Fast-growing Franchise Chain Expands C-Suite with In-house Elevation of Marketing V.P.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading California-based family-style pizza chain for more than 45 years, known for its legendary crispy, curly pepperonis, Mountain-sized pizzas, dough made fresh daily, and toppings to the edge, has proudly named longtime foodservice marketing executive and experienced restaurant-industry leader Carol DeNembo as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Since being hired by Mountain Mike’s Pizza in 2018 as Vice President of Marketing, brand visibility and awareness have skyrocketed – with Mountain Mike’s fueling America’s love for pizza and the band’s signature dining experience, including “Pizza the Way it Oughta Be®, playing a central role.
“Since her arrival, Carol has been an invaluable asset and an absolute marketing powerhouse for Mountain Mike’s Pizza, always uncovering creative, innovative and effective ways to interact with our guests and propel the brand as we enter new markets across the country,” said Jim Metevier, Chief Executive Officer of Mountain Mike’s Pizza. “Carol’s exemplary leadership of our marketing initiatives has been paramount to the significant sales and franchise growth we’ve experienced in the last half-decade, and her custodianship of our brand has truly been best in class.”
DeNembo’s tireless and strategic approach to brand marketing has continued to keep Mountain Mike’s engaged with longtime customers and new guests. She has made many notable contributions to brand growth, especially across the professional sports landscape where Mountain Mike’s stays top-of-mind with pizza-loving fans who passionately cheer for their teams. In 2018, DeNembo was instrumental in securing and successfully activating the brand’s professional sports partnership with football’s San Francisco 49ers, which continues today. That was followed in 2022 by a multiyear agreement with the Los Angeles Angels baseball club. The next year, DeNembo led Mountain Mike’s into its third professional sports partnership as the brand became an Official Pizza Partner of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
Overseeing a team of talented digital strategists, DeNembo’s sports integration activities included loyalty-building app trigger campaigns for all three teams last year, producing increases in transacting members for the 49ers and Kings promotions, plus loyalty transaction growth in the Angels’ territory. Under DeNembo’s thoughtful stewardship, each partnership continues to serve as an effective way to deepen the brand’s relationship with the communities it serves and reinforces Mountain Mike’s 45-year+ commitment to families, sports fans and communities throughout California and the Western U.S.
“Growing our brand through high-visibility sports activations is one of many powerful arrows in Carol’s impressive marketing quiver, and we are constant admirers of her tremendous work,” said Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme, Principal Owners of Mountain Mike’s Pizza. “Carol’s elevation to Chief Marketing Officer is a testament to her hard work and consummate dedication to the Mountain Mike’s brand and family, and we have the utmost confidence she will continue to propel the brand forward – and upward to summit the highest peaks.”
Complementing the brand’s trio of successful sports integrations, DeNembo has been highly adept at leveraging Mountain Mike’s longstanding reputation for excellence in menu innovation. She continues to ensure the brand stays on the vanguard of industry trends and remains committed to finding new and effective ways for guests to connect over great pizza. In 2023, DeNembo led comprehensive marketing efforts to support an array of successful limited-time menu offerings, including Heart-Shaped Pizza, Garlic Not-Knots, the BBQ at the Ranch Pizza and Cinnamon Not-Knots. Heart-Shaped Pizza, offered annually in February, continues to be a fan-favorite menu item that creates significant buzz with consumers – and strengthens unit economics. DeNembo’s firm grasp of industry trends, coupled with her ability to harness the immense power of product marketing, continues to help Mountain Mike’s surprise and delight new and longtime guests with creative limited-time offerings, resulting in impressive sales growth.
“I’m honored to operate as this brand’s CMO, and it’s deeply rewarding to be part of the Mountain Mike’s Pizza team, especially as we experience ongoing national expansion, growing guest loyalty, significant interest from new franchisees and a mounting list of impressive industry accolades,” said DeNembo. “It’s been a privilege to work in lockstep with leadership to help position the brand on a national stage and lead a passionate marketing team that loves to think outside the pizza box to find creative ways to foster deeper engagement with our valued guests.”
With nearly 300 units in operation across seven states, Mountain Mike’s is primed to continue expansion throughout the U.S. by extending opportunities to new franchise partners looking to diversify their portfolios with a popular family pizza concept. To learn more about new franchise opportunities in your market of interest, visit MountainMikesFranchise.com.
Since 1978, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading family-style pizza chain known for its legendary crispy, curly pepperonis, Mountain-sized pizzas, and dough made fresh daily has been a popular choice for families, serving “Pizza the Way it Oughta Be!” In addition to offering carryout, its own in-house delivery, and four third-party delivery options, Mountain Mike’s provides a family-friendly dine-in environment making it easy for guests to enjoy the brand’s signature experience wherever they are. Most of its nearly 300 locations feature a kids’ activity area with arcade games, dedicated party rooms and big screen TVs throughout, making Mountain Mike’s an ideal place for sports teams, family gatherings, group fundraising events and private parties alike. With a menu of signature pizzas, chicken wings, garlic knots, fresh salads, sharable desserts, and a selection of beer and wine, there’s something for everyone at Mountain Mike’s. Guests may also take advantage of streamlined ordering via the Mountain Rewards app to earn exclusive offers and personalized rewards towards free food. This year, Mountain Mike’s was named one of America’s Favorite Restaurant Chains by Newsweek, as well as one of the Top Beloved Brands by Nation’s Restaurant News. The brand also received FRANdata’s prestigious 2024 TopScore FUND Award. For a complete list of locations and the full menu, visit MountainMikesPizza.com or follow Mountain Mike’s on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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