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August 3, 2009

Industry Headlines

Countdown to 09.09.09 'event' begins

The Pizza Today staff is putting the finishing touches on a special edition of the September issue. Our 09.09.09 "event in print" will cover the most timely and critical issues facing operators just like you. This is one issue you won't want to miss!

Pizza Hut iPhone app surpasses 100,000 downloads in two weeks

Just two weeks after becoming the first national pizza chain to introduce an ordering application for the iPhone and iPod touch, Pizza Hut has surpassed 100,000 downloads in the App Store. The App's popularity shows that Pizza Hut has hit the mark with a digital innovation that gives customers unsurpassed access to Pizza Hut pizza, pasta and wings. The new App allows customers to order Pizza Hut menu items directly from their mobile devices, bringing convenience and fun to the ordering process.

"We're delighted with the early success of our Pizza Hut App," said Brian Niccol, Pizza Hut CMO. "To reach 100,000 downloads so quickly shows that we have a unique App that gives our customers something valuable. Digital innovations have been an important part of our company's history, and the popularity of the Pizza Hut App adds to that legacy."

The App uses innovative iPhone and iPod touch features including the Multi-touch user interface and accelerometer to make ordering each individual menu item a fun and customized experience. When ordering pizzas, users virtually build their own pizza by choosing a type of crust in the scroll wheel, "pinching" to select size, and dragging-and-dropping toppings onto the pizza, all with visual confirmation. If an overeager pizza customer adds too manytoppings, the pizza explodes and toppings go flying across the screen with an alert to make their pizza happier with fewer toppings.

WingStreet wings and Tuscani Pastas also have sections of their own as well.

Pizza Hut began 50 years ago in Wichita, Kansas, and today operates more than 10,000 restaurants in hundreds of countries.

National Restaurant Association issues statement about House passage of Food Safety Reform

National Restaurant Association President and CEO Dawn Sweeney made the following statement regarding the recent vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009:

"The National Restaurant Association applauds Chairman Emeritus John Dingell (D-Mich.), Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Ranking Members Joe Barton (R-Texas) for their leadership and collaborative approach to reform our nation's food safety system. We are pleased with the legislation's focus on prevention, increased resources and risk-based approach to targeting those resources.

"The safety of the food supply continues to be the restaurant industry’s number one priority, and we –– like consumers –– rely on a supply chain that needs to provide restaurants with safe food to serve guests. We have been a strong supporter of comprehensive reforms that increase consumer confidence in the safety of the food supply. Confidence in the food supply is critical to the success of our industry and to consumers across America.

"As restaurateurs, we depend upon the food safety system to give our customers the dining experience they have come to expect. While we believe that the Food Safety Enhancement Act is a good step toward achieving that goal, we are still encouraging improvements to be made to the final legislation. We look forward to furthering our work with Congress as legislation moves through the process."

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which is comprised of 945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 13 million employees.

CiCi's Pizza celebrates Ultimate Pizza Party Blowout at all 650 restaurants

Think you know what a good pizza party is? Think again. More than 4,500,000 invitations have been distributed. A record 5.7 million slices of pizza are being prepared for hungry guests. And to quench the thirst –– 170,000 gallons of soda. An anticipated 650,000 guests will celebrate at 650 CiCi's Pizza locations on Saturday, August 8 from 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. CiCi’s also will give families a coupon book with more than $100 in savings with the purchase an adult buffet. In addition to all the pizza, soda and party festivities, that is a total of $65 million value in savings. Each coupon book is loaded with discounts from major retailers like Blockbuster, Great Clips, Sylvan Learning Center, Build-A-Bear, and many CiCi's Pizza offers.

“Our team members are geared up to party and we are ready to provide 10 solid hours of WOW for our guests,” said Craig Moore, president and CEO of CiCi's Pizza. “The Ultimate Pizza Party is our way of thanking each and every one of our guests, CiCi's wants to be sure they have the savings they need to prepare for the back-to-school season – $65 million worth of coupons – that's $100 per coupon book.”

CiCi’s operates on a simple but critical plan. “When our guests walk through the door, we do whatever it takes to make them happy. Our secret weapon is our unbelievable people. We want you to have a positive experience. If you want a pizza that we don’t have on the buffet, we will absolutely make it for you. CiCi’s serves salad, pasta, dessert and 16 kinds of pizza, all made fresh with high quality ingredients,” continues Moore.

Founded in 1985, CiCi's Pizza is a family-oriented buffet concept. Since opening its first restaurant in Plano, Texas, CiCi’s has grown to almost 650 restaurants in 31 states.

