May 18, 2009

Industry Headlines 

Uno Chicago Grill partners with American Celiac Disease Alliance

Uno Chicago Grill will host a national Dough Rai$er beginning May 25 through 31 to benefit the American Celiac Disease Alliance (www.americanceliac.org) in support of National Celiac Awareness Month in May.

"Getting families to eat out during May, and supporting establishments which are serving their needs is a major goal for us," said Andrea Levario, executive director, American Celiac Disease Alliance.

Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley.

Consumers interested in participating in the May Dough Rai$er can secure a voucher at www.unos.com/ACDA, which they can then bring to their local Uno Chicago Grill location.  Twenty percent of sales generated from those who participate will support the ACDA cause.

"Uno is proud to support the ACDA with our hugely popular Dough Rai$er program," said CEO Frank Guidara.  "We care about the wellbeing of our customers and the communities we serve.  To date, we've donated more than $2.9 million to deserving organizations!"

The company's gluten-free menu was launched in 2006 and has over 20 items ranging from entrees, salads, sides, beverages and desserts.  Choices include grilled chicken with mango salsa, lemon basil salmon and Certified Angus Beef steaks. Known for its signature deep-dish pizza, Uno launched a line of gluten-free pizzas earlier this year, featuring cheese and pepperoni.

The company has added a new veggie pizza in honor of Celiac Awareness Month that features peppers, onions and mushrooms as toppings.  The new gluten-free veggie pizza will give those suffering from celiac disease yet another option to enjoy pizza at Uno.

The company has invested more than $2 million in nutritional advancements since 2005 and, according to Guidara, will continue its commitment to providing delicious, fresh and healthful menu options for its guests.
Based in Boston, Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation includes more than 200 company-owned and franchised full-service Uno Chicago Grill units located in 29 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Honduras, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

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Giuseppi’s rewards more than 100 Hilton Head Island Middle School students with free lunch

More than 100 Hilton Head Island Middle School students were recently sent to the principal’s office. Not for bad behavior, but rather good grades.

Students who achieved a perfect report card and a spot on the principal’s honor roll earned the opportunity to enjoy a free lunch at Hilton Head’s Giuseppi’s Pizza & Pasta. The off-campus outing, which included pizza, salad and soft drinks, took place May 6 and was coordinated by the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

According to Dr. Randy Wall, the school’s interim principal, Linda Budidharma and other PTA volunteers went all out to help make this quarterly endeavor possible.

“The PTA volunteers helped wait tables, bus tables and supervise the kids. Giuseppi’s really goes above and beyond to do this great luncheon,” Dr. Wall stated. 

Jimmy Loneiro, Director of Operations for Giuseppi’s, said that he and the school’s former principal, Sherry DeSimone, decided to revive this program a few years ago as a way to reward academic excellence with award-winning pizza.

Said Loneiro: “We’re so fortunate. There are so many families who patronize our restaurant and we are just trying to give something back. The kids get rewarded for good grades and get to leave school and have pizza with their friends. It’s a lot of fun.”

Giuseppi’s Pizza & Pasta is an award-winning SERG Restaurant Group establishment. The company  has four locations in South Carolina.

World renowned NYPD Pizza has expanded with two new locations in central Florida, bringing the total to six in the region while creating jobs to stimulate the central Florida economy. Both locations are endorsing their grand openings with rewarding specials for the community and offer dine in, take out, delivery and catering services while operating seven days a week.

Poinciana residents now have their own convenient neighborhood pizzeria at Cypress Plaza. The Lake Cay, Orlando location is walking distance from the Orlando Convention Center and Shingle Creek in the Lake Cay Commons development.

“The growth of NYPD Pizza in Orlando and the surrounding areas represents incredible success for our organization,” CEO & President Paul Russo said. “Since the first location in 1996, it has been a dream and aspiration of ours to expand in the community that has always been so loyal and dedicated to us and our product. We could never have franchised our brand if it wasn’t for the Orlando community behind us.”

Established in Orlando is 1996, NYPD Pizza’s mission is to protect and serve authentic New York style pizza, commit to top quality products, provide a family neighborhood atmosphere and deliver the best customer service in the world pizza market from its squad members and franchise owners.

 CiCi's Pizza hosts Pizza Party Pay Day raising dough for schools across nation

CiCi's Pizza had schools all over the country celebrating National Pizza Party Day May 16, as the company announced more than 50 winners from their Pizza Party Pay Day campaign.  From February through April 2009, CiCi's hosted school fundraisers giving back 10 percent to each school and qualifying them for additional cash prizes in a random drawing. CiCi's was able to donate more than $22,500 to 1,500 schools during a time when budgets are being cut and resources shrinking.

Woods Elementary in Fort Smith, Arizona was awarded a grand prize of $5,000, two schools in Katy, Texas and Ormond Beach, Florida received the second prize of $1,000 while an additional 49 schools won pizza parties for their entire school complete with 1,000 slices of pizza, 500 cinnamon rolls and party décor. Five bonus prizes of $500 were also awarded.

“Our Pizza Party Pay Day delivers the right recipe by adding value to the typical school fundraiser many quick service restaurants host,” said Craig Moore, President and CEO of CiCi's Pizza. “Fundraising events like these are becoming increasingly important for schools that are cash-strapped looking for every extra dollar to boost their budgets. The money raised can be used on whatever each school needs most like books, sports equipment, instruments or computers.” 

To qualify for the added-value prizes, schools needed to host a fundraiser during the months of February, March and April. CiCi's encouraged schools to recruit a celebrity server, such as the principal, to help motivate staff and build school involvement. CiCi's observed a 100 percent increase in participation from some schools.

Founded in 1985, CiCi's Pizza is a family-oriented buffet concept. Since opening its first restaurant in Plano, Texas, CiCi’s has grown to almost 650 restaurants in 30 states.

 International School of Pizza open for enrollment

The International School of Pizza has added more courses and enrollment is filling up fast. Tony Gemignani is the first Master Instructor in the United States and students will have the opportunity to become certified in Classic Italian Pizza, Roman Style Pizza or Pizza in Teglia (Pan Pizza). The certifications come direct from Italy.
Classes include:
• June 1-5 –– Classic Italian Pizza Course 7a.m. - 3p.m.
(Maximum 15 Students); $1,800 (Only 2 spots left)
• June 6 & 7 –– Special New York Style Course/Certification for Classic Italian Certified Students Only 6:00 a.m. - 12 noon; $900
• June 15 - 19 –– Classic Italian Pizza Course 7am- 3pm
(Maximum 15 Students) $1800
• June 22-26 –– Classic Italian Pizza Course 7am - 3pm 
(Maximum 15 Students) $1800
• June  28-30 –– Special Neapolitan Course/Certification for
Classic Italian Certified Students Only 6:00a.m. – 12 noon;  $1,000
• July 13-19 –– Neapolitan Course 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mon - Fri
and weekends 6:30a.m. - 12pm  (Maximum 10 Students); $2,000
• July 27 & 28 Home Chef Courses Classic Italian & Neapolitan - 4pm (Maximum 12 Students) $350
• August 3-7 –– U.S.  New York & California Style Course Combo; 7am-2pm (Maximum 15 Students) $1,500

For more information, call (415) 835-9889 or contact nancy@internationalschoolofpizza.com.
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