July 14, 2009

Industry Headlines 

09.09.09 'event' coming to Pizza Today

The Pizza Today staff is hard at work on a very special "event" to coincide with the magazine's September issue. Have you heard about our event in print? We guarantee this is one issue you can't afford to miss. We don't want to give away too many details just yet, but rest assured we have something truly special in the works. Stay tuned for more information.

Round Table Pizza celebrates 50th Anniversary with 50-Cent pizzas

Fifty years ago, Bill Larson opened up a pizza parlor and pub in Menlo Park, California that he called The Round Table. He invited his neighbors to "share a  little pizza with someone you love." Today, Round Table Pizza is repeating its founder's call, making it easier than ever to share a lot of pizza with everyone you love.

Guests can now get a medium one-topping pizza for only 50 cents when they purchase a large or extra-large specialty pizza at menu price.

"We wanted to throw a huge party and thank every one of our guests for choosing Round Table for the last fifty years," explains Round Table Pizza President Rob McCourt. "What better way to do that than to give them more of what they love -- great pizza with the  highest quality ingredients and dough that's rolled fresh every  morning." 

Domino's Pizza cleans american streets With GreenGraffiti 

Domino's Pizza cleans american streets With GreenGraffiti 

Domino's Pizza is launching an environmentally-friendly and potentially controversial marketing campaign with a unique twist to promote its Domino's American Legends specialty pizzas. In an overnight secret mission, 220 Domino's Pizza logos have been strategically "blasted" onto sidewalks in three legendary American cities (Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York City) with the help of a high-pressure water sprayer.
 
The first 250 people to email the company and submit a photo of them with a GreenGraffiti sidewalk Domino's logo received a $15 Domino's gift card, good for a Domino's American Legends pizza.

U.S. Military veteran opens pizza franchise under Little Caesars Veterans Program

Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. today proudly celebrates the grand opening of another store under the Little Caesars Veterans Program, as former U.S. Marine Corps Platoon Sergeant Billy Tucker opens his Little Caesars Pizza restaurant at 1371 Hancock Road in Bullhead City, Arizona.

"It is an honor to be a part of a franchise system that supports veterans for their service and provides the opportunity for us to become business owners and operators," said Tucker. "The Little Caesars Veterans Program will allow me to utilize the skills I learned in the military to run my store and build for my future."

Angelo's Restaurant wins accolades in Houston, Texas

Pizza Inn names new managing director of development for Asia Pacific

Pizza Inn, an international pizza chain based in The Colony, Texas, recently announced the appointment of internationally respected franchise executive Anthony Kwok as managing director of development, Asia Pacific.
 
Kwok, who most recently served as Regional Director of Development and Franchising for Domino's Pizza in Ann Arbor, Michigan, will be responsible for managing a sector of Pizza Inn's international franchise development program and overseeing franchise sales growth in the Asian Pacific region.
 
"Mr. Kwok is a solid addition to the Pizza Inn team and a seasoned professional that we are eager to begin managing the Asian Pacific region," said Charlie Morrison, CEO of Pizza Inn, Inc. "He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in building franchise development programs and we are proud to have him on board."

 Extreme Pizza official openes in San Ramon, California

Extreme Pizza has opened its one-of-a-kind restaurant experience that delivers an irresistible menu offering to the local community of San Ramon, California. This is Extreme Pizza's ninth corporate store as the company continues its rapid expansion into Northern California.

"We are very excited to be opening a location in San Ramon," says Todd Parent, CEO of Extreme Pizza. "Our high quality products and unique restaurant concept has brought us great success with our current Bay Area locations and we anticipate the same in San Ramon. We are looking forward to getting involved in the neighborhood and being a part of such an exceptional community."

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza opens 18th location since 2002 launch

Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza (ACFP) continued its remarkable expansion with the opening of its 18th location since premiering in 2002.  The newest ACFP, the first outside Florida, opened July 2 at 6569 Las Vegas Blvd. in Town Square Las Vegas, an open-air shopping, dining and entertainment destination on The Strip.

The South Florida-based concept, which uses authentic coal-burning ovens to create "well done pizzas," first premiered seven years ago in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  The company plans to continue its significant growth throughout Florida and also is targeting the Northeast.

TW Garner Food Company president "Reg" Garner passes away

Ralph Edward "Reg" Garner, President of TW Garner Food Company, died June 26 at the age of 56 after a long illness.

Born September 5, 1952 in Winston-Salem, NC, Garner always loved and admired the business that his grandfather, father and uncles worked to build, according to a press release issued by the company.  At the age of 16, he started working in various positions throughout the facility during summers at home. Garner graduated from Summit School in 1967 and from The Asheville School for Boys in 1970. After graduation from Washington & Lee University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and a Certificate in Commerce, Garner returned to the company to continue his career.