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LEDO Pizza Opens 100th Location

LEDO Pizza Opens 100th Location

LEDO Pizza Opens 100th Location

Annapolis, MD  (RestaurantNews.com)  LEDO Pizza®, America’s first choice for square pizza, announced today the opening of its 100th store in West Springfield, Virginia. The newest location is located at 8324 Old Keene Mill Road, West Springfield, VA.

On the heels of winning the “Best Pizza in Washington, DC” by readers of the Washington City Paper, LEDO Pizza® is poised for further growth nationally and to set itself apart from larger international pizza players. “We are extremely excited about this milestone in our 56 year history,” says James Beall, LEDO Pizza® President. “We are truly committed to making great fresh pizzas for the communities that we serve.”

The newest LEDO Pizza® will feature a large, family friendly dine-in area that seats 72 people and can accommodate large parties with 20 to 40 guests. It also features a full-service Back Bar Pub that will offer over 30 craft, imported and American beers along with wines and cocktails. The menu includes a large variety of fresh pizzas, salads, pastas, subs, strombolis and more.

Headquartered in Annapolis, Md., LEDO Pizza® is thriving and continues to be a leader in the fresh made pizza industry with 100 locally owned locations. LEDO Pizza® has a prominent presence in the Mid-Atlantic region and is expanding to other markets nationally.  For more information, please visit http://www.ledopizza.com.

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RestaurantNews.com has been providing the latest online restaurant news for over twelve years.  RestaurantNews.com offers press release services and exposure for restaurant owners and operators looking to market their restaurants.  For diners, RestaurantNews.com offers current and upcoming restaurant deals, specials and promotions.  For more information, please visit http://www.restaurantnews.com/press-release/.

CPK hosts anniversary fundraiser to benefit Make-A-Wish® Georgia and Alabama

Make-A-Wish Joins California Pizza Kitchen in Celebrating 25 Years

Make-A-Wish Joins California Pizza Kitchen in Celebrating 25 Years

Atlanta, GA  (RestaurantNews.com)  California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is excited to invite Atlantans to celebrate the restaurant’s Silver Anniversary at Lenox Square, the store’s first location outside of California, on Monday, April 16. To toast 25 great years of California-style pizza in “Hotlanta,”CPK is hosting a special opportunity for the Make-A-Wish Georgia and Alabama Chapter, donating 25% of sales from the Lenox location to the organization.  Party guests will witness history in the making as long time CPK partner, Kenny’s Great Pies, presents its 1 millionth Key Lime Pie to the Lenox CPK team. CPK put Kenny’s Great Pies on the map when they introduced the brand as a bakery partner in 1991, and the pies have become a staple on the menu over the past 20 years.

WHEN:
Monday, April 16
11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.WHERE:
CPK at Lenox Square Mall
3393 Peachtree Road, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30326
Lower level, across from Bloomingdale’s

About Make-A-Wish®

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.  With the help of generous donors and over 30,000 volunteers worldwide, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the world every 23 minutes and has granted over 280,000 wishes since its inception in 1980.  The Georgia and Alabama Chapter of Make-A-Wish has granted over 5,000 wishes locally and has over 800 children waiting for their most heartfelt wishes to come true.  To learn more, visit www.ga-al.wish.org and connect with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/makeawishgaal and Twitter @MakeAWishGA.

About California Pizza Kitchen

Born in Beverly Hills in 1985, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is a leader in authentic California style cuisine and is widely known for its innovative menu items. California Pizza Kitchen provides a range of creative dishes, from signature California-style hearth-baked pizzas, creative salads, pastas, soups and sandwiches. A SoCal classic, CPK incites international cravings in over 10 different countries. For more information on California Pizza Kitchen visit www.cpk.com. Follow them on Twitter @calpizzakitchen and like on Facebook at www.facebook.com/californiapizzakitchen.

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RestaurantNews.com has been providing the latest online restaurant news for over twelve years.  RestaurantNews.com offers press release services and exposure for restaurant owners and operators looking to market their restaurants.  For diners, RestaurantNews.com offers current and upcoming restaurant deals, specials and promotions.  For more information, please visit http://www.restaurantnews.com/press-release/.

Incredible Pizza San Antonio Reports Incredible 2nd Quarter

Incredible Pizza San Antonio Reports Incredible 2nd Quarter

Springfield, MO  (RestaurantNews.com)  America’s Incredible Pizza Company, a family entertainment center with nine locations nationwide and two in Mexico, is reporting strong second quarter numbers for its San Antonio location, promising news for the family-friendly pizza chain and the city’s economy.

Incredible Pizza San Antonio, which has been in business since 2007, reported a 11.3 percent year-to-date increase over 2011,  increases in customer count, and an astonishing 23 percent increase in March 2012 as compared to March 2011.

“San Antonio’s numbers look great so far this year, and we’re really excited about what 2012 holds for Incredible Pizza,” said Mark Eastin, COO of Incredible Pizza. “I think we’re seeing indications that the recession is finally starting to soften. Families have room in the budget to go out more, and Incredible Pizza is one of those places the entire family can go and have a great time.”

According to Eastin, who has been in the restaurant business for over 10 years, the primary indicator is that IPC’s solid numbers aren’t isolated to the San Antonio location.

“All of the Incredible Pizza stores are doing well financially. Our San Antonio, Tulsa and Memphis stores, in particular, have had outstanding years so far,” Eastin said. “That’s a great sign that the economy is improving nationwide.”

About Incredible Pizza Company

Headquartered in Springfield, MO, with nine locations nationwide and two in Mexico, America’s Incredible Pizza Company includes an all-you-can-eat, high quality food and pizza buffet, themed dining areas, private party rooms for kids birthday parties, and a “fairgrounds” fun center loaded with games, rides and attractions for family members of all ages. IPC’s Family Entertainment Centers range in size from 27,000 square feet to 78,000 square feet.

From the ’50s music in the parking lot to the classic ’57 Chevy just inside the doors, Incredible Pizza Company is an upbeat Rockin’ Rollin’ Family Entertainment Center with enough energy to get you dancing and singing the oldies!  You can find more information at IncrediblePizza.com or find us on Facebook.

Contact
Tony Iaguessa
Marketing
Incredible Pizza Company
4178901408
marketing@incrediblepizza.com

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RestaurantNews.com has been providing the latest online restaurant news for over twelve years.  RestaurantNews.com offers press release services and exposure for restaurant owners and operators looking to market their restaurants.  For diners, RestaurantNews.com offers current and upcoming restaurant deals, specials and promotions.  For more information, please visit http://www.restaurantnews.com/press-release/.

Incredible Pizza Company sees healthy 2012 growth in Tulsa

Economic Upswing? Business Booming for Tulsa Restaurant

Economic Upswing? Business Booming for Tulsa Restaurant

Tulsa, OK  (RestaurantNews.com)  The restaurant business is booming in Tulsa, or at least that’s the case for America’s Incredible Pizza Company, a family entertainment center with nine locations nationwide and two in Mexico. The family-friendly store released several positive figures this week for its Tulsa, Oklahoma store.

