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October 12, 2009

Industry Headlines

Papa John's store organizes drive for deployed soldiers

A Papa John's unit in Riverside, Ohio, is hosting a community drive this Saturday, October 17th, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. to benefit deployed soldiers. Dubbed "Operation Herobox," the event is meant to raise needed items for U.S. soldiers serving overseas. Customers are being asked to donate from a pre-made checklist of needed items (including things like batteries, wet wipes, nuts, non-perishable foods, etc.). In return, the Riverside Papa John's in the Airway Shopping Center will offer a large, one-topping pizza at a discounted rate of $7.99. In addition, the store will donate $1 of each pizza sold to herobox.org.

To add to the festivities, Hyman says fingerprint ID booths and temporary tattoo booths will be set up for children, while there will also be an appearance by the Cincinnati Reds' mascot, Mr. Redlegs. The Dayton Daily News and two local television stations have agreed to provide media coverage of the event, adds Hyman.

zpizza duo honored by Goodwill

Mark Weeter and Julie Kossak, co-owners of three zpizza locations in Phoenix, have been honored by Goodwill Industries of Central Arizona as the 2009 Employer of the Year. Through their restaurants, Weeter and Kossak have partnered with Goodwill for the last two years to provide employment to several individuals trained through the Goodwill training program.

Goodwill of Central Arizona, founded in 1947, is a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to serve people with disabilities or people who would otherwise face obstacles when entering the work force.

Weeter and Kossak opened their first zpizza location in Phoenix in 2004.

Nick-N-Willy's offers Halloween specials

Centennial, Colorado-based Nick-N-Willy's Pizza is celebrating October with the rollout of a Halloween Pumpkin Pizza. The new limited time offer, shaped like a pumpkin and decorated with toppings to resemble a Jack-o-Lantern, is priced at $11.99. Additionally, until October 31, customers can receive up to three Halloween Pumpkin Pizzas for just $5 each with the purchase of any large signature pizza.

Nick-N-Willy's is promoting the new special with coupons on its Web site, in-store materials and door hangers. To date, the company has 40 stores in 14 states. It hopes to expand to 150 units by 2012, according to a company-issued press release.

Romeo's announces restructuring

Romeo's Pizza founder and CEO Sean Brauser says recent growth has created the need for his company to restructure internally. As a result, Dale Kovalchik has been promoted to Vice President of Corporate Development. In that role, Kovalchik will coordinate all new store openings, both company-owned and franchised. He'll also develop systems and processes that are designed to increase productivity, controls and profitability for all Romeo's units.

Additionally, Rob Gligora has been promoted to Vice President of Operations. In that role, Gligora's primary responsibilities will be to manage the day-to-day operations of all company-owned and franchised stores, as well as grow sales and increase profitability for each unit.

"We are very excited for this announcement," says Brauser. "We believe that we have improved our company and brand immensely by these moves."

Marco's adds versatile menu item

Toledo, Ohio-based Marco's Pizza announced that it has added meatballs to its menu. The company plans to use the versatile item as a pizza topping, in a side platter, in subs and as sliders. After a year of testing, the meatballs are now available on Marco's menus nationwide.

"Marco's Pizza looks for ways to enhance our menu with products that make sense given the company's Italian roots," says CEO Jack Butorac. "Meatballs fit naturally with Marco's heritage, and we are excited to bring customers our take on this traditional favorite."

Marco's has more than 190 locations in 17 states.

Paisano's to begin franchising

Paisano's, a six-store gourmet pizza delivery company based in Centreville, Virginia, has announced that it will begin franchising in its home state.

"This marks the beginning of huge things for Paisano's," says CEO Fouad Qreitem. "It is with equal parts delight and anticipation that I make this announcement."

A total of 22 targeted locations in Northern Virginia have been identified by the newly formed Paisano's Franchise System, Inc. "The greater Washington, D.C. area is a highly desirable, comparatively stable marketplace with phenomenal demographics and a consistent pattern of growth," says Qreitem. "We can't wait to expand the Paisano's footprint."

To aid expansion, Paisano's has teamed with Franchise Consulting LLC. The Fairfax, Virginia-based firm has been tasked with growing Paisano's to 50 units over the next five years.

Pizza Fusion selects new point of sale provider

Florida-based Pizza Fusion, the eco-minded, organic pizza chain, has partnered with Revention for its point-of-sale needs. John J. Puidokas, Pizza Fusion's vice president of operations, says that, "We needed a way to drive our business by being able to look at and evaluate the numbers easily. Analyzing our numbers quickly allows us to make an immediate impact at the store level based on the necessary adjustments ... Revention has the capabilities that Pizza Fusion was looking for in a point-of-sale provider."