August 23, 2009
Industry Headlines
Aside from the critical topics you’ll find in the pages of our groundbreaking 09.09.09 issue of Pizza Today, we’re taking it a step further: if you’ve ever read a Pizza Today article and wondered what it’s actually like to watch Pat Bruno make fresh mozzarella or get one-on-one instructions from World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani on how to throw dough to increase your cash flow in-house, now’s your chance. We’re bringing today’s hottest industry consultants direct to your home or shop with original Web videos you can only find at www.pizzatoday.com. Once the September issue hits, you’ll be able to log online and watch videos that correspond with select articles.
Be sure to check out the September issue for your chance to step inside the pages of Pizza Today!
If you’re planning to attend International Pizza Expo next year in Las Vegas, Nevada, Pizza Expo's housing is officially open. The world's largest and oldest pizza tradeshow will be held March 2-4, 2010, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Visit the International Pizza Expo Web site for all the latest updates and news.
CiCi Enterprises, LP announced today that President Craig Moore will be retiring from his position after 17 years with the company. Moore will remain a significant owner in the company. CiCi’s Pizza also announced today that it has named an incoming chief executive officer, Michael R. Shumsky, most recently chief executive officer at La Madeleine Restaurant, Inc. Moore will stay on until the transition is complete.
Moore joined the company in 1992 as a restaurant manager, and worked his way into ownership and President in 2003. He has seen CiCi’s Pizza grow from 30 restaurants in one state with 17 franchisees to more than 650 restaurants in 32 states with 270 franchisees. Moore oversaw the company’s transition from a local group of restaurants to a national chain with restaurants from coast to coast that is emerging as a significant brand in the pizza segment.
“After almost 17 years, it is with mixed emotions that I have decided to step down from my day-to-day position at CiCi’s Pizza to pursue my long term personal goals,” said Moore. “I have been the luckiest guy in the industry to be able to work with the unbelievably talented team at CiCi’s Pizza and JMC. These professionals have wowed me time after time with their ability, work effort, and their whole-hearted belief and execution of a culture that has set this company apart from all others.”
“CiCi’s is an awesome company with great franchisees that deliver the brand’s industry-recognized ‘guest first service’ every day. During his tenure,” said Mr. Shumsky, “Craig and the management team have built a strong foundation and they have taken the company to a high operating level. I hear from people all the time how much they love the CiCi’s brand and how it consistently delivers on its ‘quality at a great value’ brand positioning. I look forward to working with this management team to serve our franchisees, WOW our guests and grow this great CiCi’s brand.”
Shumsky will be leaving La Madeleine Restaurant, Inc., a Dallas-based 62-unit country French Café restaurant chain operating in six states. Prior to La Madeleine, Shumsky was chairman and chief executive officer of the California based Johnny Rockets Group, Inc. which operated in 28 states and 8 countries where he grew the franchise system and improved operations which led the company to be awarded Nations Restaurant News “Hot Again” award. Shumsky also spent time as president of Sonic Restaurants and with Yum Brands at Taco Bell.
Founded in 1985, CiCi’s has grown to almost 650 restaurants in 32 states. In 2006, CiCi's introduced the carryout only To-Go restaurants with 13 operating in Texas, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma and California.
Papa John’s recently won the Gold Award in the pizza category in Restaurants & Institutions (R&I) 2009 Consumers’ Choice in Chains Awards. Papa John’s was the only national delivery and takeout pizza company honored in the survey.
"Through our ‘Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.’ brand promise, our focus has always been on giving our customers a superior-quality pizza," said John Schnatter, Papa John’s founder, chairman and chief executive officer. "We are honored that consumers recognize and appreciate the difference quality makes.”
In its 29th year, the R&I Consumers Choice in Chains Awards are based on consumer surveys among more than 3,000 chain-restaurant patrons. For each of the nearly 120 chains visited, respondents are asked to assess eight attributes that factor into the total dining experience: food quality; service; convenience; cleanliness; value; menu variety; atmosphere and reputation. Those chains with the top scores in each of 13 industry segments are named R&I’s Consumers’ Choice in Chains winners.
“This award recognizes the hard work of Papa John’s team members throughout the country who are passionate about what they do and committed to making and delivering the industry’s highest-quality pizza,” said Bill Mitchell, Papa John’s president, global operations. “I thank and congratulate our corporate and franchise operators for their dedication to our brand.”
Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John's is the world's third largest pizza company.
Austin, Texas-based Home Slice Pizza is heading to New York City this Labor Day.
When it comes to the craft of hand-tossed, NY-style pizza making, Home Slice’s owners, Jen and Joseph Strickland and Terri Hannifin, are just serious enough about the art that they take 25-plus employees to NYC each September. Why? So that the staff may experience for themselves the community and passion of Italian-American cooking, a ubiquitous part of the New York City landscape for over a hundred years and to introduce them to the bona fide culture and craft of making the classic pies that so inspire an entire city and beyond.
“Our staff is extremely dedicated to what they do, without doubt, but there is something inspiring about seeing how essential pizzerias are to the daily life of each New Yorker. There is a pizzeria on every block. Many have been there for several generations. It is a career to be proud of,” says Hannifin. “Every year we are welcomed with open arms by the Italian communities of all five boroughs.”
For many Home Slicers, this will be their first time in NYC, and their first time in a city with such a large Italian-American population. The experience will not only introduce them to the food, but the spirit and culture surrounding it. The past year trips have left an indelible impression on veteran staff members, and they have no problems going toe to toe with the New Yorkers that come into Home Slice and want to talk shop.
This year, the group will visit pizzerias and Italian eateries all over Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx. The goal is to eat at a variety of corner pizzerias and mom-and-pop sit down Italian restaurants. Stops this year include 15 pizzerias, two Italian restaurants, one classic New York deli and countless cheese shops, meat shops, “bagelries”, and knish shops.
Home Slice will re-open for business on Friday, September 11, 2009, with enthusiasm and renewed street cred.
Papa Murphy's International has announced that its continued track record of success has landed it on a prestigious national business index for the third year in a row. The take ‘n’ bake pizza pioneer improved its ranking by 25 spots on Inc. magazine’s annual Top 100 Food Beverage Companies list, in addition to significantly improving its placement on the Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies.
Papa Murphy's is regularly acknowledged by consumers nationwide for its excellence in value, quality, variety, service and convenience. The company currently operates franchised and corporate-owned stores in the U.S. and Canada and aims to open another 100 stores in 2009, according to CEO John Barr. “Six straight years of same-store-sales growth is proof that our brand appeal is as strong as it’s ever been. We’re proud to add this year’s Inc. award to our trophy case. Even in today’s tight credit environment, our growth is fueled by the fact that the initial investment into Papa Murphy’s franchise is lower and produces a higher return on investment than most chains in the industry,” he adds.
Papa Murphy's operates more than 1,150 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 32 states and Canada.