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CiCi’s Pizza names Jim Lebs CFOCiCi’s Pizza names Jim Lebs CFO

Lebs succeeds Forbes Anderson, who left CiCi’s in October

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

December 11, 2014

1 Min Read
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CiCi's Pizza has named industry veteran Jim Lebs chief financial officer, the company said Thursday.

Lebs succeeds Forbes Anderson, who left Coppell, Texas-based CiCi’s Enterprises LP in October, a spokeswoman said.

Lebs most recently was vice president for supply chain at Oklahoma City-based Sonic Drive-In.

Prior to Sonic, Lebs was a leader at Jack in the Box Inc. for nearly eight years, where he served in a variety of roles that included division vice president of accounting operations, director of operations, a divisional vice president of supply chain systems, and a divisional vice president of financial planning and analysis.
 
“Jim’s financial leadership, coupled with a deep understanding of operations and supply chain, will be a huge asset to CiCi’s as we look to revitalize and transform our brand,” Darin Harris, CiCi’s chief executive, said in a statement. “Bringing a leader of his caliber to CiCi’s is part of our strategic plan to be better at everything we do.”
 
CiCi’s, known for its value pizza buffet format, has seen several upper-level executive changes in the past months. In October, CiCi’s named Sarah McAloon chief marketing officer.

In Nation’s Restaurant News’ most recent Top 100 census, CiCi’s Pizza ranked No. 91 in U.S. systemwide foodservice sales, with $441 million in fiscal 2013. That was a decrease from a No. 82 ranking in the prior year, with $473 million in systemwide sales for 2012.

CiCi’s Pizza, which opened its first restaurant in 1985, has nearly 500 units in 34 states.

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

 

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