True Food Kitchen Files Bankruptcy, Closes 12 Sites
True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, closing 12 locations and shrinking to 34 restaurants across 14 states amid $42.1 million in debt.
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Blaze Pizza welcomes Tracy Stockard as Chief Marketing Officer, bringing decades of brand and franchise experience to drive strategic growth and guest engagement.

Blaze Pizza has announced a pivotal leadership update for restaurant operators to watch closely - Tracy Stockard has stepped in as the brand's new Chief Marketing Officer. Stockard brings over 20 years of experience in consumer brand marketing, with previous executive posts at renowned organizations such as Big Blue Swim School and McDonald's. Her expertise spans brand revitalization, franchise marketing, digital media, loyalty programs, and consumer engagement strategies. Blaze Pizza aims to leverage this multifaceted skill set to sharpen its brand narrative and support its ever-growing network of franchisees.
Restaurant executives and franchise owners are keenly aware that strong marketing leadership is crucial to staying relevant and competitive. Stockard’s new role encompasses the entire marketing spectrum - brand strategy, creative direction, media campaigns, digital marketing, loyalty initiatives, consumer research, public relations, and local restaurant promotion. With a proven track record leading integrated campaigns and brand transformation, Stockard will be instrumental in building systemwide consistency, enhancing guest frequency, and rolling out scalable programs tailored to each restaurant’s needs.
This appointment signals Blaze Pizza’s ongoing investment in operational excellence - not only for guests and consumers but also for franchisees across the nation. Stockard will collaborate closely with both Blaze’s executive leadership and local operators to ensure messaging, menu innovation, and guest experiences align with evolving consumer preferences and market opportunities. Restaurant owners should take note of Blaze’s clear commitment to empowering locations with marketing support, tools, and unified strategies designed to attract new customers and deepen guest loyalty.
Tracy Stockard’s excitement for the foodservice industry is evident, and her hands-on leadership could prove impactful as Blaze Pizza enters its next growth stage. Restaurant managers and owners watching industry movers can learn from how Blaze is positioning itself - combining digital prowess, franchise engagement, and consumer-centered storytelling to strengthen competitive edge in a crowded fast-casual sector.
For those shaping strategic plans at the unit or multi-unit level, Blaze Pizza’s move highlights -
As restaurant competition intensifies, investing in visionary marketing talent can transform both customer experience and franchise growth. Blaze Pizza’s latest executive appointment should serve as food for thought for every forward-looking operator in the quick-service and fast-casual industry.