IPC reported a nine percent increase for March 2012 compared to March 2011; a 15 percent year-to-date increase from 2011; an increase in overall customer count; and last month also produced Tulsa’s most profitable single day on record.

Whether it’s a sign of economic recovery, a reflection of Incredible Pizza’s reputation for pizza, games and family atmosphere, or a combination of both, remains to be seen.

“We are cautiously optimistic of an economic recovery. Our numbers are looking very promising so far in 2012,” said Mark Eastin, COO of Incredible Pizza Company. “Customers seem to have a little extra room in the budget, and they are really taking advantage of the food, games and overall family fun they can find at Incredible Pizza.”

IPC said it’s seeing these positive figures at several of its store locations. Eastin, who has over 10 years of restaurant experience, notes that Incredible Pizza’s numbers are a good sign for the economy as a whole.

“We offer great deals so families can come in and have a wonderful time together, and if the economy is improving enough to where families can afford to do that on a more regular basis, it’s a good sign for everybody.”

About Incredible Pizza Company

Headquartered in Springfield, MO, with nine locations nationwide and two in Mexico, America’s Incredible Pizza Company includes an all-you-can-eat, high quality food and pizza buffet, themed dining areas, private party rooms for kids birthday parties, and a “fairgrounds” fun center loaded with games, rides and attractions for family members of all ages. IPC’s Family Entertainment Centers range in size from 27,000 square feet to 78,000 square feet.

From the ’50s music in the parking lot to the classic ’57 Chevy just inside the doors, Incredible Pizza Company is an upbeat Rockin’Rollin’ Family Entertainment Center with enough energy to get you dancing and singing the oldies! You can find more information at IncrediblePizza.com or find us on Facebook.

Contact
Tony Iaguessa
Marketing
Incredible Pizza Company
417-890-1408
marketing@incrediblepizza.com

RestaurantNews.com

RestaurantNews.com has been providing the latest online restaurant news for over twelve years.  RestaurantNews.com offers press release services and exposure for restaurant owners and operators looking to market their restaurants.  For diners, RestaurantNews.com offers current and upcoming restaurant deals, specials and promotions.  For more information, please visit http://www.restaurantnews.com/press-release/.

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers Opening in Southlake, Texas

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers Opening in Southlake, Texas

Southlake, TX  (RestaurantNews.comMellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers will be opening Southlake, Texas, on Monday, April 16th. This Mellow is located at 2820 E. Southlake Blvd., in the Gateway Shopping Center, within miles of the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.

Owners Jim AuBuchon and Fred Buttrell are thrilled to bring Mellow Mushroom to the city of Southlake. “Southlake is a family-oriented community, and Mellow has something to offer for all ages. We are thrilled to bring in such a unique concept, menu and design to this community,“ states AuBuchon.

Mellow Mushroom puts a modern twist on traditional pizza making. The menu features a variety of unique pizzas, hoagies, salads, calzones and appetizers, using only the highest quality ingredients. The wide variety of options offered to guests also includes vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and kid friendly selections.

Each Mellow is designed as a unique art-filled environment. Adding to the experience at this location is a Coca-Cola themed patio pavilion, a VW Bus for customers to dine in and enjoy their Mellow experience, and a three-dimensional VW Bus flying out of the wall in the bar area.
Another important feature is a full service bar with a wide array of liquor, craft beer and wine options. Guests who join the Mellow Mushroom beer club receive members-only rewards as they enjoy their way through all 85 beers. All week long you can catch great deals during Happy Hour from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday-Friday.

This location is open 7 days a week, Sunday-Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Thursday- Saturday, 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. For more information on Mellow Mushroom Southlake, visit http://www.mellowmushroom.com and follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/SouthlakeMellowMushroom.

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers (http://www.mellowmushroom.com) was founded in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia. This franchise collection, operated under Home-Grown Industries of Georgia, Inc., is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. For 37 years, Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers has been serving up fresh stone baked pizzas to-order in an eclectic, art-filled and family-friendly environment. Each Mellow is locally-owned and operated with a unique feel focused around great customer service and high quality food.

RestaurantNews.com

RestaurantNews.com has been providing the latest online restaurant news for over twelve years.  RestaurantNews.com offers press release services and exposure for restaurant owners and operators looking to market their restaurants.  For diners, RestaurantNews.com offers current and upcoming restaurant deals, specials and promotions.  For more information, please visit http://www.restaurantnews.com/press-release/.

Pizza Occasions Grow with Key Sales Drivers Including Innovation, Convenience and Versatility, Finds Technomic

Pizza Occasions Grow with Key Sales Drivers Including Innovation, Convenience and Versatility, Finds Technomic

Chicago, IL  (RestaurantNews.com)  Pizza consumption continues to rise. More than four in 10 (41 percent of) consumers polled say they’re now eating pizza once a week, compared to 26 percent just two years ago. Pizza consumption has increased over the past two years as leading players revamp menus to include more innovative specialty pizzas, gourmet ingredients and items beyond pizza that help operators drive traffic. As increased consumer confidence leads some to trade up within the pizza category, others still feeling the pinch are attracted to the special offers and coupons that chains are rolling out as well as generally less expensive, yet high quality, take-and-bake and frozen pizza offerings.

“Consumers increasingly view pizza as the ‘go-to’ food when they don’t feel like cooking,” says Technomic Executive Vice President Darren Tristano.”Operators can emphasize convenience in their marketing message, positioning pizza as an easy, convenient and affordable meal solution that will appeal to an entire group or family. It’s a message that resonates with many customers.”

To help operators and others aligned with the foodservice industry more effectively identify opportunities for growth and gain a competitive advantage, Technomic has developed the Pizza Consumer Trend Report.

Interesting findings include:

  • Combo-meat varieties and calzone-style stuffed pizzas stand out as growth areas at LSRs. At FSRs, there has been slight growth in the number of veggie/garden and combo-meat pizzas.
  • Chicken’s adaptability contributes to its widespread use as the top listed protein topping in the full-service segment and third most-frequently listed protein in limited-service, largely due to barbeque and Buffalo chicken varieties.
  • The latest menu trends call for authenticity, from Neapolitan, Sicilian and other regional Italian interpretations, to depth-of-flavor preparations, such as hearth-baked, wood-fired, coal and brick-oven cooking.
  • 37 percent of respondents order pizza from non-pizza limited-service and fast-casual restaurant locations once a month, signaling room for growth for these concepts and a potential threat for LSR pizza chains.
  • 49 percent of consumers are purchasing pizza from a grocery store once a month, making it the second leading foodservice source for pizza, surpassed only by LSR pizza restaurants (71 percent).
  • All foodservice pizza purchases have increased over the past two years, but carryout and dine-in pizza occasions have increased the most; 68 percent of consumers now order carryout pizza once a month or more, followed by 45 percent who say they order pizza for dine-in.