Restaurant industry applauds legislation to restore business meal tax deductions

In a move widely applauded by restaurant owners and operators throughout the United States, Representative Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) today introduced legislation that would increase the federal tax deduction for business meals from 50 percent to 80 percent. The measure would restore fairness in the tax code for legitimate business deductions and help local restaurants and small businesses, particularly during these difficult economic times.

“On behalf of restaurant owners and operators throughout the country the National Restaurant Association strongly supports this legislation which would help restore, sustain and create jobs and provide a tremendous boost to the economy,” said Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “We –– and the many restaurant employees who have seen their income reduced in these challenging economic times –– applaud Congressman Abercrombie for his leadership and urge Congress to pass this important measure.”

According to research conducted by the National Restaurant Association, the restaurant industry continues to be a key driver for the U.S. economy, with overall economic impact expected to exceed $1.5 trillion in 2009. An increase in the tax deduction for business meals to 80 percent would boost business meal sales by $6 billion a year and create a $18 billion increase to the overall economy. The industry currently employs an estimated 13 million people, or 9 percent of the U.S. workforce. It is estimated that for every additional one million dollars in restaurant sales an additional 33 jobs are generated for the economy.

“We believe that particularly during these difficult economic times, the cost of business meals should be treated fairly along with other allowed business deductions,” said Sweeney. “This legislation is an important step that will benefit local restaurants and businesses in communities throughout the nation.”

The National Restaurant Association has long supported fully restoring the federal tax deduction for business meals since it was reduced to 50 percent in 1993. Restaurants, along with small businesses, self-employed individuals and the travel and tourism industry, are most negatively impacted by the current policy. An increase in the business meal deduction would benefit the restaurant and small business community. Restaurants are the number one preference for small business people who conduct meetings outside the office and two-thirds of people who claim the business meal deduction are small business owners who rely on the deduction to grow their businesses and stay competitive.

Domino's introduces Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes

Domino's Pizza has introduced new Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes –– oven-baked chocolate cakes, crunchy on the outside, with a warm flowing chocolate fudge inside. Inspired by a combination of chocolate and textures, Chocolate Lava Crunch Cakes are priced at $3.99 for an order of two.

As Domino's launches an affordable luxury that is "sweeter" than ever, customers will receive a free Chocolate Lava Crunch Cake when purchasing an order of Domino's BreadBowl Pasta at menu price until September 13. Domino's BreadBowl Pasta is a lightly seasoned bread bowl baked up around the pasta.

From August 3-August 31, anyone with an August birthday can stop by their local Domino's to receive one free Lava Crunch Cake on their birthday. Proof of date is required, identification can include drivers license or birth certificate. Minors without driver's license need to be accompanied by an adult.

In honor of the August birthday celebration month, Domino's kicks-off the festivities in Washington D.C. for the President's birthday. On August 4, consumers can stop by any Domino's location in Washington D.C. from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and say "Happy Birthday" to the President to receive one FREE Chocolate Lava Crunch Cake. Offer valid while supplies last, one per customer, carryout only.

Founded in 1960, Domino's Pizza operates a network of 8,773 franchised and Company-owned stores in the United States and 60 international markets.

Intura investor, partner Richardson passes away

Stephen P. Richardson, one of Intura’s investors and business partners, died unexpectedly on the morning of Friday, July 24, 2009. While jogging early in the morning as he regularly did, Richardson suffered a massive heart attack and collapsed on the running track at a local high school. Other joggers and medical services responded almost immediately but were unable to revive him. Medical personnel stated that it all happened very quickly and that Richardson did not suffer.

Richardson was born on February 26, 1954, and grew up largely in the Baltimore area where he became a Washington Redskins fan. He later moved to the Northwest where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Portland State University.

Richardson held positions at Breakaway International where he later was promoted to national sales manager and excelled in leading the company's sales team and building the growth of the company. After Breakaway was sold to NTN Buzztime in August 2003, Richardson continued in that role at NTN until January 2005. At that time, Richardson became a co-founder of Intura Solutions and the VP of sales and marketing. Since 2007, Steve served as the executive vice president working to promote the growth of Intura.

Memorial services were held Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at the Grace Community Church lin Flower Mound, Texas. Richardson is survived by his wife, Bonita, and their two sons. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Stephen P. Richardson Memorial Fund managed by Nicole Grider at Wells Fargo Bank in Denton, Texas. Her number is (940) 380.2470.