Marco’s Pizza promotes former COO Tony Libardi to co-CEO to begin leadership transitionMarco’s Pizza promotes former COO Tony Libardi to co-CEO to begin leadership transition

Joanna Fantozzi

Toledo, Oh.-based Marco’s Pizza announced on Wednesday the promotion of former president and chief operating officer Tony Libardi to president and co-CEO, along with longtime CEO Jack Butorac, effective Dec. 28. The promotion is in preparation of what the company is calling a long-term transition of leadership from Butorac, who has been CEO of Marco’s Pizza since 2004, to Libardi.

“To say Tony is deserving of this promotion would be an understatement," Butorac, now Chairman and co-CEO at Marco's Pizza said in a statement. "Under Tony's leadership, Marco's evolved into a performance-driven culture that revolves around putting 'People First.'  […] We are very proud of the dedication, commitment and the overall impact he's had on this brand. I'm confident Tony will be a driving force behind the continued success of Marco's as we head into a new era as a 1,000-plus unit national brand."

Prior to joining Marco’s Pizza in 2014, Libardi was vice president of U.S. at Burger King, and before that, held leadership positions at Friendly’s Ice Cream. Once he joined Marco’s, he rose through the ranks from executive vice president of operations to chief operating officer. With 30 years of experience, he helped Marco’s move to a single POS system, launched their first national advertising program, and strengthened digital sales with enhanced online ordering, a mobile app, and third-party partnerships.

"It has been an honor to be part of the tremendous growth of this brand," Libardi said in a statement. "The success we've seen is a collective effort of our incredible executive leadership team, our committed support center, and all our franchisees and team members at the store level who deliver on our brand promise each and every day. I am humbled to step into this new role and drive our brand's stellar reputation forward as we catapult Marco's into the national spotlight."

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