Technomic’s Pizza Consumer Trend Report assists foodservice executives in better understanding consumer behavior, preferences and attitudes regarding pizza. The Menu Insights section utilizes Technomic’s MenuMonitor online database to provide an in-depth look at how leading and emerging chain operators menu and position pizza. This section also explores menu trends at leading limited-service pizza chains. The Consumer and Retail Insights sections examine foodservice and frozen retail pizza consumption, purchasing decisions, attitudes and preferences based on survey results from 1,500 consumers. Additionally, data from Technomic’s 2008 and 2010 Pizza Consumer Trend Report is discussed throughout the report to provide a comparison benchmark for many menu and consumer trends.

To purchase or learn more about this report please visit Technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below.

Contacts

Press Inquiries: Darren Tristano, 312-506-3850, or dtristano@technomic.com
Purchasing Details: Patrick Noone, 312-506-3852, or pnoone@technomic.com
Report Details: Kelly Weikel, 312-506-3830, or kweikel@technomic.com

About Technomic

Technomic provides clients with the facts, insights and consulting support they need to enhance their business strategies, decisions and results. Its services include numerous publications and digital products, as well as proprietary studies and ongoing research on all aspects of the food industry.

RestaurantNews.com

RestaurantNews.com has been providing the latest online restaurant news for over twelve years.  RestaurantNews.com offers press release services and exposure for restaurant owners and operators looking to market their restaurants.  For diners, RestaurantNews.com offers current and upcoming restaurant deals, specials and promotions.  For more information, please visit http://www.restaurantnews.com/press-release/.

Domino’s nearly tripled number of participating schools in the past year

New Standards, No Problem! Domino's Smart Slice School Lunch Pizza Continues Growing, Meets New USDA Nutrition Guidelines

New Standards, No Problem! Domino's Smart Slice School Lunch Pizza Continues Growing, Meets New USDA Nutrition Guidelines

Ann Arbor, MI  (RestaurantNews.comDomino’s Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, continues growing and developing its Domino’s Smart Slice school lunch program, which meets the revised USDA nutrition standards for school lunch. The program has nearly tripled the number of participating schools in the past year.

Domino’s Smart Slice, when topped with lite mozzarella cheese, meets the USDA school lunch nutrition standards for calories, fat and sodium – with each slice featuring four grams of fiber, 24 grams of whole grains and an excellent source of calcium. Launched three years ago, and originally developed to meet possible adjustments to these standards, Domino’s Smart Slice participating schools will not need to make any changes to meet the updated guidelines.

The number of schools that now participate in the Domino’s Smart Slice program has increased from 1,100 schools in early 2011 to more than 3,000 schools across 37 states.

“We are excited about the success of Domino’s Smart Slice, and are proud to be providing a nutritious, great-tasting product that already meets the new federal guidelines,” said J. Patrick Doyle, Domino’s Pizza president and chief executive officer. “The feedback from school districts has been overwhelmingly positive – proven by the fact that we saw more than a 250 percent increase in the number of school districts participating in just one year.”

Through its partnership with Dairy Management Inc. and its nutrition arm, the National Dairy Council, Domino’s is committed to supporting active lifestyles in schools as a founding partner of the GENYOUth Foundation.

Domino’s will be donating $1 million to the GENYOUth Foundation over the next three years. Doyle is on the GENYOUth Foundation board of directors, and Russell Weiner, Domino’s Pizza chief marketing officer, has been tapped as a strategic marketing resource.

“GENYOUth inspires and educates youths to improve their nutrition and increase physical activity, and Domino’s Smart Slice is a perfect example of how food companies can formulate products to fit both healthy school nutrition standards and the taste preferences of students,” said Tom Gallagher, Chairman of the GENYOUth Foundation and CEO of Dairy Management Inc. “Cheese, and dairy in general, plays a key role in a healthy school day, and Domino’s is a valuable partner in our efforts.”

Among the many markets that have seen significant growth, Domino’s Smart Slice has been especially successful in the Granbury Public School District due to a 50 percent increase in the number of schools participating in the Domino’s Smart Slice program since January 2011.

“Pizza is without a doubt our students’ favorite food, and Domino’s Smart Slice allows us a more nutritious alternative,” said Alicia Hernandez, school nutrition director in Granbury, Texas. “In addition to assuring parents their children are getting the necessary nutrition, it is delicious, loved by students and already meets the nutrition standards – making Domino’s Smart Slice a great win-win for us.”

Freshly baked and delivered to schools, Domino’s Smart Slice features multiple nutritious ingredients like whole-grain crust, light mozzarella cheese, reduced sodium sauce and reduced fat, reduced sodium pepperoni. To be considered part of the Domino’s Smart Slice program, schools must purchase pizzas with whole-grain crust or lite mozzarella cheese.

For more information about Domino’s Smart Slice, visit www.schoollunch.dominos.com.

About Domino’s Pizza®

Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the recognized world leader in pizza delivery.  Domino’s is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “DPZ.”  As of the fourth quarter of 2011, through its primarily locally-owned and operated franchised system, Domino’s operated a network of 9,742 franchised and Company-owned stores in the United States and over 70 international markets.  Domino’s Pizza had global retail sales of over $6.9 billion in 2011, comprised of over $3.4 billion domestically and over $3.5 billion internationally.

In May 2011, Pizza Today named Domino’s its “Chain of the Year” for the second straight year – making the company a three-time overall winner, and the first pizza delivery company to receive the honor in back-to-back years.  In 2011, Domino’s was ranked #1 in Forbes Magazine’s “Top 20 Franchises for the Money” list.  Helped by the launch of its Domino’s Smart Slice school lunch pizza in late 2010, Domino’s is collaborating with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to serve healthier school foods and beverages in the United States.  In late 2009, Domino’s debuted its “Inspired New Pizza” – a permanent change to its hand-tossed product, reinvented from the crust up.

Order – http://www.dominos.com
Mobile - http://mobile.dominos.com
Info – http://www.dominosbiz.com
Twitter – http://twitter.com/dominos
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/Dominos

RestaurantNews.com

RestaurantNews.com has been providing the latest online restaurant news for over twelve years.  RestaurantNews.com offers press release services and exposure for restaurant owners and operators looking to market their restaurants.  For diners, RestaurantNews.com offers current and upcoming restaurant deals, specials and promotions.  For more information, please visit http://www.restaurantnews.com/press-release/.

Power Pizzeria Sells Franchises Right Out of the Gate; Fills Market Niche for Guilt-Free Pizza

Former DJ's Healthy Spin on Pizza Gets New Franchise Off to Powerful Start

Former DJ's Healthy Spin on Pizza Gets New Franchise Off to Powerful Start

Miami, FL  (RestaurantNews.com)  American consumers are starving for a healthier pizza that allows them to indulge without the guilt, and one passionate, hungry entrepreneur out of Florida has the ideal product, franchise model and market “power” to satisfy their craving.

