CiCi's Pizza New CEO Michael Shumsky Announces Restructuring Plan
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CiCi's Pizza New CEO Michael Shumsky Announces Restructuring Plan

The pizza chain's new organizational re-alignments are designed to better support franchisees and provide an industry-leading experience for guests.

January 08, 2010 // Franchising.com // (COPPELL ,TEXAS) - Michael R. Shumsky, recently appointed CEO of CiCi's Pizza, today announced a restructuring plan to better position the company for growth and success in 2010 and beyond. The restructuring has resulted in new organizational re-alignments 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, a veteran senior executive with posts at La Madeleine, Johnny Rockets, Sonic and Taco Bell, joined the CiCi's team in October. Since then, he has spent time working in all CiCi's Pizza restaurant positions and initiated a nationwide franchisee listening tour -- meeting directly with nearly 80% of all franchisees. Shumsky then worked with his senior management team to set five strategic priorities to lead the company forward as an industry value leader and innovator with a best in class business structure.

"In the last few months, I have had a chance to live every element of the CiCi's Pizza brand," said Michael Shumsky, CEO, CiCi's Pizza. "Today, we are launching our vision to maintain the best of our well-known CiCi's culture, to simplify and redesign the organization and processes to serve our franchisees and optimize the guest experience. Combined, these efforts will position the company for success in 2010 and beyond."

Moving forward, CiCi's will be grouped into four key departments: Brand Excellence, Franchise Services, Brand Value and Franchise Development Services. The Operations group has been expanded to become the Brand Excellence group. This team will be focused on making sure that the company and its franchisees are successfully executing on CiCi's promise to do whatever it takes to not just meet, but to consistently exceed guest expectations. To that end, Regional Operation Managers will now have an expanded role as Brand Excellence Managers to ensure operations excellence and serve as business advisors supporting Franchisees. Previously VP of Operations, Kyle Smith has been named the VP of Brand Excellence.

The Training department will now transition into the newly formed Franchise Services group. Their initial efforts will include: launching a new training program that will include lifetime learning programs; implementing new streamlined franchisee communication tools; the creation of more robust franchisee listening programs. The existing Customer Support team will report into the Franchise Services group. Steve Hawter, who held the previous title VP of Training, has been named VP of Franchise Services.

The Brand Value group will lead the charge to establish CiCi's as the industry value leader. This group will be focusing on the marketing strategy and tactics needed for building the CiCi's brand and ensuring that all guest touch points support the brand promise. Tom Koenigsberg, previously Chief Marketing Officer, will head the Brand Value group as its Chief Brand Value Officer.

Headed by Forbes Anderson, who has been promoted to Chief Strategic Officer, the company has formed the Franchise Development group, which will consist of the Real Estate, Franchising, and Construction teams. Anderson's focus will be on strategic and long-term growth for the company. Andersonjoined CiCi Enterprises, LP in 1996 and was previously Chief Financial Officer for the chain. "Combining these departments under Forbes' leadership allows for a more holistic approach to improve efficiency and allow all involved to work cohesively towards the same metrics," said Michael Shumsky, CEO, CiCi's Pizza.

To fill Anderson's position, Tim Alba has been promoted to CiCi's Pizza Chief Financial Officer. Alba joined CiCi Enterprises, LP in January 1998 and previously served as Vice President/Corporate Controller for the accounting, financial and administrative aspects of the pizza chain.

Implementation of these re-alignments is effective immediately, with all CiCi's team members in every area of the company starting out 2010 with a laser focus on efficiently and effectively delivering unparalleled value, quality and variety to CiCi's guests.

Added Shumsky, "As we start this New Year, our whole team is excited to be working together to make it a Great Day at CiCi's."

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