October 14, 2026 // Franchising.com // COPPELL, Texas — Cicis Pizza, the original all-you-can-eat pizza buffet known for delivering TBPVA™ (The Best Pizza Value Anywhere), has appointed Kimberly Thompson as Executive Vice President of Development. Bringing over a decade of franchise development leadership experience across some of the restaurant industry's most recognizable brands, Thompson will help identify new opportunities for expansion nationwide.
Thompson joins Cicis following franchise development leadership roles with Bonchon, Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, Jack in the Box, Del Taco and Philly Pretzel Factory. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with single- and multi-unit operators, guiding franchise development strategies, evaluating new markets and helping qualified candidates navigate the franchise ownership process.
“As we look toward the next chapter of Cicis' growth, we're focused on being intentional about where we expand, who we grow with and how we support our franchisees along the way,” said Jeff Hetsel, President of Cicis Pizza. “We see tremendous opportunity to build on the brand's established presence while introducing Cicis to new communities across the country. Kimberly brings the leadership and strategic perspective to help us pursue that vision while maintaining the relationships and support that have been central to Cicis' success.”
In her new role, Thompson will focus on expanding Cicis' franchise development pipeline, identifying qualified operators and supporting strategic growth across priority markets. Working alongside the brand's leadership, operations and real estate teams, she will help prospective franchisees evaluate development opportunities while leveraging Cicis' established training, site selection and supply chain resources.
“When you look at Cicis, you have a brand that families have known and loved for decades, a value proposition that resonates with today's consumers and a business model that gives operators multiple ways to serve their communities,” said Thompson. “What excites me most is the opportunity ahead. We have an established foundation, strong franchisee support and strong potential to introduce Cicis to new markets. Our goal is to double the brand's footprint over the next five years, and I'm looking forward to connecting with ambitious operators who want to be part of that growth.”
The appointment comes as Cicis continues investing in restaurant operations, technology and guest engagement. The brand offers multiple revenue opportunities through its signature all-you-can-eat buffet, carryout, catering, delivery and arcade game rooms, supported by national marketing resources, franchisee training, real estate expertise and its distribution partner, JMC Restaurant Distribution.
With nearly 300 restaurants across more than 23 states, Cicis is pursuing new development opportunities in Texas, the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
For more information about franchise opportunities with Cicis Pizza, visit https://www.cicis.com/franchising.
Founded in 1985 in Coppell, Texas, Cicis Pizza is the original all-you-can-eat pizza buffet, known for delivering TBPVA™ (The Best Pizza Value Anywhere). With nearly 300 restaurants across more than 23 states, Cicis offers a wide variety of pizzas, pasta, salad, and desserts, pairing nostalgic favorites and craveable limited-time offerings with game rooms that create a family-friendly “eatertainment” experience.
The brand continues to evolve through innovation and guest-focused experiences. Cicis Rewards™ currently ranks among the Top 100 downloaded Food & Drink apps and won Best Loyalty App at the 2026 Franchise Innovation Awards. Cicis was also ranked No. 19 on QSR Magazine’s 2026 Top 50 Contenders list, named the #1 brand on Pizza Marketplace’s 2026 Top 100 Movers & Shakers list and received the Visionary in Technology Award in 2025.
For more information about Cicis, visit cicis.com. For more information about franchise opportunities with Cicis visit https://www.cicis.com/franchising.
SOURCE Cicis® Pizza
Cicis is an iconic, modernized restaurant that pushes the limits of the regular family dining experience. With unlimited opportunities for revenue, multiple restaurant designs and off premise-options, Cicis is constantly evolving with the industry.