August 31, 2009
Industry Headlines
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Papa John’s International, Inc. recently announced the hiring of Andrew Varga as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. Varga joins Louisville-based Papa John’s after a 21-year stint with another Kentucky company, the Brown-Forman Corporation. According to a company-issued press release, Varga will report to Papa John’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Jude Thompson.
“We are excited to welcome Andrew Varga to Papa John’s,” Thompson said in the release, issued last week. “Andrew is a savvy marketing veteran who understands the power of branding and has done an outstanding job during his career at Brown-Forman. He has significant retail and branding experience in a highly competitive environment, and I am confident in his ability to move Papa John’s forward by keeping our brand on message and on strategy.
Since 2007, Varga has held the position of Senior Vice President/Director of Marketing for Brown-Forman, responsible for the company’s Wines and Spirits portfolio in North America. He represented 30 brands with annual sales exceeding $1 billion.
Villa Enterprises Management, parent company of New Jersey-based Villa Pizza, sponsored a luncheon for 30 underprivileged children in Pittsburgh’s Ross Park Mall on August 17. The lunch was part of a collaboration with the Pittsburgh Pirates Wives’ charitable organization, and it benefited the Pennsylvania Homeless Children’s initiative. The lunch followed a “Build-a-Bear” Workshop event at the mall.
Villa Enterprises Management, headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, has over 300 locations in 37 U.S. states and five countries.
Fort Lauderdale-based Pizza Fusion has appointed Larry Feldman to its Board of Directors. Feldman is a major Subway franchisee that owns exclusive development rights to America’s mid-Atlantic region and supports over 1,000 Subway stores, according to a Pizza Fusion press release. Pizza Fusion says it has appointed Feldman to its Board to aid in the pizza company’s national expansion plans.
“Larry’s extensive experience with developing and supporting franchise territories will prove invaluable to Pizza Fusion as we create new business opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to capitalize off of our continued growth", says Mark Begelman, Pizza Fusion CEO. "Despite the current economic landscape, national interest in Pizza Fusion's progressive franchise model continues to mount. Larry will assist us as we convert this interest into ground level opportunities for business savvy individuals looking to capitalize from our proven business model."
Pizza Fusion launched its franchise program in 2007. Since then, the organic, eco-friendly chain has expanded to 21 stores in 11 states.
Domino’s Pizza has put 15 of its employees in its latest television commercial, “Chefs vs. Accountants.” Of those 15, six members from the company’s accounting and R&D departments have principle roles.
“This new commercial is the latest in a string of spots featuring actual Domino’s employees and store owners,” says Russell Weiner, Domino’s Pizza Chief Marketing Officer. “Ever since our CEO, Dave Brandon, spoke out about how he felt regarding a cease and desist notice in ’Burn the Letter’ and followed that up by taking his message of The Big Taste Bailout to Capitol Hill, Domino’s staff and franchisees have been featured in TV spots and on-line advertising, including the recent franchisee feud over the Domino’s American Legends specialty pizza line.”
Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Mazzio’s Corporation has inked a franchise partnership agreement with Fransmart, a well-known franchise-development company. As a result of the deal, Fransmart will assist in growing the Mazzio’s Italian Eatery brand on a national level.
“Mazzio’s has been around for 30 years, has over 170 locations, successful franchisees, and the timing has never been better to be a tenant looking for locations, so we were happy to be able to add Mazzio’s to our portfolio,” says Fransmart CEO Dan Rowe. “The concept is universally appealing, and their franchise program is exceptionally well structured to support new unit growth. Mazzio’s Corporation is a seasoned franchisor – they not only franchise restaurants, they are also excellent operators. Fransmart is excited to expand this great concept worldwide.”
Last week, Texas-based CiCi’s Pizza announced the retirement of its CEO. Craig Moore is leaving the company, after 17 years in the organization, to pursue long-term personal goals, according to a press release issued by CiCi’s on August 24. Moore will remain a part of the chain’s ownership team. Meanwhile, Michael R. Shumsky has been hired as the new CEO.
Shumsky will leave his post as CEO of La Madeleine Restaurant, Inc. to take the CiCi’s job.
“The naming of an experienced restaurant executive like Mike Shumsky leaves CiCi’s in very capable hands,” says Bob Kulick, President of JMC Restaurant Distribution, CiCi’s Distribution arm. “With his experience in franchising and growing great brands, he will be a great addition to the CiCi’s team. Mike sees what is special about CiCi’s and why we are loved by our guests. He will positively influence CiCi’s current growth trajectory.”
Adds Shumsky: “CiCi’s is an awesome company with great franchisees that deliver the brand’s industry-recognized ‘guest first service’ every day … I hear from people all the time how much they love the CiCi’s brand and how it consistently delivers on its ‘quality at a great value’ brand positioning. I look forward to working with this management team to serve our franchisees, wow our guests and grow this great CiCi’s brand.”
If you’re planning to attend International Pizza Expo next year in Las Vegas, Nevada, Pizza Expo's housing is officially open. The world's largest and oldest pizza tradeshow will be held March 2-4, 2010, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Visit the International Pizza Expo Web site for all the latest updates and news: www.pizzaexpo.com