December 22, 2009
Industry Headlines
Domino's Pizza last week announced that it is making changes to its pizza recipe. The company, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2010, is touting a new and improved pizza that will be served in Domino's pizza stores nationwide beginning December 27.
Chief Marketing Officer Russell Weiner says the chain has left no stone unturned in its quest to dramatically improve its core product's flavor profile. Among other changes, Domino's has upgraded its sauce, enhanced its cheese and is finishing its crust with a garlic-herb seasoning after baking. The new sauce is both sweeter and bolder and features a medley of herbs and a noticeable touch of red pepper, the company says. The cheese now has its flavor enhanced thanks to the addition of provolone along with the standard mozzarella.
According to Weiner, consumer response during the product testing trials was overwhelmingly positive and the company saw a massive increase in the all-important intent-to-repurchase category.
Domino's chairmand and CEO, Dave Brandon, said in a company-issued press release that "2010 will be our 50th year in the business, and we are kicking it off with the most aggressive promotion in the history of our company."
The franchised Papa John's location in Seffner, Florida, recently put together 30 file crates filled with pens, paper, glue and erasers to help with the needs of McDonald Elementary School, which suffered damage from a fire on November 14.
"We wanted to show McDonald Elementary and the entire Seffner community that Papa John's Pizza cares about the community we do business in," says area manager Gary Stout.
Adds Nick Dorsch, the franchisee's director of marketing for 21 locations in the Tampa Bay area: "Schools are the core of our communities, and it is important that businesses give back to the communities that support them. We understand that businesses have been hit hard by our current economic situation, but we also understand that families and schools have been hit just as hard or harder. When McDonald Elementary suffered this unfortunate fire, we understood that their situation got a whole lot tougher and wanted to do what we could to help."
Dallas-based Boston Pizza Restaurants, LP has named Mike Best as its chief operating officer. Best most recently served as the company's CFO. Additionally, Randy Steinbrenner has been hired as Boston Pizza's vice president of sales and marketing.
"Mike and Randy's significant industry experience speaks for itself," says Boston's founder and CEO Jim Treliving. "Boston's has seen major growth in recent years and, as we continue to grow our business across North America, it is reassuring having these gentlemen in leadership positions."
Orlando-based NYPD Pizza announces the launch of its newly redesigned Web site, www.nypdpizzeria.com. The revamped site features descriptions of menu items, locations, specials, a catering menu and franchise information. The site also integrates a blog that provides customers with news and information on the pizza company's initiatives within the communities in which it does business.