In fact, after unveiling the Power Pizzeria franchise opportunity at the Miami Franchise Expo earlier this year, and offering samples of his whey protein-packed power dough and fresh all-natural ingredient toppings, EJ Martinez already has franchisees lined up to get a piece of the “next big thing” in the $30 billion pizza segment. Power Pizzeria is geared up to grow the franchise in the Southeast before expanding nationally and internationally over the next five years.

While the franchise opportunity may be new to market, Martinez has been perfecting the Power Pizzeria brand, products and business model for more than six years, with four corporate locations operating successfully in the South Florida market and another one soon to open in Brickell in downtown Miami. The first franchise location in Florida is scheduled to open this summer.

“U.S. consumers are becoming more aware and selective of their food choices,” Martinez said. “With Power Pizzeria, our goal is to offer people a pizza they feel good about eating. We’re providing a better alternative without sacrificing taste. We’re answering today’s consumer demands.”

With approximately three billion pizzas sold in the United States each year, Power Pizzeria is differentiating itself in the market with a ‘better for you pizza’ made with healthier ingredients. Whey protein is blended into dough made in-house and served fresh daily, while the sauce is organic and sugar-free. Pizza toppings are made with all-natural ingredients and include part skim mozzarella cheese, in-house, fresh cut vegetables and meat with no additives or fillers. The combination leaves consumers with a less greasy pizza and a much better and satisfied feeling afterwards.

“Everybody knows that `fat pizza feeling’ you get after chomping down a greasy pizza with high fat and sodium,” Martinez noted. “We like to say that our pizza makes people feel good before, during and after they eat it. They enjoy the taste, and they feel good about the choice they made. It’s feel good food.”

Power Pizzeria was founded in 2004 when Martinez, age 24 at the time, was coming home late after DJ’ing. Tired and hungry, he walked into a pizza place to grab a slice and overheard customers commenting on how bad they felt about cheating on their diets. He thought, “there has to be a better way to do this.” At 5:30 a.m. that morning, the idea for Power Pizzeria was born. With no experience in making pizza or operating a restaurant, Martinez struggled with his first pizza business, but then dedicated himself to learning about the pizza industry inside and out. He went to food expos, worked with consultants, read books and gained hands-on knowledge that helped him build up a successful brand.

“I didn’t have experience in the restaurant industry and we don’t expect our franchisees to, either,” he said. ”I’ve learned from trial and error and I’ve built training, purchasing and marketing systems that work. Getting in the ground floor means franchisees will have direct access to a full support staff and to me as the founder. My goal is to see them succeed and be efficient from day one.”

The Power Pizzeria business model offers carry out and delivery and a small, relaxing dining area within an 800-1,800 square-foot space. The music, furnishings and wall coverings all reflect the fun and healthy environment that reinforces the Power Pizzeria brand.

About Power Pizzeria

Founded by EJ Martinez in 2004, Miami-based Power Pizzeria serves a healthier pizza, made with Whey protein, organic sauce and all-natural ingredients. Dough is made in-house and served fresh daily. In addition, Power Pizzeria offers dine-in, delivery and carry out services for their pizza, baked chicken wings, fresh made-to-order salads, multigrain pastas, strombolis and calzones all made from their power dough. With four locations throughout Florida, and two more in development, the company has plans to expand across the country through franchising. For franchising opportunities, please contact franchising@powerpizzeria.com or visit http://powerpizzeria.com/franchise.html.

RestaurantNews.com

RestaurantNews.com has been providing the latest online restaurant news for over twelve years.  RestaurantNews.com offers press release services and exposure for restaurant owners and operators looking to market their restaurants.  For diners, RestaurantNews.com offers current and upcoming restaurant deals, specials and promotions.  For more information, please visit http://www.restaurantnews.com/press-release/.

Confident in Domino’s Artisan™ Pizza recipes, Domino’s tells customers no need for substitutions or additions

Domino's New Chicken & Bacon Carbonara Artisan Pizza

Domino's New Chicken & Bacon Carbonara Artisan Pizza

Ann Arbor, MI  (RestaurantNews.comDomino’s Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, is so confident in its Artisan Pizza recipes, it continues to push the boundaries of the industry’s tiresome advertising and is doing something it never would have imagined: telling customers “no.”

A new national campaign light-heartedly demonstrates the confidence Domino’s has in its Artisan Pizza recipes, and the importance of showing customers how special these four pizzas are – while debuting the latest flavor to its Artisan lineup: Chicken & Bacon Carbonara.

“We pride ourselves on saying ‘yes’ and giving people exactly what they want – especially considering there are more than 34 million ways to make a single Domino’s pizza,” said Russell Weiner, Domino’s Pizza chief marketing officer. “But our Artisan Pizza isn’t just any pizza – and what makes our four Artisan Pizza recipes special is that each was meticulously designed by our chefs to have the perfect balance of ingredients. If we put anything else on this pizza, it wouldn’t be Artisan.”

The Chicken & Bacon Carbonara is the first of Domino’s Artisan Pizzas to feature either topping – and boasts the hand-stretched dough and unique ingredients that those who didn’t think Domino’s could create a gourmet pizza have come to enjoy.

“While this latest of our many ‘Oh Yes We Did’ moments contains the word ‘no’ – we are confident that people will love these recipes as is,” said Weiner. “We hope they agree that when it comes to our Artisan Pizzas, ‘no is the new yes.’”

In addition, Domino’s will be giving away 75,000 Artisan Pizzas throughout four days beginning on Monday, April 9. The giveaway will be first come, first served – fans and consumers can find out more at facebook.com/dominos.

About Domino’s Pizza®

Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the recognized world leader in pizza delivery.  Domino’s is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “DPZ.”  As of the fourth quarter of 2011, through its primarily locally-owned and operated franchised system, Domino’s operated a network of 9,742 franchised and Company-owned stores in the United States and over 70 international markets.  Domino’s Pizza had global retail sales of over $6.9 billion in 2011, comprised of over $3.4 billion domestically and over $3.5 billion internationally.

In May 2011, Pizza Today named Domino’s its “Chain of the Year” for the second straight year – making the company a three-time overall winner, and the first pizza delivery company to receive the honor in back-to-back years.  In 2011, Domino’s was ranked #1 in Forbes Magazine’s “Top 20 Franchises for the Money” list.  Helped by the launch of its Domino’s Smart Slice school lunch pizza in late 2010, Domino’s is collaborating with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to serve healthier school foods and beverages in the United States.  In late 2009, Domino’s debuted its “Inspired New Pizza” – a permanent change to its hand-tossed product, reinvented from the crust up.

Order – http://www.dominos.com
Mobile – http://mobile.dominos.com
Info – http://www.dominosbiz.com
Twitter – http://twitter.com/dominos
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/Dominos

RestaurantNews.com

RestaurantNews.com has been providing the latest online restaurant news for over twelve years.  RestaurantNews.com offers press release services and exposure for restaurant owners and operators looking to market their restaurants.  For diners, RestaurantNews.com offers current and upcoming restaurant deals, specials and promotions.  For more information, please visit http://www.restaurantnews.com/press-release/.

