February 10, 2010

Industry Headlines

Pizza Hut dive continues

Last week, Louisville, Kentucky-based Yum! Brands released its fourth-quarter 2009 earnings. During the earnings conference call, Yum! Chairman and CEO David Novak said 2009 was a strong year for his company. However, the picture for Pizza Hut's U.S. stores remains far from rosy. In Q4 2009, same-store sales decreased a whopping 12 percent. On the year, Pizza Hut's comps were down 5 percent from 2008.

That said, Pizza Hut CFO Rick Carucci said during the call that even though same-store sales in the U.S. were down at Pizza Hut, the company's franchisees had "commodities benefits" in 2009 and still made good profits despite soft sales.

 Stevi B's adds breakfast offering

Stevi B's, a pizza buffet chain based in Atlanta, has added a Western omelet breakfast pizza to its lineup. Made with eggs, green peppers, red onions, tomatoes, mushrooms and a cheddar-jack cheese blend, the pizza is the company's first foray into breakfast.

"We are very excited to debut breakfast pizza at all of our 35 Stevi B's locations," says company president Matthew Loney. "We anticipate our breakfast pizza to win the hearts of consumers who do enjoy deviating from traditional lunch and dinner options. We also expect a great response on the weekends, where breakfast pizza will place us into the brunch segment. After several months of development, we are confident that Stevi B's breakfast pizza will taste delicious and offer customers the same quality ingredients that are in all of our specialty pizzas."

 Papa Murphy's, Nick-N-Willy's bring back heart-shaped pizzas
 

An annual success, the heart-shaped Valentine's pizzas are back on the menu at Papa Murphy's for a limited time. Most of the take-and-bake pizza chain's 1,180 locations will offer it this week to patrons nationwide, though prices and participation will vary.

"Pizza is a fun food to begin with, but make it heart-shaped for Valentine's Day and you've got an equation for an entertaining and memorable meal," says Carron Harris, vice president of product development at Papa Murphy's. "Whether it's a large family gathering or a romantic dinner for two, we're honored that so many choose to celebrate the day with us."

Not to be outdone, Colorado-based Nick-N-Willy's is also offering a heart-shaped pie for the fourth straight year: at a discounted price of $6 for a large one- or two-topping through February 14.

"Pizza can be very romantic. It's the perfect food to share with your family, friends or your sweetheart on the most romantic day of the year. Pair it with a glass of wine, dine by candlelight and fall in love with our pizza," says Nick-N-Willy's president and COO Richard Weil.

 Paisano's raising funds for ill youngster
 

Every Monday, beginning today, Centreville, Virginia-based Paisano's will donate $2 from each large pizza the company sells to the Rachel D'Andrea Fund. D'Andrea, a native of Chantilly, Virginia, is battling an insidious form of childhood cancer.

"Rachel D'Andrea is a beautiful little two-and-a-half year old girl diagnosed with Neuroblastoma," says Paisano's CEO Fouad Qreitem. "She truly needs our help. She needs our help and her family needs the help, support and encouragement of those in our community. I for one am honored to assist in that regard and have decided to make 'Monday Night is Rachel D'Andrea Night' an event at all area Paisano's restaurants, where anyone who wishes can help make a simple yet extremely important contribution to alleviate the financial burdens of an area family ... and it won't cost the customer a cent!"

CPK adds small plates to menu
 

California Pizza Kitchen last week announced a new "Small Cravings" menu. The appetizer lineup contains seven new items that range in price from $4-$7: Asparagus & Arugula Salad, Buffalo Chicken, Sweet Corn Tamale Ravioli, Crispy Artichoke Hearts, Mediterranean Plate (a Greek salad along with hummus and Feta), The Wedge Salad and White Corn Guacamole & Chips.

To complement these dishes, CPK is also offering "Wine Cravings", a new wine menu poured as half glasses, most for under $5.

"With the new 'Small Cravings' menu we are offering the innovative and bold flavors we are known for, but in smaller portions," says CPK founder Rick Rosenfield. "We are encouraging guests to explore the many tastes of CPK, one small plate at a time."