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MOD Pizza names Paul Twohig COOMOD Pizza names Paul Twohig COO

Operations VP Chris Schultz to oversee international development

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

July 19, 2017

2 Min Read
MOD Pizza
Molly Piper

modpizzapaultwohig_0.gifMOD Super Fast Pizza Holdings LLC has named industry veteran Paul Twohig to the newly created position of chief operating officer, the company said Wednesday. 

Twohig retired earlier this year as president of Dunkin’ Donuts’ U.S. and Canadian operations, after holding executive positions at Starbucks Corp. and Panera Bread Co.

The Seattle-based parent to the fast-casual MOD Pizza chain said that with Twohig’s appointment, Chris Schultz, former senior vice president of operations, would take on the new role of senior vice president for international development.

Scott Svenson, CEO and co-founder of MOD Pizza with his wife, Ally, said they first met Twohig in 1998, when Starbucks acquired Seattle Coffee Co., which they had built in the United Kingdom.

“He has been a friend and trusted advisor since then, including helping us as we developed the plan to launch MOD in 2008,” Svenson said in a statement.

Twohig has served on MOD Pizza’s advisory board since that year.

“Not only will Paul bring world-class experience and expertise to the team as we continue our journey of building the leading fast-casual pizza brand in the world, but he will also be a fantastic champion for our culture and mission of using the business as a platform to make a positive social impact,” Svenson said.

“We are also extremely grateful for the leadership Chris Schultz has provided over the past seven years and are excited about the opportunities he will be pursuing to introduce MOD to markets outside the U.S.,” he said.

MOD Pizza has more than 235 locations in 23 states and the United Kingdom, with further international expansion plans.

“This is an exciting time to be involved with MOD,” Twohig said, who added that it was “worth delaying retirement for a few more years.”

“I am thrilled to put my energy behind another brand that is not only the leader in its segment, but is wholly committed to building a people-first culture,” he said.

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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