Dive Brief:
- Mod Pizza appointed Beth Scott, previously chief restaurant officer at Cooper’s Hawk, as its CEO, succeeding Scott Svenson, the company said in a press release Monday. Scott also assumes a board seat.
- Svenson, who co-founded Mod with his wife Ally and led the company for 15 years, will assume the role of executive chairperson, providing support to Scott and the leadership team.
- Scott has over 20 years of experience in hospitality and joins the brand as it experiments with new menu items and alters its rewards program to drive more frequency.
Dive Insight:
Scott’s experience includes improving customer service and driving growth at restaurant and hospitality brands. During the nearly two years she spent at Cooper’s Hawk, she oversaw operations and development teams. Prior to that role, she was president of Fleming’s for four years.
In the hospitality segment, she served as VP of global food and beverage at Disney Parks & Resorts, and vice president of food and beverage strategy and innovation at Hilton.
Svenson had long planned to replace himself, he said in the press release.
“When Ally and I founded MOD, we knew we would eventually transition out of the daily operations of the business to focus on those things we are most passionate about – our purpose of serving people, time in stores with the Squad and the future of MOD,” Svenson said.
The company has continued its focus on growth, and reported over 540 units at the start of 2024 after reaching over 520 locations in 2022. Two years ago, Mod brought on Stephen Blum as its first chief development officer and promoted Becky Mulligan to the newly created position of chief restaurant officer.
Mod has also been trialing menu items outside of its traditional pizza and salads. Last year, it tested wings in select locations and brought Pocket Pies to its permanent menu. The company updated its rewards program with a lower tier (50 points from 150 points), allowing for customers to redeem rewards more quickly.
