Fast-casual pizza chain continues to strengthen executive team with 20-year industry veteran’s appointment
Blaze Pizza named Chris Demery its new chief technology officer. He joins the Blaze executive leadership team after serving as senior vice president for P.F. Chang’s and roadmapping its Chang’s Go off-premise concept stores. Demery’s two decades of food industry experience, with a specialization in technology and consumer platforms, will help him hit the ground running at Blaze.
Prior to P.F. Chang’s, Demery worked for six years at Bloomin’ Brands, overseeing customer-facing technology. There, he led mission-critical initiatives, including the launch of the Outback app. Before his tenure at Bloomin’ Brands, Demery served as vice president of enterprise applications at Domino’s Pizza.
“Chris brings such a unique perspective with his deep knowledge of digital, pizza and also operational off-premise expertise and he will be invaluable in contributing to the immense growth planned for Blaze,” said Mandy Shaw, chief executive officer and president of Blaze Pizza. “I couldn’t be more thrilled for him to join the team.”
Demery’s charged with developing and executing strategy for ongoing innovation at the Pasadena, Calif.-based pizza chain.
Blaze has been bolstering its executive team with seasoned talent, according to an announcement. Demery’s appointment follows the recruitment of Marie Zhang as chief supply chain officer; Rick Gestring as chief restaurant officer; Vince Szwajkowski as chief marketing officer; and Ed Yancey as vice president of franchise development.
In 2020, Blaze Pizza continued its methodical growth by opening 24 new stores. Demery comes to the fast-casual chain at a pivotal moment. The pizza chain operates and franchises more than 340 restaurants globally.
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