August 03, 2011
Industries Headline

Submit menus to International Pizza Expo for free menu critique

International Pizza Expo organizers are gathering pizzeria menus for a menu development seminar at International Pizza Expo in March 2012. Don't miss an opportunity to have your menu critiqued for free by a well-known menu and restaurant consultant. To submit a menu, e-mail Bruce Allar at ballar@pizzatoday.com.


Slice of Hope pledges heating up

Pledges are continuing to pour in for Slice of Hope, a charity event in October that unites pizzerias across the country to raise funds to fight breast cancer.

Pizza Today and the Karen Mullen Breast Cancer Foundation would like to thank the following pizzerias for their recent pledges: Spacca Napoli, Chicago, Illinois; Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria, Seattle, Washington; Acme Pizzaria, Cottonwood, Arizona; Umbria Gourmet Pizzeria, Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Carmine's Pizza Factory and Catering, Jersey City, New Jersey; Fox's Pizza Den, Franklin, Pennsylvania; Westshore Pizza, Mason, Ohio; Manny & Olga's Pizza, Silver Spring, Maryland; Pomodori Roast Beef & Pizzeria, Ipswich, Massachusetts; Family Pizza, Stafford, Virginia; Sparky's Pizzeria & Grill, Jackson, Tennessee; and Wally's Pizza & Subs, Carson City, Nevada.

For one day, October 7, America's pizzerias are being asked to band together and battle a common cause — breast cancer. By donating 10, 20 or even 30 percent of sales from this day, the pizza industry will be able to make a remarkable contribution to the Karen Mullen Breast Cancer Foundation, which has committed to giving 100 percent of Slice of Hope proceeds to four of the nation's leading breast cancer research labs.

If you would like your pizzeria to be a part of Slice of Hope, visit PizzaToday.com and click on the Slice of Hope icon for more information.


Restaurant Industry Outlook continues to strengthen

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) has announced the June Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) rose above 100, signifying expansion in the index of key industry indicators. June's 100.6 RPI marks six of seven months that the RPI stood above 100. Additionally, the RPI was up 0.8 from May's level of 99.9.

"The RPI's solid improvement in June was due in large part to stronger same-store sales and customer traffic performances, which bounced back from their May declines," says Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for NRA. "In addition, restaurant operators are optimistic that their sales environment will improve in the months ahead, while their outlook for capital spending also remains strong."

Between June 2010 and June 2011, 51 percent of restaurant operators reported a same-store sales gain. Additionally, 44 percent of restaurant operators reported an increase in customer traffic between June 2010 and June 2011.  

The Expectation Index, which measures restaurant operators' six-month outlook for four industry indicators (same-store sales, employees, capital expenditures and business conditions) stood at 100.7 in June, compared to 100.6 in May. June marks the 11th consecutive month the index has rose above 100.


Food Network Magazine to feature "50 States, 50 Pizzas"

Food Network Magazine has scoured the U.S. in search of the best pizza in each state. After a six-month search, the magazine will reveal the winners in its September issue, set to hit newsstands August 9.

"When we set out six months ago to find the greatest pizzas in America, we didn't insist on thin crust, or red sauce — we didn't even care if they were round," says Editor In Chief Maile Carpenter. "They just had to be awesome. We found out that pizza is an even more sensitive subject than we thought, and there will be people who are surprised by our choices, but that's the whole point: There's no single best way to make it."

The magazine also quizzed Food Network stars like Duff Goldman, Ellie Krieger and Guy Fieri about their pizza preferences. The publication has a 1.3MM rate base circulation and delivers 1.5MM. It also ranks 11th on the newsstand out of all monthly magazines measured by ABC.

To see which pizzas made the list, visit www.foodnetwork.com/50bestpizzas.