Staffing

Pie Five, Pizza Inn parent adds executives to franchise development team

October 6, 2020

Rave Restaurant Group Inc., the Pizza Inn and Pie Five parent, has hired two executives away from Bojangles' to help lead its franchise development efforts. Darren Webb assumes the roles of Rave director of development, supporting both Pizza Inn and Pie Five, while Dion Firooznia joins as a franchise business consultant for Pizza Inn, a news release said.

Before joining RAVE, Webb accrued nearly 15 years of experience in development as director of real estate for Bojangles' Restaurants Inc. He also held positions of real estate manager for Sam's Xpress Car Wash LLC and director of franchise real estate for Take 5 Oil. At RAVE, Webb will be responsible for the national expansion of both Pizza Inn and Pie Five. In addition to franchise sales, he will use his expertise to offer real estate and construction support. Webb will also focus on expanding franchise agreements with existing owners to grow their portfolios with the company.

Firooznia worked at Bojangles' as regional vice president before becoming an operating partner for 14 Qdoba Mexican Eats Restaurants in Charlotte and Raleigh, North Carolina. As franchise business consultant for Pizza Inn, Firooznia will work with franchise owners to execute and improve company initiatives at the local level to create consistency in the guest experience for the brand.

"The addition of these positions is an investment in the future of RAVE, and I'm excited to add dedicated resources for our franchisees," Rave COO Mike Burns said in the release. "Darren and Dion will help continue the momentum that we've built and will really focus on driving development in the Carolinas, which is a key area of expansion for Pizza Inn and where both individuals are based."

Pizza Inn is offering a multi-unit incentive program that delivers incentives in excess of $1 million for new and existing franchisees developing at least five locations. Dallas-based RAVE Restaurant Group has over 230 Pie Five Pizza, Pizza Inn and PIE restaurants globally.