CiCi's Pizza Poised for Continued Growth

COPPELL, Texas, Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CiCi's Pizza, home of the endless pizza buffet, announces the next step in its "Build the Brand" growth strategy with the addition of two industry veterans who will drive the company's increased focus on profitable innovation. In 2010, the company began implementing a growth strategy designed to add another 500 restaurants over the next 10 years.

Clif Geisler, who brings purchasing and supply chain expertise from Brinker International and Sonic, takes the post of CiCi's first-ever Director of Operational Systems. He will spearhead initiatives to improve kitchen efficiencies and increase dining space in an effort to lower franchise investment costs, reduce waste and increase ROI. Geisler is already leading company-wide equipment testing, like pursuing induction heating to improve the quality and consistency of CiCi's soup, pastas and sauces.

Rebecca Stone, Senior Director of Food and Beverage, who has research and development experience with major brands like Pizza Hut, Little Caesar's, Domino's Pizza, Romano's Macaroni Grill and Burger King, will lead and improve CiCi's R&D process. Through her expertise, the company has already launched a comprehensive new product testing initiative designed to incorporate guest and franchisee feedback early in the product development process. Ongoing new product testing, coupled with strides to bring down food costs will enable CiCi's to elevate its variety of offerings while still providing guests the high value and delicious taste they have come to expect from the pizza leader.

Recent product innovations include CiCi's American Classics line, which showcases the unique flavor traditions of the USA. As part of the American Classics line, CiCi's also announced the Cheeseburger Pizza and the Philly Cheesesteak Pizza. The company has plans to announce additional new products this year.

"Our growth initiative is well underway with 25 restaurant openings planned this year, the hiring of our two new industry veterans, increased restaurant efficiencies for franchisees and especially new product rollouts for our guests," said Mike Shumsky, CiCi's Pizza CEO. "We know our guests continue to consider all dining decisions carefully, and we're committed to innovate as we grow to ensure each dining experience at CiCi's is better than the last."

For more information about franchise partnerships with CiCi's Pizza, contact Bruce Evans at [email protected] or 972-745-4318.

About CiCi's Pizza

Coppell, Texas-based CiCi's Pizza opened its first restaurant in Plano, Texas in 1985, and is now one of the nation's fastest growing pizza chains. The family-oriented restaurant is known for its popular pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet featuring up to 20 varieties of pizza and fresh ingredients for about $5. The expanding company has 600 restaurants in 35 states and in 2010, it announced plans to add another 500 restaurants in the next 10 years. In 2011, Zagat recognized CiCi's among its list of most child-friendly fast-food chains and the same year, CiCi's was named No. 1 in its category in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list. In 2010, CiCi's was named to Inc. Magazine's top 5,000 list, and to Parents' list of top family-friendly restaurants. Its commitment to value has been recognized by USA Today, Restaurants & Institutions and Nation's Restaurant News, which ranked CiCi's No. 1 in sales and unit growth among pizza chains for the past four years. CiCi's has also been named one of the top 25 performing brands by The Wall Street Journal and a top 200 franchise concept by Franchise Today.

For more information about CiCi's, visit www.cicispizza.com or www.facebook.com/cicis.

For franchising information, contact Bruce Evans at [email protected] or 972-745-4318.

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SOURCE CiCi's Pizza