizza chain said that with Twohig’s appointment, Chris Schultz, former senior vice president of operations, would take on the new role of senior vice president for international development.
Scott Svenson, CEO and co-founder of MOD Pizza with his wife, Ally, said they first met Twohig in 1998, when Starbucks acquired Seattle Coffee Co., which they had built in the United Kingdom.
“He has been a friend and trusted advisor since then, including helping us as we developed the plan to launch MOD in 2008,” Svenson said in a statement.
Twohig has served on MOD Pizza’s advisory board since that year.
“Not only will Paul bring world-class experience and expertise to the team as we continue our journey of building the leading fast-casual pizza brand in the world, but he will also be a fantastic champion for our culture and mission of using the business as a platform to make a positive social impact,” Svenson said.
“We are also extremely grateful for the leadership Chris Schultz has provided over the past seven years and are excited about the opportunities he will be pursuing to introduce MOD to markets outside the U.S.,” he said.
MOD Pizza has more than 235 locations in 23 states and the United Kingdom, with further international expansion plans.
“This is an exciting time to be involved with MOD,” Twohig said, who added that it was “worth delaying retirement for a few more years.”
“I am thrilled to put my energy behind another brand that is not only the leader in its segment, but is wholly committed to building a people-first culture,” he said.
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