IRVING, Texas — Toni Bianco has joined Cicis pizza buffet restaurant as its new chief operating officer. In this role, he will lead day-to-day operations and oversee all training for Cicis’ more than 430 corporate-owned and franchised restaurants.

Bianco was most recently president and COO of Fatburger North America, a role he assumed in February. Before that, he was COO and senior vice president of international business and IT at Long John Silver’s LLC. Previously, Bianco spent 13 years at Papa John’s International, where he held various leadership positions, including vice president of Asia, senior director of global R&D and director of operations for Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Earlier in his career, Bianco was director of operations at Aramark, managing director at De Heuvel Wine and Olive Estate and the owner and chef of Prima Foods catering.

“Toni brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Cicis and will provide the leadership and vision necessary to meet our operational goals,” said William M. Mitchell, CEO of Cicis. “He will be an integral part of Cicis’ future as we continue to transform our business through innovative systems and efficiencies that drive sustainable growth.”

Bianco succeeds Jini Foust, who stepped down from the position in April. Foust was with Cicis since January 2017.