Texas-based Pizza Patrón saw record sales following the launch of its aggressive new recession relief campaign in the Dallas/Fort Worth market. Despite widespread sales slumps across the industry, sales at Pizza Patrón continue to climb due largely to the company’s recent marketing efforts designed to broaden its appeal within the communities surrounding each store.

The new ‘Dia del Patrón’ promotion features the company’s 12-inch medium Amigo Pizzas with pepperoni priced at $2.99 each -- with no limit on purchases. The offer is available to customers every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday through the end of September.

Pizza Patrón distributed nearly half a million direct mail ads announcing the promotion during the week of July 20, resulting in a sales increase of 17.45 percent over the same period last year. The following week of July 27 experienced similar gains with a 13.81 percent increase in sales compared to the same period in 2008.

“This launch has proven to be much more successful than we anticipated, and it has created a lot of local buzz for our brand,” said Andrew Gamm, brand director for Pizza Patrón. “No one else in the industry can touch the values we are offering, and that gives a lot of new people incentive to try our pizza.”

The high demand exceeded company expectations spurring quick development of plans to expand the program into other markets. ‘Dia del Patrón’ is scheduled to roll out by mid August in the Houston and Phoenix markets.

Pizza Patrón’s same store sales were up 8.27 percent in the first quarter of 2009 and 4.15 percent for the second quarter. The company expects to finish the second half of the year strong with continued positive sales growth.

Since 1986, Pizza Patrón has been celebrating the diversity of the Latin culture and lifestyle in its stores. Today, the company operates 90 stores in six states and plans to have 750 stores nationwide within a decade. Approximately 93 percent of Pizza Patrón restaurants in the U.S. are owned and operated by franchisees.

CiCi’s Pizza opened its first West Coast location today in San Diego, California, marking the company's official and much anticipated move to the West Coast.

"CiCi's Pizza is eager to bring 24 years of success in the fast casual segment and pizza industry to California," said Craig Moore, president and CEO of CiCi's Pizza. "We are excited about the prospects for this new territory and Melissa Carter, our franchisee. California is a significant milestone in our expansion and we intend to deliver on our lasting commitments to our customer service, fresh quality ingredients and great value."

The San Diego location will be the first CiCi's Pizza for franchise owner Melissa Carter. Carter was familiar with CiCi's Pizza after living in Houston and having it be one of her family's favorite restaurants.  After moving to the San Diego area over a year ago, Carter attended a CiCi's Franchise Expo to learn more about the possibility of finally realizing her dream of starting her own. With an extensive background in law and growing up in a family run business, Melissa and her husband, Andre are finally seeing that dream come real.

"We are very excited about opening the first CiCi's in California in San Diego, especially because there has been so much anticipation for the brand to come to this state," said Carter. "We are focused on providing great food for an excellent value to the people of San Diego and plan to have a lot of fun along the way!  We were always treated so well and made to feel so special when we visited a CiCi's Pizza and we want our guests to feel just as special when they come to our restaurant.”

Since opening its first restaurant in Plano, Texas, in 1985, CiCi's has grown to almost 650 restaurants in 32 states. In 2006, CiCi's introduced the carry-out only To-Go restaurants with 13 operating in Texas, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma and California.

Sbarro Inc, has announced the renewal of a multiyear contract with PepsiCo Foodservice, keeping Pepsi as its exclusive beverage supplier in over 600 locations nationwide.  As part of the agreement, Sbarro will continue to carry carbonated and non-carbonated products in fountain format including Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Mountain Dew, Lipton and Tropicana.  The deal marks the continuation of a partnership that has spanned the past 14 years.

"PepsiCo continues to be a great beverage partner," said Anthony Missano, president, business development, Sbarro.  "Our Pepsi representatives are terrific and the brand set they offer is clearly the best for our customers, and Sbarro's continued global expansion."

"Sbarro is known for its fresh, authentic Italian cuisine and of course, its famous mouth-watering pizza," said Joe Cugine, chief customer officer, PepsiCo Foodservice.  "With PepsiCo's keen consumer insights and diversified brand portfolio, we're committed to helping Sbarro grow their total business."

Sbarro, based in Melville, New York, was founded 50 years ago by the Sbarro family. The company's restaurants are located in shopping centers, airports, universities, casinos, rest stops, hotels, stadiums and hospitals throughout 45 countries.  In 2007, Sbarro was acquired by MidOcean Partners.