Serves up Free Pizzas on New Whole Wheat Crust

Stevi B's Pizza Celebrates Fourth Annual Free Pizza Day on April 29

Stevi B's Pizza Celebrates Fourth Annual Free Pizza Day on April 29

Atlanta, GA  (RestaurantNews.com)  Stevi B’s Pizza, the industry’s only national premium pizza buffet restaurant, today announces its fourth annual Free Pizza Day on Sunday, April 29. The featured pizza for this year’s giveaway will be the brand’s most popular signature pizza, the Loaded Baked Potato served on the newly introduced whole wheat crust.

Beginning today, consumers are invited to visit Stevi B’s national Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SteviBsPizza to download a coupon for “1 Free Regular Whole Wheat To-Go Pizza” by entering their email address and the Stevi B’s location they visit most.  The offer can then be used at any time on April 29.

“The Loaded Baked Potato has been a customer favorite for over fifteen years now,” explains Allyson Smith, chief marketing officer for Stevi B’s Pizza.  “It is exciting to be providing a new version of this specialty pizza to meet consumers’ demand for healthier options.”

Stevi B’s expects to give away more than 20,000 coupons for free pizza to customers during this annual promotion.

About Stevi B’s Pizza

Stevi B’s Pizza, the industry’s only national “premium” pizza buffet restaurant franchise, was founded in 1996 in Atlanta and is currently owned by Argonne Capital, an Atlanta private equity firm focused on growing restaurant and retail companies into category leaders. Recognized as a Top Ten Franchise Deal by QSR Magazine and ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2012 Franchise 500, Stevi B’s Pizza is a rapidly-growing brand with a 20 percent annual growth rate and 45 locations throughout the United States. Recognized for serving the highest quality pizzas “made from scratch”, Stevi B’s is a family friendly, community-driven brand that offers a distinct menu of specialty pizzas such as the Loaded Baked Potato, Chicken Fajita, Cheeseburger  and Spinach Alfredo served fresh and at a great value in an atmosphere that is fun for adults and children. Follow Stevi B’s Pizza on twitter at www.twitter.com/stevibs or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SteviBsPizza.  For more information, visit www.SteviBs.com or contact Stevi B’s by e-mail at info@SteviBs.com.

RestaurantNews.com

RestaurantNews.com has been providing the latest online restaurant news for over twelve years.  RestaurantNews.com offers press release services and exposure for restaurant owners and operators looking to market their restaurants.  For diners, RestaurantNews.com offers current and upcoming restaurant deals, specials and promotions.  For more information, please visit http://www.restaurantnews.com/press-release/.

Pizzeria Bombola Burgers & Brews Serves Up a New Kind of Family-Friendly Dining in Lisle

Pizzeria Bombola Burgers & Brews Serves Up a New Kind of Family-Friendly Dining in Lisle

Lisle, IL  (RestaurantNews.com)  The greatly anticipated grand opening of Pizzeria Bombola Burgers & Brews on Thursday, March 29th, marked a refreshing change in the casual dining landscape prevalent in the western suburbs. Lisle Mayor Joe Broda, Lisle Chamber of Commerce President Tom Althoff and several chamber members attended in support of the village’s newest restaurant during the official ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday evening.

The completely renovated building has a contemporary, yet comfortable feeling. The service is efficient, without being overbearing and the mood is festive.

Unlike the classic pub and pizzeria fare offered by its competition, Bombola’s menu focuses on flavorfully-inspired thin-crust pizzas made from scratch with only the freshest ingredients, refreshing entrée salads and some surprising twists on the traditional fare. They also have a variety of burgers and add-ons from their Burger Bar. In addition to their half pound Angus burger, they also have a homemade turkey burger, an Alaskan salmon burger and are the first restaurant in the western suburbs to offer an unbelievably juicy “melt in your mouth” burger from Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors in New York.

The menu offers delicious vegetarian and gluten-free options, as well. Their full selection of craft brews, on draft or by the bottle, wines by the glass and a variety of flavorful spiked milkshakes and floats are sure to please any palate.

“We want people to leave their worries at the door, relax and enjoy themselves when they dine with us,” owner John Skoubis commented.

Another truly unique offering allows patrons to order six packs of beer and bottles of wine at competitive liquor store pricing with their take-out orders – a perfect pick-up for summer barbeques and parties.

Outdoor dining on the patio is available during the summer months and the restaurant also has a private party room which can accommodate up to 90 people for special occasions and corporate events.

“The owners and Chef Dino Benzanes put an extraordinary amount of effort into selecting the highest quality products, from the homemade dough and sauces to the large selection of craft brews and wines which complement the cuisine,” said the managing director of Kalkounos Consulting who directed staff training and advised on matters of operations.

Pizzeria Bombola Burgers & Brews

Cuisine Type: Family-focused casual American made with the highest quality freshest ingredients.

Location: 2901 Ogden Ave., Lisle, IL 60532

Phone: 630.922.4100

Web: http://pizzeriabombola.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pizzeria-Bombola/298134433548070

RestaurantNews.com

RestaurantNews.com has been providing the latest online restaurant news for over twelve years.  RestaurantNews.com offers press release services and exposure for restaurant owners and operators looking to market their restaurants.  For diners, RestaurantNews.com offers current and upcoming restaurant deals, specials and promotions.  For more information, please visit http://www.restaurantnews.com/press-release/.

Grand Prize Winner Will Score a Trip for Two to Atlanta for a Coca-Cola® NASCAR VIP Experience

Coca-Cola and NASCAR Rev Up the Fun With an Instant Win Game & Sweepstakes at Pizza Inn

Coca-Cola and NASCAR Rev Up the Fun With an Instant Win Game & Sweepstakes at Pizza Inn

The Colony, TX  (RestaurantNews.com)  Calling all NASCAR® fans. Coca-Cola® and Pizza Inn®, the international pizza chain of Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI), are revving up the fun with the Coca-Cola® and Pizza Inn® NASCAR® Instant Win & Sweepstakes.

Now through May 27, Pizza Inn fans are invited to visit www.cokeplaytowin.com/pizzainn to enter the grand prize sweepstakes and to play an instant win match game. The instant win game can be played each day for over 300 additional prizes including Pizza Inn Pizza Cards and Coca-Cola/Pizza Inn Racing Prize Packs.

The grand prize winner will receive VIP treatment with a trip for two to Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 30 – Sept. 3, with airfare, hotel accommodations and transportation to and from track events at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The grand prize winner and a guest will also be treated to a number of additional one of a kind VIP events, including:

  • Attend a special Dinner with appearances from members of The Coca-Cola Racing Family
  • Meet all members of The Coca-Cola Racing Family
  • Hot Lap rides with a member of The Coca-Cola Racing Family at Atlanta Motor Speedway
  • Tickets to the Saturday Nationwide Series event & the Sunday Sprint Cup Series event
  • Receive passes for Coca-Cola trackside hospitality & Race Day Show with appearances from members of The Coca-Cola Racing Family
  • Receive admission to World of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Place® & the Georgia Aquarium

“We are always looking for an exciting way to thank our loyal customers,” said Charlie Morrison, president and CEO of Pizza Inn Holdings. “This partnership with Coca-Cola® is the perfect adventure for our customers—instant wins every day and a grand prize that is an unforgettable experience!”

