February 16, 2009

Industry Headlines

Papa John's Founder John Schnatter serves pizza to troops stationed in Kuwait 

In 2003, Papa John’s International made one of its most important deliveries ever when it delivered pizzas to air force troops stationed in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Last week, Papa John’s Founder John Schnatter did one better by visiting the region and helping serve more than 250 troops stationed at Camp Buehring in Kuwait.

Schnatter also was able to speak with the troops, thanking them for their service and all they do to keep America safe.

“It was an honor serving the troops and giving them a little taste of home,” said Schnatter. “I think sometimes we take for granted the sacrifice our troops and their families make so that we are able to enjoy our freedom at home. On behalf of all of Papa John’s, this was just one small way of saying thank you.”

The event was organized by Khalid Alrashid, Papa John’s franchisee in Kuwait, who brought all the equipment necessary to make the pizzas, including an oven, to the base. After serving the troops at Camp Buehring, the group made an additional delivery to the local USO.

“Doing events like this helps demonstrate how committed John, and Papa John’s, is to our core values,” said Myles Felt, Papa John’s vice president of international operations. “John spent many hours saying hello and taking photos with every soldier. He once again showed that people are the most important part of our business.”

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky is the world's third largest pizza company.

Burke fully cooked meat pizza toppings make your job easier by bringing you convenience, consistency, safety and authenticity. We specialize in Hand-Pinched Style® toppings, Italian sausage, beef & pork pizza toppings, meatballs, pepperoni, bacon bits, diced ham, taco meats, shredded meats, chicken and beef strips. Our commitment to quality is demonstrated through accurate product development, consistent products, responsive customer service, and on-time deliveries. Custom formulation and private labeling available.  www.burkecorp.com

Domino's 'Secretary of Taste' highly visible on Presidents' Day

Capitalizing on the patriotic tastes to be found on Domino's new American Legends pizzas and its new advertising spokesman, the fictional politician, "Secretary of Taste," Domino's Pizza bought an advertising "roadblock" during the highly-rated primetime network shows on Presidents' Day.

Domino's 30-second spot featured its faux politician, "The Secretary of Taste," and appeared at roughly the same time on three networks during the 9 p.m. hour: during ABC's "The Bachelor," Fox's "24" and NBC's "Heroes." This "roadblock," a media technique used successfully by politicians to guarantee their messages are heard loud and clear, was used by President Obama during his campaign for President.

"We love the fact that our politician - 'The Secretary of Taste' - will speak to America on Presidents' Day via a media tactic used by Presidents past and present," said Domino's Chief Marketing Officer Russell Weiner. "This 'roadblock' will also expose our new product platform to a full quarter of American TV watchers simultaneously. We thank President Obama for the idea."

Inspired by the unique tastes to be found throughout the country, Domino's American Legends pizzas are available in six varieties at $12.99 for a large or $10.99 for a medium. The pizzas are available at all continental U.S. stores, with promotional support from America's dairy producers in cooperation with Dairy Management Inc.

Founded in 1960, Domino's Pizza operates a network of 8,726 franchised and company-owned stores in the United States and 60 international markets.

 
1000 Pizza Magnets for $130!
Pizza magnets from Magnets USA® come in Pizza Slice, Pizza Pie, Business Card and Pizza Guy Styles and are customized with your business information. People go to the refrigerator at least 11 times a day. Order today... only 13¢ each at quantity 1000!

1000 Jumbo Supreme Pizza Magnets for $180!
The bigger the magnet...the bigger the exposure! Jumbo Supreme Pizza Magnets become the focal point of the customer’s refrigerator; never again will your customers struggle to find your phone number! Only 18¢ per quantity 1000!   

Colony Foods to hold customer appreciation food show

This year commemorates the 20th anniversary of Colony Foods, and the company invites its customers, friends and family to celebrate its inaugural Customer Appreciation Food Show on Tuesday February 24, 2009, at the Radisson in Manchester, New Hampshire.  Each supplier, speaker and fresh idea has been selected for the VALUE they will add to your Bottom-Line.

