• September 15, 2010

CiCi's Pizza has announced that it will add 500 U.S. restaurant locations within the next five to six years.

To drive the expansion strategy, the chain -- known for its $4.99, fresh-ingredients "endless" pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet -- recently hired Nancy Hampton as CMO and Bill Spae as chief development officer. Hampton's background includes executive positions at Chili's Bar & Grill and Corner Bakery Café. Spae's background includes 30 years of experience as a restaurant president, CEO, investor and franchisee.

Headquartered in Coppell, Tex., CiCi's currently has more than 600 units in 35 states. Nation's Restaurant News has ranked the chain the #1 franchise business in the pizza category for the past three years.