This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Marco’s Pizza has hired Bill Schaffler as chief financial officer and Steve Kennedy as chief marketing officer, the company said in a Wednesday press release. Schaffler succeeds Jeff Rager, who is retiring at the end of this year. Both executives have over two decades of experience in their respective fields of restaurant finance and marketing, ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - System-wide sales decreased by 3.3% to $181.9 million compared to the previous year [19] - Total revenue for the quarter was $87.8 million, a 4.1% decrease from $91.6 million in the prior year [20] - Net loss for the quarter was $20.8 million, compared to a loss of $10.7 million in the previous year [26] - Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $5.2 million from $7 million in the prior year [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Twin Peaks revenue increased by 5.8% to $51.1 million, driven by new lodge openings, despite a decline in same-store sales [20] - Smoky Bones revenue decreased by 15.2% to $36.7 million due to strategic conversions and temporary closures [21] - Restaurant level contribution margin for Twin Peaks decreased to 17.7% from 18% in the prior year [25] - Smoky Bones restaurant level contribution margin decreased to 4.9% from 9% in the prior year [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The second quarter experienced softer sales and traffic due to less favorable sports calendaring, impacting engagement [20] - The absence of key market teams in the NBA and NHL playoffs contributed to lower sales [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on operational excellence, reducing complexity, and enhancing guest experience [7][8] - A streamlined menu is being tested to improve execution and speed of service [10] - The company plans to accelerate growth with a robust pipeline of 100 committed lodges, with 75% from existing franchise partners [14] - The strategy includes positioning Twin Peaks as a premier destination for sports events and enhancing community engagement [15][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the brand's strength and the potential for growth despite current challenges [17] - The company anticipates stronger revenue gains in the second half of the year due to an improved sports calendar [14][16] - Management is committed to protecting the brand's core values while exploring new opportunities for innovation [17] Other Important Information - The US Department of Justice dropped all charges against FAT Brands, the parent company, which is seen as a positive development [18] - Twin Peaks ranked 97th on the 2025 Technomic Top 500 list of the largest restaurant chains in the US [29] - The company raised over $100,000 for Texas flood relief efforts, highlighting its commitment to community support [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for Smoky Bones over the next six months? - Management indicated there will be moderate changes, with minimal adjustments expected until performance assessments are completed [35][36] Question: What is the increase in General and Administrative (G&A) expenses attributed to? - The increase in G&A expenses was primarily due to equity grants following the public listing, which is expected to decrease significantly going forward [41][42] Question: Is there room for improvement in store-level margins? - Management expressed confidence in finding improvements in sales and bottom-line performance as the sports calendar improves [43][44]