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Cicis names new chief operating officerCicis names new chief operating officer

Industry veteran Jini Foust joins pizza brand

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

March 8, 2017

1 Min Read
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Cici Enterprises LP has named restaurant industry veteran Jini Foust as chief operating officer, the company said this week.

Foust succeeds Steven Jones, who had been COO at the Irving, Texas-based pizza buffet chain since April 2015.

Jini Foust. Photo: Cicis Pizza

JiniFoust_COO_Cicis_Pizza.jpgFoust will oversee Cicis’ franchise and corporate operations, operations service and training.

“Jini adds incredible depth and experience to our operations team and will be an invaluable asset as we continue to enhance operations excellence in all of our restaurants,” said Darin Harris, Cicis CEO, in a statement.

Foust has worked more than 30 years in the multi-unit restaurant industry, including 10 years with McDonald’s Corp. and 23 years at Yum! Brands Inc. She most recently served as Taco Bell Corp.’s vice president of company operations and facilities maintenance.

“My love for restaurants started in high school when I took my first job and has grown throughout my career,” Foust said. “Now I’m excited to bring that passion to Cicis.”

Cici’s has nearly 450 restaurants in 33 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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