Piece Pizzeria & Brewery, located in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, has been honored as the 2011 Independent Pizzeria of the Year by Pizza Today. The magazine will profile Piece in its forthcoming August issue, and owner Bill Jacobs is featured on the cover.

 "Piece is a juggernaut," says Pizza Today Editor-in-Chief, Jeremy White. "Since opening 10 years ago it has quickly grown into one of the highest-grossing independent operations in the entire country. This year the shop will do $6 million in sales."

 Piece serves New Haven-style pizza, a rarity in Chicago, says White.

 "Our Managing Editor, Mandy Detwiler, spent an entire day at Piece to uncover what makes the business so spectacularly successful," White says. "While much of it boils down to a unique product, it goes well beyond that and Mandy's article reflects that."

 The August issue of Pizza Today will be available at PizzaToday.com later this week.

Pizza Today wins international Tabbie Awards

Pizza Today has received international awards for its editorial content and design. Trade Association Business Publications International has announced that Pizza Today is among its 2011 Tabbie Awards recipients.

 The Tabbie Awards recognize excellence in trade, association and business publications. This year, the awards drew nearly 400 entries from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., India, New Zealand and South Africa. Of the hundreds of entries, Pizza Today is one of only seven entries to win four or more awards and the only food service publication to be honored.

 Pizza Today placed ninth in the Best Issue Top 25 for its March 2010 issue, "Slice of Heaven". The 2010 magazine team of Editor-In-Chief Jeremy White, Managing Editor Mandy Wolf Detwiler, Editorial Coordinator Pat Cravens, Creative Director and Photographer Rick Daugherty, and Art Director and Photographer Josh Keown share the Top 10 ranking.

 White’s Commentary, “Is Pizza Fast Food?,” which appeared in the July 2010 issue, received bronze in the Editor’s Column category. The magazine finished with a bronze in the Focus/Profile Article category for its 2010 Independent Pizzeria of the Year feature “The Real Thing” by White, highlighting Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria in Seattle, Washington. Keown’s photo layout of the In the Kitchen department feature “Flavorful Pasta” received honorable mention in the Opening Page/Spread category.

 “Our goal has always been for Pizza Today to be the single most useful tool for pizzeria operators who are looking to run their businesses more efficiently and profitably,” says White, who has led the publication for the past 12 years. “As such, our readers are the only critics that truly matter. Having said that, however, it is always nice to be recognized by your peers as being outstanding in your field. The awards bestowed upon us this year are a testament to my editorial staff’s diligence, expertise and passion for the pizza industry. I am extremely proud that Pizza Today has been named the winner of four Tabbie Awards.”

CiCi's Pizza introduces a new cheeseburger pizza

Coppell, Texas-based CiCi's Pizza has introduced the launch of its American Classics Line. CiCi's rolled out a Cheeseburger pizza, the first of four signature pizzas in the line. The cheeseburger pie features ground beef, cheese, fresh chopped pickles, mustard and topped with a drizzle of ketchup.

 "What better way to celebrate summer than introducing our new American Classics and featuring a new addition, the Cheeseburger Pizza," says Chief Marketing Officer Nancy Hampton. "Our guests love the variety we offer with more than 20 pizzas on our buffet, in addition to soup, salad, pasta and dessert. And, better yet, they can expect to see American Classics featured from now on."

 In addition to the new line, CiCi's is also promoting its Family Funacular through August 28. Guests will have a chance to win movie family fun packs, children's movie tickets, millions of other prizes, and a grand prize all-expenses paid trip to Universal Orlando Resort for two families of four. Guests will receive a scratch-off card with every guest check and large beverage purchase.

 Founded in Plano, Texas in 1985, CiCi's has expanded to more than 600 locations in 35 states, with plans to add another 500 in the next 10 years.

Domino's to post direct customer comments in Time Square

 Ann Arbor, Michigan-based Domino's Pizza launched a new campaign aimed toward demonstrating accountability and customer feedback in New York's Time Square. Monday, Domino's began posting recent direct customer feedback, whether good, bad or neutral, for the 500,000 people who pass through Times Square each day.

 "Our customers deserve, and have come to expect, honesty from us—and when it comes to the idea of posting direct feedback in Time Square, it really doesn't get more honest and open than this," says President and CEO Patrick Doyle. "Our hope is that most of the feedback is positive, but our top priority is that people are seeing what is real."

 Customers who have their feedback posted in Time Square will also receive a link to a video clip of their feedback, with an optional photo, as it ran on a 4,630-square-foot billboard. The comments will run at various times each day through August 23.

Feedback will be generated through the Domino's Tracker, an online ordering system where customers follow every stage of their order.

 Founded in 1960, Domino's operates a network of 9,379 franchised and company-owned stores in the U.S. and 70 international markets. Domino's was recognized by Pizza Today as the 2011 "Chain of the Year" in May.

Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen opens in Katy, Texas

Villa Enterprises Management Ltd., Inc. has announced the grand opening of a Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen in Katy, Texas, Saturday. The newest restaurant is located in the Katy Mills Mall.

 "We're thrilled to open a Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen concept in the Katy Mills Mall, bringing fresh food made with the highest quality ingredients to thousands of hungry shoppers," says Senior Vice President of Business Development Adam Torine. "The newest location marks the 23rd Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen located in Texas, a true testament to Texans' love of authentic Italian cuisine."

Villa Enterprises operates more than 270 Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen locations in 38 states and in five international countries.

Mellow Mushroom to open in Boone, North Carolina

The newest Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is slated to open in Boone, North Carolina, Monday, August 1, in the downtown district. This Mellow Mushroom will feature an exclusive 60 Beer Club, HD televisions, and local Appalachian State University and Watauga High School events. The Boone community is familiar with Mellow Mushroom through a previous store.

 "Mellow Mushroom is the perfect fit for the town of Boone and we are looking forward to restoring Mellow Mushroom as an important part of this wonderful community," says Owner Chuck Luddeke.

 Founded near the campus of Georgia Tech, Mellow Mushroom operates 100 restaurants in 15 states.