December 8, 2009
Industry Headlines
Hard Knox Pizzeria, based in Knoxville, Tennessee, has taken issue with the verbiage of a competitor and is filing a formal complaint with the state over it. Brixx Wood Fired Pizza, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, also does business in Knoxville and that company's presence has put Hard Knox co-owner Dean Bastian on the offensive.
According to Bastian, the words "Wood Fired" do not apply to the Brixx concept. Hard Knox contends that Brixx uses gas-fired ovens in the majority of its restaurants and that its advertisements are misleading.
"You can't claim you're 'wood-fired' if you are using gas as the main source of your combustion," argues Bastian.
Brixx, on the other hand, views the complaint as frivolous. Jeff Van Dyke, managing partner for Brixx Wood Fired Pizza, was quoted on Knoxville.com on December 4 as having issued this statement: "Brixx Wood Fired Pizza uses a wood-burning oven, which is ignited and temperature controlled by gas. The wood gives our pizza its great taste, while the gas maintains a consistent temperature."
Hard Knox has sent a 'Cease and Desist' demand to Brixx and will also file a formal complaint with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, according to a press release issued by the independent pizzeria.
"The issue that we are trying to create awareness around is Brixx's false claim of making wood-fired pizzas," contends Bastian. "Wood-fired pizzas can come from only a true wood-fired oven. Given Brixx's lack of action on our objections to its advertising, we are formally filing a complaint with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, as well as starting an ad campaign to highlight the issue."
Centennial, Colorado-based Nick-N-Willy's is unveiling a festive selection of gourmet pizza deals and menu specials to celebrate the holiday season. The company will distribute coupons to homes located near Nick-N-Willy's restaurants as well as make the specials available online. The coupons will be valid until January 31, 2010.
"At Nick-N-Willy's, we know this is a hectic and costly time of year for many of our customers, so we're pleased to be a able to offer special discounts for inexpensive and delicious meals at all of our restaurants," says company president Richard Weil.
The two-month promotion will offer $1 pizza, wings and dessert deals in addition to free breadsticks, wings and desserts with a minimum purchase, according to a Nick-N-Willy's press release. Additionally, a specially designed holiday menu is in restaurants and will be distributed directly to customers, along with door hangers that feature the coupons.
Papa Gino's recently raised $52,571 for the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation. The funds will support five "Football For You" clinics in Boston, Worcester and other New England cities during the summer of 2010. The goal of the program is to enable children to experience the sport of football in areas where opportunity to play football isn't always accessible.
"Papa Gino's is proud of its partnership with the New England Patriots and supports the great work that the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is doing throughout New England," says Papa Gino's CEO Rick Wolf. "Once again, our guests continue to impress us with their generosity and have enabled us to help the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation bring football to children throughout New England."
Ten-unit Flippin' Pizza celebrated the opening of its new Bethesda, Maryland location on December 3. The grand opening party featured free food and a first-slice cutting ceremony with local dignitaries. Customers visiting the Flippin' Pizza location at 10400 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda were given two extra large slices and a soda free of charge as a way to introduce them to the brand.
"We are so happy to bring our pizza to our new home in Bethesda," says Mike Brumagin, Flippin' Pizza's president. "Having recently been voted by readers of Washingtonian Magazine as the area's top pizza, we know our new neighbors will be excited to have Flippin' Pizza in the community."
Flippin' Pizza serves New York-style pizza and slices in its 10 California and Washington, D.C.-area locations.
Bob Kraut, former Vice President of Marketing Communications for Dallas-based giant Pizza Hut, has left the red-roof. With Pizza Hut since 2006, Kraut was responsible for ushering the chain into the social media era. But Pizza Hut's recent performance has raised alarms — its same-store sales plummeted 13 percent in the third quarter of this year. Pizza Hut won't comment on Kraut's exit, but an AdAge article dated December 2 says the marketing veteran "left to pursue other opportunities."
Morristown, New Jersey-based Villa Enterprises recently announced that it has taken over the operation and management of the entire food court at Sands Casino Bethlehem in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Sands turned over operations for the food court to Villa Enterprises, along with overall management responsibilities for the 5,700-square-foot space on November 1, according to a press release issued by Villa Enterprises.
"We are pleased Las Vegas Sands Corp. has selected Villa Enterprises to operate and manage the expansive food court at its Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, where each of our quick-service restaurant concepts will be located," says Anthony Scotto, Villa Enterprises CEO. "With more than four decades' worth of experience in the quick-service restaurant environment and proven operational expertise within high-volume, high-traffic destinations, our partnership with Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem is a prudent move for both companies."
Beginning in 2010, Villa will transition the current restaurant space within the food court into its own quick-service restaurant brands: Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen, Green Leaf's, Banana's, South Philly Steak & Fries and Casa Java. Due to its popularity at the casino, an existing Sushi concept will remain in operation, according to the aforementioned press release.