• by Teresa Buyikian , Yesterday

Portillo’s, Chicago’s one-of-a-kind restaurant concept known for its local favorites, has tapped Denise Lauer as CMO, beginning Sept. 22.

Lauer fills the spot left vacant late last year by Nick Scarpino, who left to become CEO at the Giordano’s pizza chain.

Lauer joins the 95-unit Portillo’s from Marco’s Pizza, where as CMO she led the marketing team since 2023, overseeing brand, media, digital, field marketing, customer experience and product and channel innovation for the 1200 store pizza chain.

"Denise brings an exceptional combination of strategic vision and hands-on execution…” says Michael Osanloo, Portillo’s president and CEO. “[Her] proven track record of revitalizing customer experiences, growing sales and transactions, and building high-performing marketing teams will be instrumental as we continue to expand Portillo's … across the country.”

Prior to Marco’s, Lauer was at Morton Salt for almost 10 years, rising from director of communications to serve as CMO for over four years. She also spent time as CMO for Informed Insurance and held various leadership roles at PepsiCo's Quaker Foods and Snacks division and at FedEx.

Portillo’s got its start as a hot dog trailer outside Chicago, and now boasts locations across 10 states serving Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, burgers, salads and desserts. The brand recently reported Q2 2025 total revenue was $188.5 million, up 3.6% or $6.6 million from Q2 2024. Same store restaurant sales increased 0.7% over the same period.