November 18, 2008

Industry Headlines

Papa Murphy's Partners with Feeding America to launch fundraiser

Papa Murphys' take 'n' bake pizza has announced that it will launch "Feed Your Neighbor," a fundraising effort to benefit Feeding America (formerly named America's Second Harvest).

Feeding America is the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization, serving over 25 million Americans annually who are at risk of hunger. The "Feed Your Neighbor" campaign is designed to help Papa Murphy's, its franchise owners and customers stamp out hunger in the hundreds of communities where Papa Murphy's operates. Through December 24th, customers are encouraged to donate to "Feed Your Neighbor" by visiting www.papamurphys.com.

"Papa Murphy's believes in providing everyone an opportunity to pursue, realize and exceed their goals - it's one of our core values," said Clarice Turner, president and COO at Papa Murphy's. "This partnership with Feeding America and the 'Feed Your Neighbor' campaign will allow us to give back in those neighborhoods where the 25-year-old brand was built."

"We are delighted to begin a new relationship with Papa Murphy's," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "Our organization is currently experiencing record demand for emergency food assistance. While it is bad news that we are feeding more and more people as winter approaches, and so many Americans are facing tough choices about whether to put gas in their car, pay their rent, or feed their families, the good news is that during these harsh times, companies like Papa Murphy's are coming forward to help us feed America."

Feeding America provides individuals and families facing hunger with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief charity, network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks operate 63,000 agencies that address hunger through emergency food assistance and programs.

Papa Murphy's operates more than 1,000 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 31 states and Canada.

Stanislaus Food Products – Since 1942, our family-owned cannery has specialized in premium tomato products "packed from fresh tomatoes, not from concentrate" for quality-oriented Italian restaurants and pizzerias throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, we invite you to call us at (800) 327-7201!  www.stanilaus.com

Campania Pizza certified by Associazone Verace Pizza Napoletana

Pizza Today's 2008 Independent of the Year, recently hit another milestone. Campania Pizza in Southlake, Texas, became the 284th restaurant worldwide to be certified by the Associazone Verace Pizza Napoletana.

"We are the 26th in the US and the second in Texas (along with our great friends at Cavalli Pizza in Irving)," says owner Jay Jerrier. "So what's the big deal? Aside from it being about an eight-month process, it means that our preparation methods, ingredients and finished product comply with the VERY strict guidelines set by the Neapolitans for making true Neapolitan pizza. Basically, a very simple dough (flour, water, salt and yeast), topped with crushed Italian tomatoes, fresh fior di latte or mozzarella di bufala, and a bit of basil."

 Campania's Pizza is baked for about two minutes in an 800- to 900-degree wood-fired oven using no gas, no electricity, coal or infrared. Jerrier and the restaurant received the designation courtesy of Peppe Miele, president of the American delegation of VPN.

Magnets USA^® adds longevity and appeal to your marketing messages.  Customers love magnets.  Put your coupons, deals, promotions, special offers or menu items on a magnet and they will hang around your customers’ homes and offices for weeks, months, sometimes even years.  Our top selling pizza calendars, sports schedules, refrigerator magnets, delivery vehicle magnets, coupon mailers, pizza shaped and custom magnets will help drive up traffic and drive down costs.  Visit us online at www.MagnetsUSA.com or call today, 800.869.7562 to order or explore alternatives.

TiVo adds Domino's Pizza to its menu 

 TiVo Inc., the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), and Domino's Pizza, Inc. have teamed up to give broadband connected TiVo subscribers the ability to order pizza for delivery or pick-up, and track delivery timing, right from their TV sets using the TiVo service. It's a service that cooks up the perfect pizza purchasing recipe.

"Our commitment to customer satisfaction is what has helped us become the leader in the global pizza delivery market," said Rob Weisberg, vice president of precision and print marketing at Domino's Pizza, Inc. "We are confident that teaming with TiVo on this novel, easy, and convenient way to order pizza right from the TV will be very well received by our customers. This is the first step in the future of customer interactions with the brands they seek to engage with and buy from. This is the first time in history that the 'on- demand' generation will be able to fully experience couch commerce by ordering pizza directly through their television set. You'll see a television ad for Domino's and you'll click 'I want it' through your remote. In about 30 minutes, your pizza will show up at your door."

Karen Bressner, Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales, TiVo Inc. said, "Joining forces with Domino's Pizza creates an effective marketing and commerce tool for Domino's while enhancing and further distinguishing TiVo as the ultimate way to watch TV with a closed-loop advertising experience. This exciting new partnership offers yet another advertising solution as commercial avoidance continues to increase. With just a few clicks of the remote, TiVo users can pause their program, order a pizza, and then sit back, relax, and return to their favorite show without missing a single second. Now, TiVo delivers the absolute best television viewing experience ... and a pizza."
TiVo subscribers can seamlessly access their Domino's Pizza order from various advertising entry points on the TiVo user interface including Gold Star Sponsorship, Program Placement, Interactive Tags in live TV spots, and through Music, Photos, Products, & More by clicking on "Order Your Dominos Pizza Now." TiVo subscribers can set-up a user name and password on Dominos.com so that each time they use their TiVo remote to place an order, they can log-in with a simple account number. Alternatively, TiVo subscribers can enter their delivery address, build their pizza order right from the television set by selecting type of crust, toppings, and sauces, and get the pizza delivered by their local Domino's Pizza.

