Portillo's Appoints Denise Lauer as Chief Marketing Officer
Portillo's (NASDAQ: PTLO), the Chicago-style restaurant chain, has appointed Denise Lauer as Chief Marketing Officer, effective September 22, 2025. Lauer joins from Marco's Pizza, where she served as CMO and led significant growth initiatives for the 1,200-location pizza chain.
With over 20 years of experience in food service and CPG marketing, Lauer's achievements at Marco's Pizza included developing a multi-year innovation pipeline, creating a successful value platform, and driving digital transformation. Her previous roles include CMO positions at Informed Insurance and Morton Salt, along with leadership positions at PepsiCo's Quaker Foods and FedEx.
Portillo's (NASDAQ: PTLO), la catena di ristoranti in stile Chicago, ha nominato Denise Lauer Chief Marketing Officer, con effetto dal 22 settembre 2025. Lauer arriva da Marco's Pizza, dove ricopriva il ruolo di CMO e ha guidato importanti iniziative di crescita per la catena da 1.200 punti vendita.
Con oltre 20 anni di esperienza nel marketing per il settore foodservice e i beni di consumo, i risultati di Lauer a Marco's Pizza includono lo sviluppo di un piano di innovazione pluriennale, la creazione di una solida piattaforma di valore e la spinta alla trasformazione digitale. In precedenza ha ricoperto incarichi da CMO presso Informed Insurance e Morton Salt e ruoli di leadership in Quaker Foods di PepsiCo e in FedEx.
Portillo's (NASDAQ: PTLO), la cadena de restaurantes al estilo de Chicago, ha nombrado a Denise Lauer como Chief Marketing Officer, con efecto a partir del 22 de septiembre de 2025. Lauer procede de Marco's Pizza, donde se desempeñó como CMO y lideró importantes iniciativas de crecimiento para la cadena de 1.200 locales.
Con más de 20 años de experiencia en marketing para el sector de alimentos y bienes de consumo, los logros de Lauer en Marco's Pizza incluyen el desarrollo de una hoja de ruta de innovación plurianual, la creación de una plataforma de valor exitosa y la promoción de la transformación digital. Anteriormente ocupó cargos de CMO en Informed Insurance y Morton Salt, además de puestos directivos en Quaker Foods de PepsiCo y en FedEx.
Portillo's (NASDAQ: PTLO)는 시카고 스타일 레스토랑 체인으로, Denise Lauer를 최고마케팅책임자(CMO)로 2025년 9월 22일부로 임명했다고 발표했습니다. Lauer는 1,200개 매장을 보유한 Marco's Pizza에서 CMO로 재직하며 성장을 이끄는 주요 이니셔티브를 주도해 왔습니다.
푸드서비스 및 소비재 마케팅 분야에서 20년 이상의 경력을 보유한 Lauer는 Marco's Pizza에서 다년간의 혁신 파이프라인을 개발하고, 성공적인 가치(밸류) 플랫폼을 구축했으며, 디지털 전환을 추진한 성과를 냈습니다. 이전에는 Informed Insurance와 Morton Salt에서 CMO를 역임했고, PepsiCo의 Quaker Foods와 FedEx에서 리더십 역할을 수행했습니다.
Portillo's (NASDAQ: PTLO), la chaîne de restaurants de style Chicago, a nommé Denise Lauer Chief Marketing Officer, à compter du 22 septembre 2025. Lauer rejoint l'entreprise depuis Marco's Pizza, où elle occupait le poste de CMO et a dirigé d'importantes initiatives de croissance pour la chaîne de 1 200 établissements.
Forte de plus de 20 ans d'expérience dans le marketing des services alimentaires et des biens de consommation, les réalisations de Lauer chez Marco's Pizza incluent l'élaboration d'un pipeline d'innovation pluriannuel, la création d'une plateforme de valeur performante et la promotion de la transformation digitale. Elle a précédemment été CMO chez Informed Insurance et Morton Salt, et a occupé des fonctions de direction chez Quaker Foods (PepsiCo) et FedEx.
Portillo's (NASDAQ: PTLO), die Restaurantkette im Chicago-Stil, hat Denise Lauer zur Chief Marketing Officer ernannt, wirksam ab dem 22. September 2025. Lauer kommt von Marco's Pizza, wo sie als CMO tätig war und bedeutende Wachstumsinitiativen für die 1.200 Standorte umfassende Kette leitete.
