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October 26, 2009

Industry Headlines

Texas indy celebrates National Pizza Month in unusual way

Marty Boisvert, owner of Mamma Mia! Pizza Kitchen in Levelland, Texas, celebrated National Pizza Month by rolling out a Rattlesnake Pizza. Considered a delicacy in the southwest, rattlesnake meat tastes somewhat like a Cornish hen, albeit a bit gamier and chewier.

"We thought that since rattlesnake 'tastes like chicken,' we would start as a variation on our BBQ Chicken Pizza," says Boisvert. "Also, we took into consideration other ingredients already on hand. What could be more Texan than BBQ, red onions, chicken fajita cubes and jalapenos for flavor and color? We want this to be a fun pizza to really commemorate this month."

The pizzeria is offering its Rattlesnake Pizza, along with an "I Ate the Snake" T-shirt, for $39.95.

Opened in 2005, Mamma Mia! Pizza Kitchen features an all-you-can-eat buffet as well as a traditional pizza menu with gourmet pizzas, soups, salads, appetizers and desserts.

Pizza Patron reports 8.8 percent sales increase

Pizza Patron recently announced that its August 2009 comparable sales increased 8.8 percent over the same period a year ago. Much of the credit for the increase is given to the company's summer promotion that enabled customers to order a 12-inch pepperoni pizza for just $2.99 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The 'Dia del Patron' promotion, says the company, was successful in increasing both market share and sales. During the first three weeks after related direct-mail pieces arrived to Dallas area homes, Pizza Patron saw Monday through Wednesday same-store sales increase nearly 50 percent over the same period in 2008, and the number of pizzas sold increased by 115 percent, according to a press release issued by Pizza Patron.

'Dia del Patron' ran July through September in most markets and was extended through the end of this month due to high customer response.

"We decided in late 2008 to focus on the neighborhoods within two miles of each store in 2009, and it has worked tremendously," says Pizza Patron brand manager Andrew Gamm. "This customer appreciation program has been very successful in each of the markets in which it was launched. The ultra-competitive pricing and unbeatable values have strengthened our relationship with current customers and expanded our market share tremendously this year."

Pizza Patron currently has 92 stores in six states and hopes to have 750 nationwide within the next 10 years.

Papa Murphy's brings back the Jack-O-Lantern pizza

A big hit since its initial rollout three years ago, Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza has brought back its Jack-O-Lantern Pizza this Halloween season. Originally created by Lamont Theall, a franchisee in Salt Lake City, the Jack-O-Lantern Pizza has become a top seasonal sales driver.

"On Halloween, we typically start prepping dough and shredding cheese before the sun comes up," says Theall. "It's a marathon event for all of us, but we encourage the crew to dress in costume and have fun with it. Smiles on their faces will ultimately transfer to our customers' faces. And, in the end, that's what we're all about."

NYPD Pizza expands in Utah

The Orlando, Florida-based NYPD Pizza chain has opened a new store in Layton, Utah. This is the second store in the Salt Lake market for franchisees Angelo Zullo and Jim Rodriguez. The restaurant will be open seven days a week and offer dine-in, carryout, delivery and will serve liquor.

"With the success of our first location in Draper, we feel it is the right time to expand and introduce the high quality product to the rest of the good people of Utah," says Zullo. "We will be opening numerous locations and look forward to branding the NYPD Pizza name in this region."

Domino's teams with game maker Hasbro

Domino's Pizza and Hasbro have teamed up in an effort to promote family "pizza and game night." According to a press release issued by Domino's, the partnership will consist of: Hasbro game-topped 12-inch Domino's pizza boxes; Hasbro coupons for online Domino's customers; Target stores will feature Domino's coupons on select Hasbro games in November (150,000 Hasbro boxes will be stickered with a coupon for a free medium one-topping Domino's pizza when ordered online); a Domino's version of Connect-4 will be featured as an online game on Pizza Tracker, a system that allows customers who order online to track each step of their order.

With any online Domino's order between October 26-December 21, customers will receive $30 in coupons from Hasbro. The Hasbro games involved in the promotion are Cranium, Connect 4x4 and Pictureka!.

Stevi B's running Halloween promotion

Stevi B's is offering trick-or-treaters a dine-in special for 99 cents on October 30 and 31. The Atlanta-based buffet chain is extending the offer to any child, age 10 and under, who visits a Stevi B's location in their Halloween costume.

"Stevi B's is a family friendly, community-driven brand that offers a fun atmosphere that is perfect for adults and children," says Stevi B's president Matt Loney. "Halloween is a great time for families to spend time together, and for just 99 cents, children are able to enjoy a delicious meal at a great price."

Typically, prices for the Stevi B's buffet range from $2.99 to $4.99 for children and $5.29 to $7.49 for adults.