Cicis, a leading family-friendly pizza buffet restaurant company known for its unlimited pizza, pasta, salad, soup, and dessert offerings, named brand marketing veteran Billie Jo Waara to the position of chief marketing officer.

Waara most recently served as CMO at Cheyenne, Wyoming-based Taco John’s, leading the chain’s 400 restaurants through a comprehensive brand transformation that included large-scale digital initiatives and culinary innovation. She joins Cicis as it continues a successful brand renaissance set into motion four years ago by CEO Darin Harris.

“Turning a brand around and getting it going in the right direction is only half the battle—you have to keep that momentum going with strong leadership,” says Harris. “Billie Jo has an outstanding track record of working with transforming brands and we are confident in her ability to keep the Cicis success story moving forward.”

Cicis has experienced an industry trend-busting 16 quarters of same store sales growth as it has rebranded, improved food quality and guest satisfaction, updated restaurants, increased brand perception and introduced innovative menu items. At the same time, it has signed multiple new development agreements with franchise partners representing more than 70 new restaurant commitments in 12 states.

“Cicis is alive and relevant again, and it’s a dynamic time to join the company,” says Waara, who relocated to the Dallas area this month. “I am becoming part of an incredible team and look forward to working with them to build upon their success and continue growing our brand.”