No purchase is required to enter or win, and the grand prize winner will be selected after May 27 from all entries received. Race fans can learn more about the sweepstake at www.facebook.com/pizzainn.

About Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc.

Headquartered in the Dallas suburb of The Colony, TX, Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc., is an owner, franchisor and supplier of a system of restaurants operating domestically and internationally under the trademarks “Pizza Inn” and “Pie Five Pizza Co.” Pizza Inn is an international pizza chain featuring traditional and specialty pizzas, as well as freshly made pastas, sandwiches, and desserts. Pie Five Pizza Co. is a new fast-casual concept offering individual pizzas made to order and cooked in less than five minutes. Founded in 1958, publicly traded Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI) franchises approximately 300 restaurants and directly owns and operates 10 restaurants. For more information, please visit www.pizzainn.com.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world’s most valuable brand, our Company’s portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of more than 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system employees. For more information, please visit www.thecoca-colacompany.com or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo.

Pie Five Celebrates Sixth Opening in Dallas-Fort Worth;

Five Lucky Guests to Win Free Pies for a Year

Pie Five Pizza Co. Now Open in Carrollton

Pie Five Pizza Co. Now Open in Carrollton

The Colony, TX  (RestaurantNews.com)  Pie Five Pizza Co., a subsidiary of Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI), today announced its sixth restaurant is now open at 3400 E. Hebron Parkway on the corner of Midway and Park, in Carrollton, Texas.

To celebrate the new opening, Pie Five is offering guests the opportunity to register to win free pizza for a year at www.piefivepizza.com.

“Pie Five has created a new way to experience pizza, and our guests love it,” said Charlie Morrison, president and CEO of Pizza Inn Holdings. “There’s been a tremendous demand from our Dallas-Fort Worth fans, and we’re proud to introduce our newest location in Carrollton.”

The new Pie Five is more than 2,000 square feet with seating for 69 guests and features dine-in and carry-out service.

Pie Five Pizza has grown to six locations in nine months. The rapidly expanding fast-casual chain will mark its first anniversary this June.

The Pie Five menu gives customers the option of choosing any sauce and fresh topping combinations or one of 12 specialty pies on the menu, assembled before them on a 9-inch Crispy Thin or Classic Pan crust, baked and ready to eat in less than five minutes.

Guests can enter to win free Pie Five for a year now through April 13. Five winners will be announced the week of April 16.

A complete menu and more information on Pie Five™ restaurants is available at www.piefivepizza.com. The company is also on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/PieFivePizza) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/PieFivePizza).

About Pie Five Pizza Co.

Pie Five Pizza Co. is a subsidiary of Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. Headquartered in the Dallas suburb of The Colony, Texas, Pizza Inn Holdings also oversees Pizza Inn, Inc., an international pizza chain with restaurants featuring traditional and specialty pizzas, as well as freshly made pastas, sandwiches, and desserts. Founded in 1958, publicly-traded Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI) franchises approximately 300 restaurants and directly owns and operates 10 restaurants. More information is available at www.pizzainn.com.

Tony C's Coal Fired Pizza Introduces Left-Handed Pizza for the Lefty Community of Austin This Sunday, April 1st

Tony C's Coal Fired Pizza Introduces Left-Handed Pizza for the Lefty Community of Austin This Sunday, April 1st

Austin, TX  (RestaurantNews.com)  In an effort to increase sales by 15 percent, Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza, Austin’s Original Coal Fired Pizza, today announced that it will target the 15 percent of the often left out left-handed community of Austin by introducing the left-handed pizza available beginning this Sunday. According to Scientific American, about 15 percent of the world’s population is left-handed.

Tony C’s will ensure that its left handed guests have the option of left-handed pizza and that all condiments at their tables are set in a way that will be left-handed friendly. Tony C’s will also top the left-handed  pizzas counter-clockwise to ensure there is more sauce and toppings for guests who are left-handed when they take their first bite.

“We believe that the first bite of pizza is the most important and memorable. Currently our left- handed guests are being shortchanged on their first bite. We have found that when the sauce and toppings are applied clockwise the first bite taken by left hand yields less toppings,” said Tony Ciola, owner of Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza. “The southpaw community is an underserved demographic in Austin.”

All right-handed and ambidextrous guests who prefer easing into the flavors may also order the left handed pizza beginning this Sunday.

About Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza

Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza is the original coal fired pizza restaurant in Austin. It offers a full menu of Italian dishes from antipasti, salads, entrees and desserts along with a large selection of wine. For the latest updates, “like” Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza at http://facebook.com/tonycspizza, or follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tonycspizza. More information can be found at http://tonycs.com.

Media Contact:
Joe Vasquez
VASQ PR
201.889.3340
joe@vasqpr.com

NPC International, Inc. Announces Closing of Successful Term Loan Refinancing

NPC International, Inc. Announces Closing of Successful Term Loan Refinancing

Overland Park, KS  (RestaurantNews.com)  NPC International, Inc. (the “Company”) today announced that it has refinanced its outstanding $375 million term loan, availing itself of favorable market conditions and leveraging the Company’s strong close to fiscal 2011. The refinancing resulted in a 125 basis point reduction in the spread over LIBOR on the Company’s term loan borrowings and lowered the term loan LIBOR floor by 25 basis points. At prevailing LIBOR rates this action serves to reduce annual interest expense by approximately $5.6 million. The Company paid a soft call premium, in accordance with the terms of its Credit Agreement, plus transaction related expenses totaling approximately $4.9 million to effectuate the refinancing. No other changes were made to the Company’s senior credit facility in the refinancing.

Jim Schwartz, Chairman and CEO of NPC International, Inc., said, “We are pleased with the results of the term loan refinancing effort as the reduction in interest cost will meaningfully increase our free cash flow, thereby further improving the Company’s already strong deleveraging profile.”

Barclays and Goldman Sachs Bank USA served as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners for the transaction.

NPC International, Inc. is the world’s largest Pizza Hut franchisee and currently operates 1,187 Pizza Hut restaurants and delivery units in 28 states.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this news release that do not relate to historical or current facts constitute forward-looking statements. These include statements regarding our plans and expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. NPC’s actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including adverse changes in credit markets, lower than anticipated consumer discretionary spending; deterioration in general economic conditions; competition in the quick service restaurant market; adverse changes in food, labor and other costs; price inflation or deflation; adverse changes in the credit markets; and other factors. These risks and other risks are described in NPC’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made prior to its termination of voluntary reporting with the SEC in 2012, including NPC’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Copies of these filings may be obtained by contacting NPC. All forward-looking statements made in this news release are made as of the date hereof. NPC does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstances. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

This press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to buy or sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities.

