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CiCi’s new CEO restructures companyCiCi’s new CEO restructures company

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

January 8, 2010

1 Min Read
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Ron Ruggless

COPPELL Texas CiCi’s Enterprises LP, parent of the 630-unit pizza buffet chain, has started the new year with a corporate restructuring under new chief executive Michael R. Shumsky.

 

The restructuring “will position the company for success in 2010 and beyond,” said Shumsky, who joined CiCi’s in October. He replaced company veteran Craig Moore, who retired and kept an ownership position in the company.

 

 

 

CiCi’s said in a statement that “restructuring has resulted in new organizational realignments to better support the CiCi’s franchisees, provide an industry-leading experience for its guests and ultimately own the value position in the pizza segment.”

 

 

 

Shumsky, who has worked in such companies as La Madeleine, Johnny Rockets, Sonic and Taco Bell, has reorganized the corporate leadership into four departments: brand excellence, franchise services, brand value and franchise-development services.

 

 

 

Changes include:

 

 

 

-CiCi’s operations division is now led by Kyle Smith as vice president of brand excellence. Smith was previously vice president of operations.

 

 

 

-The former training department is led by Steve Hawter as vice president of franchise services. Hawter was vice president of training.

 

 

 

-Marketing functions remain under Tom Koenigsberg, who has the new title of chief brand officer. His previous title was chief marketing officer.

 

 

 

-The new franchise-development group is led by Forbes Anderson as chief strategic officer. The division includes the real estate, franchising and construction teams. Anderson previously was CiCi’s chief financial officer. Shumsky said the combined group “allows for a more holistic approach to improve efficiency and allow all involved to work cohesively towards the same metrics.”

 

 

 

Succeeding Anderson as CFO is Tim Alba, who previously had been vice president and corporate controller.

 

 

 

Founded in 1985 in Plano, Texas, CiCi's has buffet restaurants in 33 states.

 

 

 

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].

 

 

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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