The event kicks-off with an informative and interactive discussion geared specifically for the customers and friends of Colony Foods by industry consultant Big Dave Ostrander. Ostrander will offer a straight forward, no-nonsense approach to assist the independent operator compete and thrive in the New England marketplace.

The show floor opens at 10 a.m. packed with 110 booths staffed with suppliers eager to educate and demonstrate more than 1,000 items including over 200 fresh ideas, new items and unique services geared specifically for the independent operator. The show floor closes at 4 p.m. and is followed by a must-see seminar on “Everything you need to know about Flour” presented by the Tim Huff of General Mills.

Seating is limited to the first 80 guests for the Big Dave and Tim Huff seminars so RSVP early or call your Colony consultant for more information.
 

World Pizza Champion to appear on new Food Network show

World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani will appear on the Food Network’s new show “Will Work For Food” staring Adam Gertler from the “Next Food Network Star.” The show takes place at Gemignani’s own Pyzano's Pizzeria in Castro Valley, California.

Gertler will learn how to make two of Gemignani's award-winning pizzas, learns how to toss and has to work in the kitchen on a busy night. Watch and see how Gertler entertains guests and performs under pressure while making Tony's winning creations.

The show is scheduled to run: February 23, at 9:30 p.m. EDT /8:30c;  February 23 at 12:30 a.m. EDT /11:30c and March 01, 4:30 p.m. EDT /3:30c.

Franchisee to bring award-winning zpizza to Washington state

zpizza has finalized a contract with franchisee, Ritu Shah-Burnham, to open three new restaurants in Seattle, Washington. The Southern California-based gourmet pizza chain has built a powerful presence across the United States. zpizza currently has 87 open stores and continues its impressive expansion with 400 more locations in development across the U.S., the Middle East and Mexico.
 
Ritu is currently focusing on finding real estate in downtown Seattle and plans to target North Seattle and Bellevue for her next two locations.  She hopes to open her first location in the summer of 2009 and to have all three up and running by 2012.
 
“People in Seattle are very specific about food,” says Ritu. “I’m from the Midwest and walking into the grocery stores here made my mouth drop open.  Everyone wants organic food with no chemicals – it’s just a staple here.  zpizza will fit into the Seattle food scene perfectly with its organic flexible menu.”
 
Featured on "Good Morning America" as a healthy dining option, zpizza takes a unique approach to the crowded pizza segment by appealing to traditional pizza lovers, health conscious consumers and gourmet palates alike. zpizza’s menu offers 22 tasty and adventurous pizzas as well as sandwiches, salads, calzones and the opportunity to create your own pizza with a selection of premium ingredients — including 100-percent certified organic wheat crust and sauce, low-fat cheeses, veggies and other creative toppings.

Marco's Pizza unveils new box, small wares

Toledo, Ohio-based Marco’s Pizza has introduced a colorful new system of pizza boxes and small ware designs in its stores nationwide.
 
Marco’s now has 23 box design variations, each displaying the story behind one of its key ingredients: dough made fresh in stores daily; a blend of three fresh cheeses (never frozen); a proprietary sauce recipe that blends imported spices and three types of vine-ripened tomatoes and Marco’s fresh Italian meats.
 
“Marco’s offers fresh and authentic Italian pizza,” said Vice President of Marketing Peter Wise. “The philosophy behind our high-quality ingredients is now explained right on our boxes so customers can gain a little understanding of why the pizza is so good.”
 
The new boxes are a key part of Marco’s marketing efforts to educate customers about the brand as well as a sales piece – the bottom of each box contains information about becoming a Marco’s franchisee.
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­
Marco’s was able to enhance the recyclability of its millions of pizza boxes by using an unvarnished finish. The company is also rolling out new cups, napkins, product containers and other small wares for a unified brand presentation.
 
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Founded in 1978 by Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco, Marco’s Pizza has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate more than 170 stores in 16 states.