Nation’s #1 Latino Pizza Brand Continues West Coast Expansion

Pizza Patron Opens New Store in Atwater, California

Pizza Patron Opens New Store in Atwater, California

Atwater, CA  (RestaurantNews.com)  California Brand Development has opened a new Pizza Patrón, the nation’s #1 Latino pizza brand, at 1847 Bellevue Road. This continues the partners’ development of the I-99 corridor with plans for 20 store openings within 48 months.

The store is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Call-in orders can be placed by dialing 209-357-9191.

“We are excited to be here and look forward to introducing the brand and its amazing food and unbeatable prices to the community,” said Dave Early, a partner with California Brand Development. “Our promise is ‘Más Pizza. Menos Dinero®.’ and we keep that real every day.”

Pizza Patrón makes its signature dough from scratch in every store daily. The pizza sauce starts with fresh-packed, crushed Roma tomatoes and marinates for at least 24 hours with the company’s secret blend of spices and herbs. The Atwater store will feature fountain service and will be market testing the company’s new ‘La Lonchera’ pizza by the slice program. Some of the menu items the new store will feature include large lista (ready, no waiting) pepperoni pizzas for $4.99 every day, QuesoStix™, Fiesta Wings™, Patrón Dips™ and large specialty pizzas like ‘La Toluqueña’ (pepperoni, ham & chorizo) starting at $6.99 every day.

“Atwater’s populations is 47.1 percent Hispanic, a Latino majority, and a perfect fit for our brand. We feel honored for the privilege to expand into this area and the opportunity to serve the Atwater community,” said Andrew Gamm, brand director for Pizza Patrón.

Pizza Patrón is headquartered in Dallas with 102 locations in 7 states and more than 80 under development, the company locates in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods. Franchise opportunities, offering a proven system for hard-working franchisee candidates, are available in prime Hispanic markets throughout the country.

A typical Pizza Patrón is a carry-out location with a footprint of about 1,200 square feet. Pizza Patrón also has branded restaurant models for any real estate option including inline drive-thru, dine-in or carry-out models as well as non-traditional sites like airports and campuses.

Pizza Patrón units will require an all-in investment of $199,300 to $464,000 per store with a franchise fee of $20,000.

About Pizza Patrón

Since 1986, Pizza Patrón has been committed to making its promise of “Más Pizza. Menos Dinero.®” a reality for every customer. From the beginning, the brand has been recognized for its ‘fresh-dough’ pizza, its low prices and its trademark “friendly, bicultural service.” In 2007, the company drew international media attention when it decided to accept Mexican Pesos at all of its restaurants, gaining over 500 million media impressions in the U.S. alone. Today, Pizza Patrón is the nation’s premier Latino pizza brand and remains dedicated to bringing its unique experience to life with every pizza made, and in every community it serves.

Website – www.pizzapatron.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pizzapatron
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/pizzapatron

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers Opening in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on March 26th

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers Opening in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on March 26th

Bowling Green, KY  (RestaurantNews.comMellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is proud to announce their newest opening in Bowling Green, K.Y., on Monday, March 26th. This Mellow is located at 1035 Chestnut Street, directly across from The Brickyard.

Owner Bob Holderfield is thrilled to bring Mellow to the downtown area. “It has always been a dream to open a Mellow in the downtown market, while incorporating an under-used space and developing it into a highly attractive concept for the community,” states Holderfield.

The menu features a variety of pizzas, hoagies, salads, calzones and appetizers, only using the highest quality ingredients. Options for vegetarians, vegans, kids, and those on a gluten-free diet are also available.

Each Mellow is designed in a unique art-filled environment. Holderfield describes, “The exterior of the white building is painted with a multi-color sound wave with a Rock and Roll theme, which previews the electrifying feel that you will experience once you enter the restaurant.” Some of the incredible pieces of art include:

  • The world’s largest man-made mushroom standing 32 feet tall and spanning more than half of the main dining room
  • Three-dimensional guitar vortex sculpture wrapping the open kitchen concept
  • Backlit letters from the covers of Classic Rock album covers
  • Large mural in the bar inspired by a Steve Miller Band concert poster from the late 60’s

This Mellow has something for everyone, including a private dining room and a seasonal patio with a fire pit. These are just a few details which enhance the warm, welcoming and family friendly environment that Mellow has to offer.

To complement the dining experience there is a full service bar with a great variety of craft beers, wine and cocktail options. Adventurous guests can join the Mellow Mushroom Beer Club and taste their way through 100 beers, receiving exciting members-only rewards along the way. The lively bar will feature trivia night, live music on the weekends and sporting events on 8 flat screen TVs.

The Mellow Mushroom will operate 7 days a week Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information on Mellow Mushroom Bowling Green, visit http://www.mellowmushroom.com and follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MellowMushroomBG.

About Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers was founded in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia. This franchise collection, operated under Home-Grown Industries of Georgia, Inc., is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. For 37 years, Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers has been serving up fresh stone baked pizzas to-order in an eclectic, art-filled and family-friendly environment. Each Mellow is locally-owned and operated with a unique feel focused around great customer service and high quality food.

Operators Recognized for Exemplifying Papa John’s Commitment to Superior-Quality and Customer Service

Papa John's Names 2011 Franchisees of the Year

Papa John's Names 2011 Franchisees of the Year

Louisville, KY  (RestaurantNews.com)  Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) today announced its 2011 Franchise Operators of the Year:

  • LMT Services, LLC, New Orleans: Hinkle Award (Domestic Small Group Franchisee of the Year, 1-3 restaurants): Kenyatta Ford-Theodore, Herb Theodore
  • PJ Cleveland West, LLC, Los Angeles: Domestic Medium Group Franchisee of the Year (4-10 restaurants): Abdi Neghabat, Rich Malekzadeh
  • Perfect Delivery, Greenville, NC: Domestic Large Group Franchisee of the Year (11 or more restaurants) – Bo Knapp
  • KSC Limited, United Kingdom: International Franchisee of the Year — Raheel Choudhary

Each of the Franchisee of the Year winners was honored at Papa John’s Annual Operators Conference with a $20,000 cash award and a crystal Papa John’s restaurant trophy. The winners were selected primarily for exemplifying Papa John’s commitment to serving a superior-quality pizza, world-class customer service and outstanding community involvement.

“Our winners do an outstanding job delivering on our ‘Better Ingredients, Better Pizza’ brand promise,” said John Schnatter, Papa John’s Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “These franchisees are excellent role models for the entire Papa John’s system, and it is an honor to recognize their efforts.”

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) is the world’s third largest pizza company. For 10 of the past 12 years, consumers have rated Papa John’s No. 1 in customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Papa John’s also was honored by Restaurants & Institutions Magazine (R&I) with the 2009 Gold Award for Consumers’ Choice in Chains in the pizza segment. Papa John’s is the Official Pizza Sponsor of the National Football League and Super Bowl XLVI and XLVII. For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Papa John’s at www.papajohns.com.