The new service is free of charge to all broadband connected TiVo subscribers and supports both delivery and pick-up orders. Viewers pay in cash when the pizza is delivered.

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.

 

Papa John's Expands Online Leadership with Free Pizza to Facebook Users

As the first national pizza chain to offer online and text message ordering, Papa John's continues to explore the digital frontier for ways to make ordering a pizza more convenient and enticing than ever before. This time around, Papa John's is looking to Facebook -- the wildly popular social networking site that boasts more than 120 million active users worldwide -- and giving free pizzas to their most technology savvy brand ambassadors.

Beginning Monday, Nov. 17 -- just ahead of Thanksgiving Eve, consistently one of the three busiest nights in the pizza industry -- any Facebook user who becomes a "fan" of the official Papa John's page will receive an online redemption code for a free medium pizza with any online pizza order.

"For our customers who already love Papa John's, a free pizza is simply our way of saying thank you for their loyalty," said Jim Ensign, Papa John's vice president, marketing communications. "And for those people who aren't as familiar with Papa John's and our belief that better ingredients make a better pizza, we invite them to see -- and taste -- the difference with this special offer."

In addition to offering a free pizza to its new fans, Papa John's will provide the same offer to the more than 10,000 Facebook users who are already fans of the brand. And while the free medium pizza with any online pizza order can only be redeemed once, Papa John's Facebook fans should expect to receive regular exclusive offers. The Facebook offer is available only in the US.

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John's International, Inc. is the world's third largest pizza company.

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza Announces Gluten-Free Menu Options

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza is proud to announce the debut of gluten-free pizza crusts to their award-winning menu at all four Las Vegas-area Sammy’s locations. The new additions have been met with rave reviews since their introduction and locals with gluten sensitivities are looking forward to another opportunity to try all 24 of Sammy’s gourmet pizzas for the first time - again.

Gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and oats and a common food ingredient, is highly intolerable to sufferers of celiac disease, a digestive disorder which damages the small intestine. A study recently conducted at University of Maryland found that 1 in 133 Americans has celiac disease, and for most of those affected, the consequences of eating the wrong food can be agonizing -- gastrointestinal distress, migraine headaches, and even cancer if left untreated. One method to curb symptoms of celiac disease is to avoid foods containing gluten.

“Restaurants today need to stay on the forefront of dining and customer satisfaction,” said Sami Ladeki, owner of the Ladeki Restaurant Group and Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza. “Our new menu additions will enable Las Vegas residents to enjoy a contemporary and health-friendly Sammy’s dining experience while still being able to enjoy their favorite dishes.”

Additional Sammy’s menu options introduced this month include a whole wheat pizza crust substitution on any of Sammy’s delicious pies as well as an option to substitute whole wheat pasta on dishes for health conscious pasta lovers.

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza has won a number of awards locally since their first store opening in 1997. There are currently four Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza locations owned and operated by the Ladeki Restaurant Group headquartered in La Jolla, California.

LaRosa's names Mark Larosa president, chief culinary officer

LaRosa’s, Inc. has announced that Mark LaRosa, formerly executive vice president, food & product development, has become president and chief culinary cfficer alongside Michael LaRosa, who was recently named chief executive officer of this $130 million restaurant business with 61 neighborhood pizzerias.

LaRosa’s was founded by their father Buddy LaRosa, who made his passion for great pizza and Italian food a hallmark of  the company. In his new role, Mark LaRosa will carry that passion forward, at the same time helping to develop strategic direction for the company.

 LaRosa is especially qualified for the chief culinary officer role, having studied at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He will be responsible for on-going development of LaRosa’s menu, maintaining its quality and variety. While famous for pizza, LaRosa’s menu is expansive with over 40 items, including pasta, salads and sandwiches, for dine in, pick up or delivery. Many selections are LaRosa family recipes, including Aunt Dena’s pizza and Grandma Mary’s spaghetti sauce.  

“We strive to be the best at making it easy for our guests to experience a variety of delicious pizza and Italian food, With Mark’s passion for food and commitment to making LaRosa’s the best it can be, it’s a winning recipe” said Michael LaRosa, CEO, LaRosa’s, Inc.

LaRosa’s was founded in 1954 in Cincinnati by Buddy LaRosa.  It is now a $130 million restaurant company with 61 pizzerias serving neighborhoods throughout Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Southeastern Indiana and Dayton, Ohio.   

 

Papa Bello Reaches Milestone With Opening of 20th Franchise

Papa Bello Enterprises is pleased to announce that the company has reached a significant milestone this week with the opening of its 20th franchise restaurant, located in Boiling Springs, South Carolina. To date, the majority of the stores are located in the front entrances of Supercenter Wal-Marts. Continued growth is expected through the opening of additional Wal-Mart locations, in-line shopping centers, convenience stores, and other non-traditional venues.

Papa Bello Pizza restaurants are located in the following states: Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. In addition, plans for development are underway in Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Delaware, Georgia and even China.

The company also plans to have three locations outside of Wal-Mart in operation by the end of 2008.

Chase Canfield, CEO of Papa Bello Enterprises says: "This has been a very exciting year for Papa Bello. Over the past 12 months, we have bolstered our executive team, gone public, expanded into a new country, and built out numerous franchises. We're laying the foundation for decades of expansion ahead, both on a national and worldwide platform."

Founded in 2005, Papa Bello Enterprises is a Las Vegas, Nevada, based corporation that owns, operates and franchises Italian style eateries in the United States. The company currently has 20 stores in operation and has a master lease agreement with Wal-Mart.