Industry Veteran to Take the Helm of Company Operations
SEATTLE (July 19, 2017) – MOD Super Fast Pizza Holdings, LLC (“MOD Pizza”, “MOD” or the “Company”), today announced the appointment of Paul Twohig to the new role of Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), effective immediately. As MOD’s COO, Twohig will bring a wealth of experience growing global brands as the company continues its rapid expansion in the US and abroad. Twohig, who has served on MOD’s Advisory Board since 2008, brings more than four decades of industry experience having served as President of Dunkin’ Donuts, Senior Vice President at Starbucks and COO and Executive Vice President at Panera Bread. With Twohig’s arrival, Chris Schultz, former Senior Vice President of Operations, will take on the new role of Senior Vice President, International to lead MOD’s development abroad.
Twohig most recently served as President of Dunkin’ Donuts, where he led US and Canadian operations, franchising and store development for more than 8,500 Dunkin’ Donuts locations. During his tenure with Dunkin’, he oversaw the development of over 2,000 new restaurants, launched six new international markets, served as interim President for Europe and Latin America, and was a member of the senior executive team that completed Dunkin’s IPO in 2011.
Prior to Dunkin’, Twohig was Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Panera Bread, and spent a total of 14 years at Starbucks in two separate stints. In his role at Panera, Twohig was responsible for company and franchise operations, overseeing an aggressive store and market expansion strategy. With Starbucks, Twohig served as Vice President and General Manager, UK, leading the company’s expansion into the UK, and then as Senior Vice President, Western Operations, where he oversaw retail operations and restaurant development for more than 1,200 stores in the Western US and Canada. Twohig returned to Starbucks in 2005 as Senior Vice President, Eastern Division, leading over 3,000 cafés in 35 states.
“Ally and I first met Paul in 1998 when Starbucks acquired Seattle Coffee Company, the coffee business we built in the UK. He has been a friend and trusted advisor since then, including helping us as we developed the plan to launch MOD in 2008. Not only will Paul bring world-class experience and expertise to the team as we continue our journey of building the leading fast casual pizza brand in the world, but he will also be a fantastic champion for our culture and mission of using the business as a platform to make a positive social impact,” said Scott Svenson, co-founder and CEO of MOD. “Ally and I could not be happier to welcome Paul onto the MOD team. We are also extremely grateful for the leadership Chris Schultz has provided over the past seven years and are excited about the opportunities he will be pursuing to introduce MOD to markets outside the US.”
Added Twohig, “This is an exciting time to be involved with MOD. I am thrilled to put my energy behind another brand that is not only the leader in its segment, but is wholly committed to building a people-first culture. To be able to work in an industry that I love, and make a positive impact on individual lives and communities is an incredible opportunity for me – and worth delaying retirement for a few more years!”
MOD currently has over 235 locations in 23 states and the UK, with plans for continued rapid growth for the foreseeable future.