October 19, 2009

Industry Headlines

Tutta Bella named a "Hot Concept"

Domino's Pizza last week announced results for the third quarter ended September 6, 2009. Domestic same-store sales were flat (company-owned units were down two percent, while franchised stores were up 0.3 percent), while international stores were up 2.7 percent. Net income as reported, however, was up 76.6 percent versus the prior year, thanks to Domino's aggressive measures towards lessening debt, improving operating margins and international store growth.

So far this year, Domino's has repurchased close to $161 million in principal amount of its long-term debt, according to a company-issued press release. As of the end of Q3 2009, Domino's had approximately $49 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents.

"We did a good job of anticipating the economic downturn in the U.S., and we cut costs before the economy weakened," says David A. Brandon, Domino's Chairman and CEO. "We have been intensely focused on controlled overhead spending throughout the past three years. As a result, we are now in a position to invest in our business; invest in our franchisees; invest in our marketing; invest in our technology; and expand our global footprint. We're making excellent progress ... and we're in a great position to take full advantage of all of the opportunities we will encounter when domestic consumer spending improves and we return to a more normalized economic environment."

 Papa John's partnering to promote TRANSFORMERS on DVD and        Blu-ray

CiCi's Pizza offering $4.99 buffet for two weeks

For two weeks only this month, Coppell, Texas-based CiCi's Pizza is offering its buffet at a discounted price of $4.99. According to a company-issued press release, the price will be even lower in a few select markets. The promotion ends on October 25.

"CiCi's Pizza has always provided great value for our guests, so this two week promotional pricing of $4.99 or less gives us a chance to speak to even more guests who may not have yet experienced their first 'Welcome to CiCi's,' " says Tom Koenigsberg, the buffet chain's chief marketing officer. "As the U.S. continues to climb out of a tough economic time, CiCi's is proud to offer a bit of relief to guests who want a great variety of food without taking a bite out of their wallet."

The buffet at CiCi's Pizza is 24 feet in length and features 18 different pizzas, as well as salad, pasta and dessert. Currently, CiCi's has nearly 650 restaurants in 32 states, including 13 carryout only locations.

Uno Chicago Grill feeds 20,000 in support of Autism Speaks

This past Sunday, October 18, Uno Chicago Grill fed nearly 20,000 walkers slices of pizza, Caesar salad and hot dogs in support of the Walk Now for Autism, an annual event hosted by the autism advocacy organization Autism Speaks.

Rick Hendrie, senior vice president of marketing at Uno Chicago Grill, says, "We're excited to be working with Autism Speaks in our home market of Boston for the fourth year. Recently, we've expanded that commitment to Autism Speaks in support of their New York City Walk. This year, our support will be duplicated at events in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago and Florida."

Uno Chicago Grill has approximately 200 locations in 28 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Honduras, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Pizza Inn opens new international location

Pizza Inn, the 310-store, $145 million pizza company based in The Colony, Texas, recently announced the opening of an international unit in Muscat, Oman. The full-service buffet is the company's second venture into the Middle Eastern country's marketplace — it opened a delivery/carryout unit in July of this year.

"We're excited about our continued expansion throughout the Sultanate of Oman as well as the entire Middle Eastern region," says Pizza Inn CEO Charlie Morrison. "It is a pleasure to provide our freshly made pizzas, pastas and other popular menu items to the local residents at affordable prices."

Pizza Inn has partnered with the United Food Company, a Saudi Arabia-based outfit that owns and operates Pizza Inn stores in Saudi Arabia and is actively pursuing other operating locations in the Middle East.

"In addition to the two new openings in Oman and the successful opening by United Food Group in Jeddah at the highly regarded King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, there have been three international openings since our fiscal year began in July 2009," says Madison Jobe, Pizza Inn's vice president of development. "We are excited to continue our aggressive growth internationally and anticipate our opening in Bangladesh, a first in the country, in the coming days."