Leadership

MOD Pizza adds president to its COO’s title

The fast-casual pizza chain has ambitious growth plans.
mod pizza
Photograph courtesy of Mod Pizza

MOD Pizza added the title of president to its COO’s duties, the fast-casual pizza chain announced this week.

John Maguire, who joined the 470-unit chain in 2018, becomes president after the retirement of Paul Twohig.

Maguire previously worked as president and CEO of the parent company of Friendly’s restaurants, president and CEO of Johnny Rockets Group, and EVP and COO of Panera Bread.

“John has made an incredible impact since joining MOD, helping to strengthen day-to-day operations across the system, as well as shape the path for our next phase of growth,” Scott Svenson, MOD co-founder and CEO, said in a statement. “One of John’s best qualities is that he is a people person first, and carries the MOD culture of servant leadership through everything he touches. We feel very lucky to have him as part of the team as we embark on an ambitious path for the future.”

Last May, Seattle-based MOD announced that it had raised another $160 million, bringing the company’s total fundraising to $339 million. The chain, which was founded in 2008, said it planned to grow to 1,000 units over the next five years.

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Emerging Brands

5 pre-emerging restaurant brands ready for takeoff

These small concepts are still proving out their ideas, but each shows promise as a potential candidate for the next generation of emerging chains.

Technology

This little-known iPhone feature could change restaurant ordering

Tech Check: Almost every customer has a POS in their pocket. Can mini mobile apps get them to actually use it?

Financing

Red Lobster gives private equity another black eye

The Bottom Line: The role a giant sale-leaseback had in the bankruptcy filing of the seafood chain has drawn more criticism of the investment firms' financial engineering. The criticism is well-earned.

Trending

More from our partners