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Marco’s Pizza names new chief financial officerMarco’s Pizza names new chief financial officer

Jeffrey Rager will lead financial strategy as the brand eyes national expansion

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

May 6, 2019

1 Min Read
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Marco’s Pizza has named Jeffrey Rager its new chief financial officer as the 880-unit chain looks to expand nationwide.

Rager will oversee the financial strategy and capital planning for the company, with a focus on improving profitability, operational efficiency and financial performance of the pizza chain.

"Jeffrey's vast experience in creating financial strategies will make him an essential component in achieving our business and growth objectives," Tony Libardi, Marco’s president and chief operating officer said in a statement. "Jeffrey has an uncanny ability to roll out new ideas that financially support everyone from the executive level to local staff and franchisees. Jeffrey offers the perspective and leadership we need as Marco's continues to expand its nationwide footprint."

Prior to joining Toledo, Ohio-based Marco’s Pizza, Rager served as CFO of the Minneapolis-based microbrewery chain Granite City Food & Brewery, where he worked to reduce discounting to increase systemwide profitability. He has also worked with other notable chains, such as Joe’s Crab Shack and the Yum Brands portfolio of brands.

"The care and passion everyone in the Marco's Pizza family has towards one another and the business is amazing. Marco's Pizza has unlimited potential when it comes to growth," Rager said in a statement. "After 25 years of leading brands toward a path of financial productivity, I am confident that our team will be able to support the growth vision of Marco's Pizza."

Marco’s Pizza reported $561.3 million in U.S. systemwide sales and is the seventh largest pizza player in the country, according to 2018 NRN Top 200 data. In the 2017 Top 200 report, Marco’s Pizza was the third-fastest growing chain, by U.S. systemwide sales growth.

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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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