May 25, 2009

Industry Headlines 

Papa John's debuts groundbreaking augmented reality feature online

The first national pizza company to offer online and text message ordering, Papa John’s is once again breaking technology barriers to provide an unprecedented experience to its customers: augmented reality.

A new frontier for marketers, augmented reality is an online application that allows the user to interact in real-time with computer-generated imagery. For Papa John’s, customers can log on to www.papasroadtrip.com, download and print an icon of the 1972 Z28 Camaro that founder John Schnatter sold 25 years ago to open his first restaurant, and virtually drive that same Camaro when the image is recognized by a user’s webcam. While driving, customers will be granted exclusive discounts to future Papa John’s purchases, displayed on virtual billboards along the virtual road. Next month, the same icon will be available on the bottom of pizza boxes, marking the first time a brand has made augmented reality available at point-of-purchase.

“Augmented reality is consistent with our continued emphasis on exploring technology in ways that provide better value and connection to our customers, as well as enhance our ability to engage them in ways above and beyond the transaction,” said Jim Ensign, Papa John’s vice president of marketing communications. “We were at the forefront of online ordering and text ordering, and augmented reality takes our digital marketing approach to a new dimension.”

An estimated 20 percent of Americans currently own and operate a webcam, while most newer laptops include a webcam as a standard feature. For those without a webcam, the Papa John’s augmented reality application will also be featured online at www.papasroadtrip.com as an interactive flash demonstration. The site will also include a simple yet comprehensive guide and video demonstration on how to optimize the augmented reality experience.

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John's International, Inc. is the world's third largest pizza company.

World Pizza Champions, Lindsay Olives team up for Olive Pizza Recipe Challenge

The World Pizza Champions and Linsday Olives have announced a national pizza contest. Olive pizza lovers nationwide can submit their best, original pizza pie recipe in this delicious contest to win exciting prizes. From May 19 to June 22, 2009 inventive pizza makers, ages 10 and older, can enter their yummy, olive laden pie and a photo at www.lindsayolives.com/pizza for a chance to win a $250 pizza party and more.

This easy-to-enter contest celebrates the launch of “Tony and the Pizza Champions” (Chronicle Books 2009) based on the true story of pizza acrobat Tony Gemignani and his world-champion pizza tossing team. This colorfully illustrated, entertaining tale offers an inside glimpse into the art – and sport – of making pizza and winning competitions.  With the Olive Pizza Recipe Challenge, olive pizza aficionados can enjoy a similar adventure.  All entrees must use Lindsay Olives. Tony will serve as the contest judge and use the following criteria to select the winning pizzas: taste; originality: visual appeal and use of Lindsay Olives.

One Grand Prize winner will receive: $250 pizza party at a favorite pizzeria; 12 cases of Lindsay Olives, a video of Gemignani making the winning pizza; One copy of Tony and the Pizza Champions autographed by all the World Pizza Champions; Their recipe on the menu at Gemignani’s restaurant, Pyzano’s, in Castro Valley, California and their recipe posted on Lindsay Olives’ Web site.

Eleven runners-up will win an autographed copy of Tony and the Pizza Champions’ and these winning recipes will also be posted on the Lindsay Olives’ Web site.

Visit www.lindsayolives.com/pizza to watch Gemignani’s dough-tossing acrobatics, for contest details, rules and hints and tips for making great olive pizzas.

Domino's Pizza ranks tops in American Customer Satisfaction Index

Domino's Pizza ranked number one in customer satisfaction in a survey of consumers of the U.S. largest limited service restaurants, according to the annual American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), released last week by the University of Michigan.

The ACSI is a national economic indicator of customer evaluations of the quality of products and services available to household consumers in the United States. Domino's Pizza unseated not only its biggest pizza competitors, but the U.S. largest limited service restaurants, with an overall score of 77. Starbucks and Wendy's ranked second. Customer satisfaction with the entire limited service restaurant segment remained even from 2008, at 78.

Domino's outscored past category leader Papa John's by two points (75) and rival Pizza Hut by three points (74). Domino's Pizza improved 2.7% versus the previous year and is the overall "most improved" since the survey began, improving its first year score by 14.9 percent.

"From the first day we saw our score with the ACSI, I said we would not be satisfied until we were number one - not just in pizza, but in the entire category," said Domino's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David A. Brandon. "I stand corrected: while we are thrilled to get the recognition for the efforts of our hard-working franchisees and team members, we are still not satisfied. We want to remain on top for a long time to come."

Founded in 1960, Domino's Pizza operates a network of 8,773 franchised and Company-owned stores in the United States and 60 international markets.

