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Little Caesars announces three new technology executivesLittle Caesars announces three new technology executives

Little Caesars bolsters its IT team with three internal promotions to two chief information officer roles and a chief information security officer position

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

June 18, 2024

1 Min Read
Little Caesars 1
Little Caesars is bolstering its tech team.Little Caesars

Joanna Fantozzi

Little Caesars' parent company Ilitch announced Tuesday the promotion of three executives to key leadership roles within the company’s technology division, who will oversee technology infrastructure and cybersecurity at the Detroit-based pizza chain, as well as elevate technology throughout the entire Ilitch portfolio.

  • Keith Faigin was promoted to chief information officer, restaurant systems, after a 10-year career at Little Caesars. Previously, he oversaw multiple software initiatives at the company and focused his career on the Little Caesars e-commerce platform.

  • Afia Phillips has been promoted from vice president of information security to chief information security officer. In her previous role, Phillips established a “strategic enterprise information security program” to mitigate cybersecurity risks across Ilitch.

  • Lance Shinabarger has been promoted from senior vice president information technology-enterprise systems and global infrastructure to chief information officer, shared technologies and applications after seven years of working at Little Caesars. He previously led the global infrastructure for Little Caesars, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, and other Ilitch companies.

"These promotions highlight the incredible talent and dedication of our leadership team," Anita Klopfenstein, global chief information officer, said in a statement. "Keith, Afia, and Lance have consistently demonstrated their commitment to innovation and excellence through their strong leadership. We are confident that they will continue to drive our technology initiatives forward."

Related:Little Caesars adds modular units to its development portfolio

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About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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