Stevi B’s Pizza Expanding in North Alabama

Stevi B's Pizza Expanding in North Alabama

Stevi B's Pizza Expanding in North Alabama

Atlanta, GA  (RestaurantNews.com)  Stevi B’s Pizza, the industry’s only national premium pizza buffet restaurant, is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement to develop four Stevi B’s Pizza locations in North Alabama with new franchisees and Huntsville area residents Jim King and Chris Hunter.

“We took an exhaustive look at the fast casual segment and specifically the highly competitive pizza category and agreed that Stevi B’s has the most business potential,” explains Jim King. “In addition to elevating the category with a better quality product and upscale atmosphere, we think Stevi B’s does an amazing job of endearing itself to the local community which is important to us.”

King and Hunter, who operate a wide variety of business throughout North Alabama, have signed a development agreement to open Stevi B’s Pizza restaurants in the areas of Madison, Huntsville, Decatur and Florence, which are estimated to create about 100 jobs in the region.

“We are excited about the business acumen and community insight that Jim and Chris bring as franchisees of Stevi B’s Pizza,” said Matthew Loney, president and CEO of Stevi B’s Pizza.

King and Hunter are expected to open their first Stevi B’s location in Madison, Ala. by the end of 2012, joining the existing Alabama locations in Gadsden and Fort Payne.

About Stevi B’s Pizza

Stevi B’s Pizza, the industry’s only national “premium” pizza buffet restaurant franchise, was founded in 1996 in Atlanta and is currently owned by Argonne Capital, an Atlanta private equity firm focused on growing restaurant and retail companies into category leaders. Recognized as a Top Ten Franchise Deal by QSR Magazine and ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2012 Franchise 500, Stevi B’s Pizza is a rapidly-growing brand with a 20 percent annual growth rate and 45 locations throughout the United States. Recognized for serving the highest quality pizzas “made from scratch,” Stevi B’s is a family friendly, community-driven brand that offers a distinct menu of specialty pizzas such as the Loaded Baked Potato, Chicken Fajita, Cheeseburger and Spinach Alfredo served fresh and at a great value in an atmosphere that is fun for adults and children. Follow Stevi B’s Pizza on twitter at www.twitter.com/stevibs or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SteviBsPizza. For more information, visit www.SteviBs.com or contact Stevi B’s by e-mail at info@SteviBs.com.

Flippers Pizzeria prepares to enter the Tampa market, expanding its current reach beyond Orlando, Florida.

Flippers Pizzeria Signs A Multi-Unit Operating Agreement To Enter The Tampa Market

Flippers Pizzeria Signs A Multi-Unit Operating Agreement To Enter The Tampa Market

Orlando, FL  (RestaurantNews.comOrlando pizza restaurant, Flippers Pizzeria, known for firing up fresh, handcrafted pizzas in their authentic brick-ovens, has successfully taken their 25-year-old concept to the national franchise arena, most recently, the Tampa pizza market.

Gerard Pickhardt, principal at Novita Tampa Bay, LLC, is leading the pizzeria’s entrance into the Tampa market. “The Tampa Bay market is perfect for this concept. We are excited about getting in on the ground floor with the Flippers franchise team. What is equally exciting is the quality, passion, integrity, charity and fun that are all part of the equation in this organization,” said Pickhardt.

Founded by Scott Kousaie and Todd Dennis in 1987, Flippers Pizzeria has become one of Central Florida’s favorite pizzerias. Since its inception, the mission of Flippers Pizzeria has always been to satisfy every customer through the company’s passion for the perfect pizza. Today, with eleven locations throughout Central Florida and new restaurants in the works, that commitment remains the same.

The team has created an environment that focuses on a culture of excellence, utilizing only the freshest ingredients, and pairing it with a rigorous quality control program.

“We firmly believe that we have what it takes to become a nationally recognized brand,” says co-founder, Scott Kousaie. According to Kousaie, the pizzeria has a product and a business model that fills a void in the industry. “It’s our goal to satisfy every customer through our passion for the perfect pizza while offering other great menu items that complement our brick oven specialty pizzas,” says Kousaie.

In addition to authentic brick-oven baked pizzas, a variety of appetizers, flatbreads, salads, pastas, and sandwiches round out the menu, offering a blend of traditional and healthy menu options. “Paired with beer and wine, the experience at Flippers is as diverse as the customer wants it to be,” says Kousaie. That experience also extends beyond the Flippers door. Customers have the option of enjoying fast, fresh carry out or delivery. They can also order online through the company’s website and soon–a new iPhone application.

Flippers selected Chute Gerderman, a prominent national branding and design firm to enhance the business’ corporate identity and interior design palette. The agency redesigned the Flippers logo, packaging, brand language, signage, and various graphic elements. Investing in this reputable brand-development company allowed executives to take the brand to a franchise market, which would promote brand consistency and ease of opening new locations.

Today’s interiors reflect the company’s “fresh, friendly, fun” manifesto. Bright, energizing colors cover the restaurant walls; large cans of tomatoes, framed artwork of fresh ingredients, bottles of extra virgin olive oil, and sleek directionals enhance the experience. Dark stained concrete floors, exposed ceiling beams, comfortable booths, high-top bar, and even a bright red, solid oak communal table have also been worked into the signature Flippers design.

The centerpiece of every Flippers restaurant is the brick oven cooking and prep area. It calls attention to the pizzeria’s signature Marsal brick ovens. This unique oven results in more evenly cooked pizzas that channel the rustic origins and traditions of old-world hearth ovens. The prep area also features a variety of fresh ingredients that are prepared daily.

Through the years, Flippers executives have continued to enhance the Flippers Pizzeria experience, which is rooted in attentive customer service and customer satisfaction. Today, that mission continues to be the inspiration behind multiple Flippers Pizzeria locations. Both new franchise and corporate stores have also been opened and many more are being planned to open in 2012.

“All senior management at Flippers Pizzeria were very forthright and credible throughout the entire process. In fact, everyone from the general managers to the servers and drivers are solid, hard working people. It became clear that the entire organization, from the very top on down, understands that ‘customer,’ is not just a word, it is lived every day,” said Pickhardt.

Combining a great customer experience with always-fresh, high-quality food items is one of the many key components to the success of the pizzeria, which is currently celebrating its 25th year in Central Florida.

About Flippers Pizzeria

“Fresh Honest Ingredients.” From authentic brick-oven baked pizzas and pastas, to handcrafted calzones and flatbreads, Flippers Pizzeria maintains consistency in taste and freshness. Customers have the option of enjoying a delicious Flippers meal in the comfortable, family-friendly environment of their restaurants or the convenience of pick-up and delivery services, as well as Orlando catering services. Flippers Pizzeria is one of the only delivery services offering the quality of authentic brick-oven-baked pizza. Online ordering is available. Follow Flippers Pizzeria on Facebook (facebook.com/flipperspizzeria) and Twitter (@flipperspizzaus).

Contact
Scott Kousaie
Flippers Pizzeria
407-938-9614
http://flipperspizzeria.com