MATT JONES
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT – FIRO FIRE KISSED PIZZA
Mathew Jones founded the Firo concept in 2013, and has served as our President since our inception in October 2014. Dr. Jones also has served as the President of Artisan Pizza Pies, LLC in Lawton, Oklahoma since November 2013. Dr. Jones is a practicing orthodontist, and is the founding principal of Mathew Jones DMD PC in Lawton, Oklahoma, established in June 2008.
Dr. Jones believes and holds firmly to the principles he learned as a youth while achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He believes that a business must be founded upon the core values of hard work, integrity, professionalism, service to others, enjoyment of life, and in treating all people with kindness and respect.
When Dr. Jones is not working on giving his patients beautiful smiles or creating smiles by serving delicious artisan pizza, he enjoys activities such as aviation, wake boarding, wake surfing, and spending time with his family.
AL RYAN
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS – FIRO FIRE KISSED PIZZA
Mr. Ryan has over 35 years of experience in the QSR industry with responsibilities that included driving restaurant startups to supporting over 2,200 restaurants around the world. Prior to working at Firo Fire Kissed Pizza, Mr. Ryan worked for The Krystal Company based in Atlanta, GA from 2012 to 2014. He served as Vice President of Operations overseeing 350 company and franchise units. During his time at The Krystal Company, he helped improve the company’s profits by 62% and sales by 8% within that short period of time. He was responsible to ensure consistency in the operating process & systems and to uphold the company’s core values. He did this by managing and directing a restructured operations team that drove results for the brand.
Prior to The Krystal Company, Mr. Ryan worked at Church’s Chicken a division of Cajun Operating Company, from 2006 to 2012. He served as Vice President of International Operations where he oversaw the Franchise Operations in over 20 countries and over 450 units. Mr. Ryan improved company profitability through driving sales and net unit growth in the existing and new International Franchise markets. He was responsible to ensure consistency in the operating process & systems around the world by managing and directing an experienced Field Operations team to properly support the Franchisees.
Prior to his role as Vice President for The Krystal Company & Church’s Chicken, Mr. Ryan held numerous positions with Domino’s Pizza in both the US and International segment from 1980 to 2005. Positions included Executive Vice President (Franchise Organization), Vice President of International Field Operations (over 60 countries and over 2,200 units), Corporate Operations Director, and Regional Training Director.
Mr. Ryan studied Financial Reporting at Duke University – Fuqua School of Business.
BEN COLLINS
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR & FIELD TRAINER – FIRO FIRE KISSED PIZZA
Mr. Collins has 14 years of experience in restaurant management operations in both QSR and casual dining restaurants.
From 2003 – 2011 he operated both single and multi-unit locations for a Taco Bell franchise in Texas. He headed company training and development at each level, as well as local marketing. Each restaurant saw double digit increases in sales and profitability over the final 3 years.
In 2011 Mr. Collins joined Chili’s management team as an operator in Texas and later in Oklahoma. His focus on sales, flow through, and culture helped drive regional and company leading results in multiple categories.
At the beginning of 2015, he joined Team Firo as General Manger of their Lawton location. In a short amount of time, he has seen several records being broken and continues to excel in all the key metrics important for growth. Ben follows the Firo Mission with pride: To build a total quality artisan experience, one raving fan at a time.
