Marco’s Pizza, a 882-unit chain based in Toledo, Ohio, has promoted Tony Libardi from chief operations officer to president, effective the first of the year, the company said Tuesday.
He is replacing Byron Stephens, who recently stepped down.
Prior to joining Marco’s in 2014, Libardi was vice president of U.S. company operations at Burger King, where he worked for 10 years.
In a press release, Marco’s said Libardi would work on streamlining and simplifying internal processes while working on relationship building. His priorities will be employee development, franchisee support, “maximizing technology and maintaining steady and rapid growth.”
Marco’s Pizza is one of the fastest growing chains in the country, having increased its unit count by 15.4 percent, all franchised, in 2016, according to Nation’s Restaurant News Top 100 data.
“Marco’s Pizza is only as successful as the people behind the brand. As I step into this new role, my energies will focus on building future leaders at the corporate and store level to accelerate our success in becoming a premier 1,000-plus unit company,” Libardi said in a press release.
“Our leadership team has built a culture of accountability vital to our growth. As we move forward, we plan to enhance this culture and encourage collaboration, unity, and trust among our franchisees, employees and guests. When everyone grows together, we become an unstoppable force.”
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