 Tennessee Snappy Tomato Pizza franchisee raises money for injured teen

At Snappy Tomato Pizza in Union City, Tennessee, the "Goodwill Campaign" continues. The idea: giving back to the community in ways that feel good to everyone. The focus this time: local youth Brooke Albright.

Brooke, a sixteen-year-old sophomore at Obion County Central High School, was critically injured in an automobile accident on April 2, 2009 while on her way home from school. Thrown from the vehicle, Brooke sustained multiple injuries---the most serious being head and brain trauma. Airlifted to Regional Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee, Brooke is currently a patient at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA.

Community-minded individuals at Snappy Tomato Pizza of Union City found a way to help: an entire day of fundraising on behalf of Brooke and her family by contributing a percentage of the day’s sales to an account set up to help with the family's financial burden. Copies of a letter announcing the fundraiser were used as box toppers during the week prior to the event.

Daniel Passmore, General Manager of Snappy Tomato of Union City, coordinated the event with a local bank (where Brooke’s mother is employed), local radio stations and the newspaper. "As I started promoting the fundraiser I was terrified by the third day of the onslaught of support that we were going to be overwhelmed by the support of the community!” Connie Babb, Assistant Manager of the local Snappy Tomato, distributed the information to local businesses, churches, and schools.  

John Fry, Director of Operations Snappy Tomato Pizza West Tennessee Division, was excited but apprehensive about the forthcoming event. “We all wanted to do something to help, and thought that whatever we accomplished would be one more thing being done to help the family. We knew that we had an opportunity to do something special, but none of us knew what to expect.”

Before the store opened at 11 a.m., almost $1,000 in advance sales had been amassed. Connie received a phone call to come in early and help with the increase in sales. She couldn’t wait to get to work. “I was waiting for the phone to ring.” It was soon evident that this event would surpass anyone’s expectations. Everyone that could possibly help was called to come in. Richard Moran, the owner of the local Snappy Tomato franchise, was on hand for the events of the day.  “It was a great day. A lot of good was done today."

The lunch business was overwhelming. Customers waited patiently for their orders while others bided their time just for an opportunity to enjoy the buffet.  Every customer, despite all that was going on, found their needs met in a timely fashion.

There was little time to reflect on the lunchtime success.  It all started again when school was dismissed. Perhaps the most humbling part of the day was to see the restaurant full of Brooke’s classmates and peers. There were people literally lined around the building to be a part of this special event in honor of Brooke.

When asked the next day how the event went, a teary-eyed employee simply said: “I’m speechless”.  Sales for the day set a record for this long-standing partner in the community. This achievement was overshadowed by the level of participation and generosity of Snappy’s patrons. John Fry summed it up by saying: “Everyone involved slept really well that night, and held their heads a little higher the next day”.

The total money raised by this event and donated to the Albright family: $1,356.85.

Boombozz Famous Pizza Rolls Out New York Style Pizza

After a one-year quest to find New York’s best pizza, Tony Palombino, founder of the Boombozz concept in Louisville, KY, feels he has achieved his goal of creating a New York style pizza. "Over the last year I made hundreds of pizzas just trying to get it right, just trying to master what the best New York pizzerias do," he said.

Palombino developed the pizza to fill consumer demand for a authentic New York style pizza.

The new pizza, to be named the “Brooklyn Pizza Pie” is a 17-inch pizza that is hand-crafted with a signature New York style sauce, hand- tossed dough and cut into foldable slices.

The pie includes a blend of Shredded mozzarella and grated Romano Cheese. It is then drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil and garnished with fresh basil and oregano.

"We are deeply committed to providing consumers with other alternatives said Palombino, "Our top priority is to continually improve all our products, and the introduction of the new Brooklyn Pizza Pie  is in keeping with this goal."

The price for the 17-inch pizza is $12.99 and slices will also be available during lunch hours.

Marco’s Pizza achieves 11 consecutive quarters of growth

Marco’s Pizza has achieved its eleventh consecutive quarter of positive same-store sales growth, the company reported last week. System-wide same-store sales for Q1 2009 were up 0.14 percent over very strong 2008 numbers.

“Marco’s history of positive growth quarter after quarter, coupled with the economic recession, makes sustaining positive sales growth no small feat,” said Marco’s Pizza CEO Jack Butorac. “We have to continuously beat our already impressive sales numbers. However, Marco’s is up to the challenge and we look forward to continued growth and expansion.”
 
Marco’s Pizza has been growing steadily and is on track to open more than 40 new locations total by the end of the year. The pizza company currently operates more than 185 stores in 17 states and has more than 700 new stores contracted.
 
Founded in 1978 by Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco, Marco’s Pizza has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate more than 185 stores in 17 states.