Dive Brief:
- Marco’s Pizza has hired Bill Schaffler as chief financial officer and Steve Kennedy as chief marketing officer, the company said in a Wednesday press release. Schaffler succeeds Jeff Rager, who is retiring at the end of this year.
- Both executives have over two decades of experience in their respective fields of restaurant finance and marketing, and will help Marco’s maintain its strategy of “disciplined financial leadership and innovative, insight-driven marketing as it continues to grow across the U.S. and internationally,” the press release said.
- These executives will also help support the chain’s aggressive growth plan. The pizza chain opened 41 restaurants during the first half of 2025. In August, the chain said it was on track to have a 28% year-over-year increase in new store openings.
Dive Insight:
Schaffler’s experience in multi-unit expansion, enterprise-level financial performance and private equity environments will be instrumental in helping the chain maintain its growth trajectory. In his most recent post as CFO at Hopdoddy Burger Bar, he led financial strategy and technology modernization, per the press release.
Prior to Hopdoddy, Schaffler led a brand and operational transformation as president and CEO at Ascension Coffee Company. He also drove “systemwide efficiencies and growth” in CFO positions at Nothing Bundt Cakes and La Madeleine. Schaffler served as a co-founding partner and president at Black Box Intelligence early in his career.
Meanwhile, Kennedy, who most recently served as EVP and head of marketing at Noodles & Company, has experience in marketing, digital transformation and consumer strategy, according to the press release.
While at Noodles & Company, he “spearheaded brand strategy, digital modernization, and enhanced guest engagement,” the press release said. His career includes leadership positions in marketing and digital strategy at brands like Nestle USA and Domino’s. Kennedy succeeds Denise Lauer, who left for Portillo’s in September.
“My goal is to accelerate Marco's growth by amplifying what makes us special — our quality, our people, our franchisees, and our authentic love for pizza — through bold, data-driven marketing that builds brand relevance, deepens guest connection and fuels unstoppable demand,” Kennedy said.