Mit mehr als 20 Jahren Erfahrung im Marketing für den Foodservice- und CPG-Bereich zählen zu Lauers Erfolgen bei Marco's Pizza die Entwicklung einer mehrjährigen Innovationspipeline, die Schaffung einer erfolgreichen Wertplattform und die Vorantreibung der digitalen Transformation. Zuvor hatte sie CMO-Positionen bei Informed Insurance und Morton Salt sowie Führungspositionen bei PepsiCos Quaker Foods und FedEx inne.
- Appointment of experienced CMO with over 20 years in foodservice and CPG marketing
- New CMO brings proven track record of digital transformation and value platform development
- Strategic hire aligns with company's expansion and growth objectives
- None.
Veteran marketing leader brings proven expertise in driving guest engagement, sales, and modern growth strategies
OAK BROOK, Ill., Sept. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portillo’s (NASDAQ: PTLO), the one-of-a-kind restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today announced the appointment of Denise Lauer as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective September 22, 2025.
Lauer brings more than two decades of marketing and communications experience to Portillo’s, primarily in the foodservice and food CPG industries. Most recently, she served as Chief Marketing Officer for Marco’s Pizza, one of the nation’s fastest-growing pizza concepts with more than 1,200 locations. In this role, she led a team responsible for brand, media, digital, field marketing, customer experience, and product and channel innovation. At Marco’s Pizza, Lauer developed and executed a comprehensive growth strategy with a strong focus on brand, digital marketing, loyalty programs and local restaurant marketing.
"Denise brings an exceptional combination of strategic vision and hands-on execution, and we are thrilled to welcome her to Portillo’s,” said Michael Osanloo, Portillo’s President and CEO. “Denise’s proven track record of revitalizing customer experiences, growing sales and transactions, and building high-performing marketing teams will be instrumental as we continue to expand Portillo's reach and deepen our connection with guests across the country.”
During her tenure at Marco’s Pizza, Lauer spearheaded initiatives that helped the brand emerge as one of the top pizza chains in the highly competitive U.S. market. Her achievements included establishing a multi-year innovation pipeline that launched multiple LTOs and permanent menu additions, developing the successful “Marco’s More Menu" value platform that grew check and trip frequency, and driving a digital transformation that modernized and simplified the online ordering experience.
Lauer’s appointment underscores Portillo’s continued investment in strengthening its leadership team and ensuring the right talent is in place to accelerate sales and transaction growth while delivering unrivaled food and experiential dining that gets guests excited and keeps them coming back.
“As a fan and frequent guest at Portillo’s, I'm excited to join this incredible team and contribute to the continued growth of this beloved brand,” said Lauer. “Portillo’s has a unique position in the market with its craveable menu and passionate fanbase. I look forward to working with Portillo’s talented marketing team to enhance our digital capabilities, celebrate and connect with our guests, and grow awareness of our concept as we expand into new and developing markets.”
Growing up in a restaurant family, Lauer has a lifelong love for the food industry. Over the course of her career, Lauer has served as Chief Marketing Officer for several other brands, including Chicago-based Informed Insurance and Morton Salt. Additionally, she has held various leadership roles at PepsiCo's Quaker Foods and Snacks division and FedEx. Her work has been honored with prestigious industry awards, including multiple Cannes Lions Gold awards and recognition as an Adweek Rising Brand Star while at Morton Salt.
About Portillo’s
Portillo’s (NASDAQ: PTLO) is a one-of-a-kind brand that has grown from a small hot dog trailer in Chicago to more than 95 restaurants across 10 states. Known for its unique menu of craveable Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads and iconic chocolate cake, Portillo’s is beloved in both its home of Chicagoland and across new and growing markets. Portillo’s operates a company-owned model of not just restaurants – but experience-focused destinations that blend dine-in, drive-thru, takeout and delivery to serve our guests with the food they crave. And now, after six decades of success and counting, Portillo’s is on a mission to bring its iconic food and unforgettable dining experience to guests across the country.
Media Contact:
ICR, Inc.
PortillosPR@icrinc.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9d8ccd35-f896-437c-9737-4d6b31567d0e
FAQ
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