February 2, 2009
Industry Headlines
Domino’s Pizza has launched its Amerian Legends line of specialty pizzas. The line features 40-percent more cheese than a regular pizza, cheesy crusts and delicious combinations of premium toppings. Domino’s has been aggressive in the new product launch arena over the past few months, introducing Domino's American Legends on the heels of its Oven Baked Sandwich line.
The pizza line was released in time for the Super Bowl. 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. Varieties include: Honolulu Hawaiian; Cali Chicken Bacon Ranch; Pacific Veggie; Memphis BBQ Chicken; Buffalo Chicken and Philly Cheese Steak.
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.
In 1994 Joey Todaro started La Nova Wings, Inc. He introduced wings to the pizza business, and in just a few years, we are the NUMBER ONE seller of Authentic Buffalo Wings; and Buffalo Wing are now the top selling appetizer in the pizzeria industry! Our products have now expanded from our heat and serve wings to an array of high quality appetizers and dipping sauces. Learn more about La Nova at www.lanova.com
Valentine’s Day, already the second largest card-sending holiday behind Christmas, is now one of the biggest pizza-selling days of the year for Papa Romano’s Pizza thanks to the chain’s popular heart-shaped Love Pizza. Papa Romano’s Pizza, which introduced the Love Pizza in 1991, sold nearly 30,000 of the doughy delights last year.
Despite the sour economy, the chain expects 2009 to be another sweet year for Love Pizza sales. “It is really an ideal gift because it’s affordable, tasty and something people enjoy receiving,” said Casey Askar, chairman and chief executive officer of Papa Romano’s Pizza. “Our Love Pizza makes a nice impression without breaking the bank.”
For only $5.99 each, the one-topping Love Pizza comes packaged in a special, festive red box. For lovebirds with a bigger appetite, there is also a Romance Package coupon-offer featuring two one-topping Love Pizzas, a medium-size salad and two chocolate-chip cookies. The Love Pizza is available February 9 -15.
Papa Romano’s Pizza makes it convenient and easy to satisfy your sweetheart with a made-to-order Love Pizza featuring his or her favorite toppings. Simply order in advance by phone at your local Papa Romano’s Pizza. Those who are struck by Cupid’s arrow at the last minute and need a quick gift on Valentine’s Day are also covered. Fresh from the oven, hot Love Pizza will be available for carry-out throughout the day.
Founded in 1970, today Papa Romano’s Pizza operates a network of 45 franchised and company-owned stores in Michigan and Texas.
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Uno Chicago Grill has opened its doors at the Mall of Dubai, which is the world's largest mall. This is one of several new openings in the area for Sofra LLC, the master licensee for Uno in the Middle East, which signed a 20-unit development deal covering nine countries: Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, and Bahrain.
Sofra, headed by Major General Abdul Aziz Al Bannai, former head of security for Dubai, opened its first Uno franchise in Dubai, which set records for unit sales. Then, through a sub-licensee, Sofra opened units in Jeddah and Dammam, Saudi Arabia and most recently their first unit in Kuwait. Mr. Al Bannai is a successful businessman who is a prolific entrepreneur and restaurateur. He is the founder and developer of Axiom Telecommunications Company, Dubai, a distributor and retailer of wireless products in the Middle East.
Continuing its commitment to guest service and satisfaction, Uno's lead chef and concept team have made menu and restaurant design changes to reflect the cultural and taste preferences of diners in each area. For example, several of the new restaurants have separate entrances and dining areas for single men and families. Pork dishes, as well as alcohol, have been removed from the menu, and Halal-certified meats are featured.
"There is a clear acceptance of western brands in the region, as long as they are sensitive to local cultures," notes Frank Guidara, CEO, Uno Chicago Grill. "And, unlike the current economic climate here in the U.S., entrepreneurs in the Middle East have access to the financial resources needed to develop global concepts."
Based in Boston, Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation includes more than 200 company-owned and franchised full-service units located in 29 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Honduras, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Columbus, Ohio-based Mama Mimi’s Take ‘N Bake Pizza’s net sales grew 6.4 percent over January 2008’s same-store net sales, despite troubling economic news assaulting consumers all month long.
January 2009’s net sales growth continue the performance trend demonstrated all during 2008, in which Mama Mimi’s same-store net sales growth finished 15.8% over 2007 same-store net sales levels. Every month in 2008 posted positive double-digit increases over the previous year’s comparable periods, resulting in 13 straight months of positive same-store net sales increases ending January 31, 2009.
Mama Mimi’s Take ‘N Bake Pizza is owned by Jeff and Jodi Aufdencamp.
Pizza Patron, the premier Latino pizza brand, rolled out its new Amigo Pizza in all of its restaurants nationwide. For the first time in the company's 22-year history, it is offering a 12-inch medium pizza as an alternative to their signature 15-inch x-large pie.
The Amigo Pizza was launched under the banner "Un Amigo para Todos" (an Amigo for everyone) with a campaign featuring three distinct "Choose Your Amigo" value options - one-topping $4, two or three toppings $5 and specialty pizzas for only $6 each. The new product compliments the company's existing everyday pricing structure and underscores its straight-forward approach to transacting with guests.
"Our customer base has been hit particularly hard by the current economic conditions, often forcing a choice between filling the gas tank or treating the family to pizza," said Andrew Gamm, director of brand development for Pizza Patron. "The addition of Amigo Pizzas to the menu helps us reinforce our commitment of keeping 'Mas Pizza' for 'Menos Dinero' accessible to as many people as possible."
"For 23 years we have been known for having one size pizza and great value," said Antonio Swad, founder of Pizza Patron Inc. "Now we have two sizes, and the value is even more incredible."
Pizza Patron has been credited with creating the country's first chain of Latino-Hispano focused restaurants, where traditional American-style pizza is served in a distinctly Latin environment. The company currently operates nearly 90 stores in six states and plans to have 750 stores nationwide within a decade.
Less than one year ago, Pizza Hut introduced restaurant-quality Tuscani Pastas from Pizza Hut. Millions of families across the country have enthusiastically gathered at the table to enjoy the delicious taste of a great pasta meal freshly prepared and delivered hot to their door. And today, there's one more reason to celebrate -- introducing Tuscani Lasagna from Pizza Hut.
The new Tuscani Lasagna is so good in fact, that as part of their new reality-themed ad campaign, Pizza Hut brought their new Lasagna to Italy and earned rave reviews from Italians who truly know good pasta.
"Lasagna is America's most popular pasta dish, so it was a natural addition to our line of Tuscani Pastas," said Scott Bergren, Pizza Hut president and chief concept officer. "Americans have eagerly embraced the concept of delivery pasta over the past year catapulting Pizza Hut to become the undisputed category leader. We're excited for the introduction of Lasagna as it gives our customers another great reason to enjoy a delicious, authentic pasta at an unbeatable price from Pizza Hut."
The Italian-inspired Lasagna features lasagna noodles, real ricotta, parmesan and Romano cheeses, and a hearty Italian-seasoned meat sauce. Tuscani Pastas Lasagna is the fourth addition to the Tuscani Pastas line from Pizza Hut. In April 2008, Pizza Hut introduced Tuscani Pastas with two varieties: Meaty Marinara and Creamy Chicken Alfredo. In September, Premium Bacon Mac 'N Cheese was added to the collection, giving pasta fans a contemporary twist on a pasta classic.
As the world's largest pizza restaurant company with 6,200 restaurants in the United States and more than 4,000 restaurants in 100 other countries, Pizza Hut, Inc., is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc.