CiCi's Pizza Announces Hiring of New Director of Real Estate Services and Support

COPPELL, Texas, Dec. 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- CiCi's Pizza, home of the $4.99 endless pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet, announces today the addition of Deb Chappell as Director of Real Estate Services and Support.

A 25-year veteran, Chappell led expansion efforts for big names like Chili's Grill & Bar, Romano's Macaroni Grill and BJ's Restaurants. At CiCi's Pizza, Chappell is tasked with building on CiCi's diversity in franchising and continued growth. The Texas-based company plans to add 500 units in the next eight to 10 years and is actively recruiting franchise partners.

Chappell brings decades of experience in helping brands expand through market development and analysis and real-estate development. She'll begin outreach to potential multi-unit franchisees and developers immediately. Chappell has also worked extensively in non-traditional development and will be a key resource as CiCi's expands in non-traditional locations, like airports, college campuses and military bases.

"CiCi's has an attractive concept that consistently caters to its guests. It's a household name that thrives in all types of locations," Chappell said. "My job is to use thorough analysis to ensure locations are ideally positioned for strong success."

Before joining the CiCi's team, Chappell led expansion efforts in the Eastern, Midwestern and Central regions as Director of Real Estate for BJ's Restaurants, where she developed and directed strategic and five-year growth plans for all concepts. While at Brinker International, Chappell led a team to oversee all aspects of the real estate development process, including strategic market analysis, site procurement and provided guidance on contract negotiations, leases and more. Immediately before coming on board with CiCi's, Chappell owned the consulting firm DC Interests.

"Deb's experience and the relationships she's forged with multi-unit franchisees and developers across the country are powerful assets to the CiCi's brand," said CiCi's Pizza CEO Mike Shumsky. "She is key to executing our strategic growth plan."

About CiCi's Pizza

CiCi's Pizza, started in Plano, Texas in 1985, is as a family-oriented restaurant with a fresh, hot pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet featuring up to 20 varieties of pizza made with fresh ingredients for $4.99. CiCi's has been recognized has a top franchise business, ranking No. 1 in the pizza category for the past three years by Nation's Restaurant News and named to QSR Magazine's 2010 list of the top 50 quick-service restaurant concepts. CiCi's has also been recognized by USA Today, Restaurants & Institutions, Entrepreneur, the Wall Street Journal, Franchise Today and Parents. CiCi's has more than 600 restaurants in 35 states and the recent One Brand Tour, led by CEO Mike Shumsky, ensures each and every franchisee upholds the highest brand standards. CiCi's corporate support center is lead by a strong team of experts with more than 150 years of combined experience in franchising, business, operations, human resources, growth strategy, advertising, marketing and public relations.

For more information about CiCi's, visit www.cicispizza.com or www.facebook.com/cicis. For information on CiCi's franchise opportunities contact Jim Sheahan at [email protected] or 972.745.9318.

SOURCE CiCi's Pizza