Just after the close of a brutal week on the stock market for Pizza Inn and Pie Five parent, Rave Restaurant Group, the company said late Friday its President Bob Bafundo was leaving that role and a new COO and vice president of marketing had been hired. The company said in a news release that the changes "reflect a shift from brand-level leadership to a more unified management structure for all Rave brands."

The company said former Pei Wei Asian Kitchen and Bojangles executive Mike Burns has joined Rave as COO, to lead operations for both Pizza Inn and Pie Five Pizza and Operations Services for all brands. He brings more than 10 years experience in company and franchise operations, including most recently at Pei Wei where he directed operations for more than 80 restaurants. Burns previously was director of operations support and regional vice president at Bojangles'.

"Mike is a true operator and understands the importance of driving unit economics and profitable traffic," Rave CEO Brandon Solano said in the release. "He will roll-up his sleeves and partner with our franchisees to improve bottom line results."

Joining the company as vice president of Marketing is Douglas Kwong, also most recently at Pei Wei Asian Kitchen, where he managed eCommerce, media and the brand's loyalty program. 

"Douglas is a well-rounded marketer with strong experience in the digital arena.  His work at Pei Wei resulted in social media engagement rates 10,000% greater than the industry average," Solano said. He previously ran digital marketing for Cici's Pizza and is precisely what we need to modernize our marketing."

The release said that Bafundo was leaving his role as president, though no other information was provided about whether he was staying with the company or moving on. The brand also hired  Justin Smith as senior director of Operations for Pizza Inn and Aaron Archuleta as director of operations for Pie Five. 

"Our new team brings a fresh perspective and modern approach to leadership at Rave," said Solano. "I'm looking forward to working with this talented team to transform the business, drive profit and win with consumers."

The Dallas-based company has 261 Pie Five Pizza Co. and Pizza Inn restaurants and Pizza Inn Express kiosks domestically and internationally.

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