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Rita's Italian Ice appoints Straw Hat Pizza leader as CEO

December 15, 2011

Rita's Franchise Company, concept owner of Rita's Italian Ice, has announced the appointment of Jonathan Fornaci as president and CEO, effective immediately.

Fornaci brings more than 20 years of operational, retail, franchise chain and brand experience to his new role. Most recently, he served as president of Straw Hat Pizza, a California-based franchise company, where he drove revenue growth through the expansion of the 53-year-old concept beyond California for the first time in its history. He also oversaw the development of an enhanced menu and an extensive effort to upgrade restaurant decor.

After starting his career with Accenture, Fornaci served as chief technology and information officer for GE Capital/Genstar, where he managed technology for 10 GE Capital divisions. He served as chief technology officer and CEO of IBIS Consulting Inc., which was sold to Proxicom.

Fornaci was also chief operating officer for Provato, an enterprise software development company. He is the founder of IMG Universal, a real estate development, retail and mortgage broker company headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., and co-founder of Atomic Tangerine, a global security company.

He is also the proprietor of two restaurants, including the acclaimed Restaurante Vida in Lima, Peru. A graduate of University of California at Berkeley, Fornaci currently serves on the board of directors for Meals on Wheels, San Francisco.

"We are energized and excited to have someone with Jonathan's experience take the lead of this brand, and we look forward to watching his vision for this promising system come to fruition," said Thomas Christopoul, executive chairman of the board of Rita's.

Rita's was sold to private equity firm Falconhead Capital LLC earlier this month.

The Italian Ice concept, headquartered in Trevose, Pa., includes more than 550 locations in 18 states.

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