OPINION: Cheese prices, gas prices, false advertising, oh my!

May 17, 2004

Senior Editor Steve Coomes takes a look at the pizza news of the past weeks.

Takeover bid for Restaurant Brands, Pizza Hut franchisee, withdrawn

May 17, 2004

AUCKLAND, N.Z.—Restaurant Brands, operator of Pizza Hut, KFC and Starbucks in New Zealand and Australia, said a planned takeover bid by King Win Laurel…

Pizza delivery driver kills thief in attempted robbery

May 17, 2004

INDIANAPOLIS—Police here said a Pizza Hut delivery driver shot and killed a man who tried to rob him on the night of May 17.

UPDATE: Delivery driver fired by Pizza Hut for carrying gun

May 17, 2004

INDIANAPOLIS—A Pizza Hut delivery driver who shot and killed a man he said drew a gun on him, was fired from his job. He also could face criminal charges in…

Takeover bid filed for N.Z. Pizza Hut franchisee, Restaurant Brands

May 16, 2004

AUCKLAND, N.Z.—Claims of a takeover bid for Restaurant Brands, franchisee of Pizza Hut, KFC and Starbucks in New Zealand and Australia, moved the struggling…

Comps rise 4.9% at Bertucci's Brick Oven Pizzeria

May 16, 2004

NORTHAMPTON, Mass.—Comparable-store sales at Bertucci's Brick Oven Pizzeria restaurants rose 4.9 percent for the first quarter 2004, ended April 2.

Calif. Pizza Hut operator faces fines for charging energy fee

May 16, 2004

SAN DIEGO—The operator of 62 Southern California Pizza Huts is facing fines for charging customers an energy surcharge during 2002 and 2003.

Block cheese prices plummet to $2

May 12, 2004

CHICAGO—Prices for block cheddar cheese traded at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange sank 15 cents on May 12, the market's lowest price since March 19.

St. Elmo's Woodfired Pizzeria wants a slice of the entire African market

May 12, 2004

CAPE TOWN, South Africa—The 30-unit St. Elmo's Woodfired Pizzeria chain based here, wants to expand throughout all of Africa.

Family owners of Cosimo's Pizza gunned down

May 11, 2004

BALMVILLE, N.Y.—Two members of the family-owned, 45-unit Cosimo's Pizza chain are hospitalized and in critical condition after both were gunned down on May 10.

Domino's Pizza and Coca-Cola partner on NASCAR instant-win game

May 11, 2004

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Domino's Pizza and Coca-Cola have partnered up for a game in which customers can win prizes instantly by purchasing 2-liter Coca-Cola products…

Timed safe foils Pizza Hut robbery

May 11, 2004

PORTERVILLE, Calif.—A gunman who attempted to rob a Pizza Hut here on May 11, wound up fleeing the scene when the store's timed safe wouldn't open.

Domino's Pizza franchisee arrested for tax evasion

May 10, 2004

MERRILLVILLE, Ind.—A Domino's Pizza franchisee here was arrested for tax evasion, according to an Indiana Department of Revenue news release.

Pizza Pizza intros new gourmet salad line

May 10, 2004

TORONTO—Pizza Pizza, a 350-unit chain based here, introduced a new line of Gourmet Salads on May 10.

STRANGE NEWS: Dog owner blames fire on pizza-loving pooch

May 10, 2004

RACINE, Minn.—Either pizza is going to the dogs or a dog owner is finding it convenient to blame a near-tragedy on his defenseless canine.

Cheese prices likely to stay high, analyst says

May 10, 2004

LYNDEN, Wash.—Dairy & Food Market Analyst editor Jerry Dryer believes prices for cheese sold on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange are unlikely to fall much…

Lean pizza, fat profits

May 10, 2004

Though low-carb pizza may seem like an oxymoron, several pizza companies are proving otherwise with strong sales.

Jacmar Corp., franchisee of Shakey's Pizza, moves to acquire Shakey's Inc.

Jacmar Corp., a 19-store Shakey's Pizza franchisee, is negotiating to buy the beleaguered pizza chain.

Take-and-Bake Test

May 6, 2004

Papa John's, Donatos Pizzeria and Pizza Inn are testing take-and-bake pizza. Will the move help or hinder their businesses?

Little Caesars sues franchisees for breach of contract

May 6, 2004

DETROIT—Little Caesar Enterprises has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Michigan accusing more than three-dozen of its franchisees of…