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Pieology names first presidentPieology names first president

Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

June 18, 2014

2 Min Read
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Pieology has named Bob Baker president, the first for the rapidly growing fast-casual pizza chain, the company said Wednesday.

Carl Chang, founder and chief executive of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.-based Pieology, said Baker shared his philosophies on leadership, passion for food and building a community-based brand.

“He has a strong and enduring passion for the restaurant industry, as demonstrated by his 25 years in the business,” Chang said in a statement. “As we continue to expand across the nation, we believe Bob will be instrumental in strategically managing our growth to maintain and advance our uncompromising promise of quality and value to our guests.”

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Baker was previously president and chief financial officer of Salt Lake City-based Café Rio. In his nine-year tenure there, the fast-casual concept grew from six units to more than 70 locations.
 
Prior to that, Baker spent 13 years with Yum! Brands Inc.’s KFC brand. Later, he served as Yum’s senior director of corporate planning and strategy and USA controller.

Pieology was founded in 2011 and was one of the first fast-casual pizza players to open in California, which is now a hotbed for the growing niche. The chain is owned by the family of tennis champion Michael Chang; Carl Chang is his brother.

Pieology is known for its custom 11-and-a-half-inch pizzas, built by guests from more than 30 ingredients and baked in a stone-deck oven in about two minutes. Unlimited toppings are available for the set price of $7.95.

The chain operates and franchises 23 locations in California, Colorado, Texas and Oregon. By the end of the year, Pieology expects to reach 52 units.

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].
Follow her on Twitter: @livetodineout

About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

[email protected]

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

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