Competitors will vie for U.S. Pizza Team spots during NAPICS

February 4, 2004

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Some 60 pizza makers will battle for two spots on the U.S. Pizza Team when the Pizza Pizzazz kicks off at the North America Pizza & Ice…

Low-cost pizza model takes hold in China

February 3, 2004

SHANGHAI, China—In a market where pizza not only is relatively novel but priced at a premium, French émigré Anthony Le Corre's three Hello Pizza units are…

Sbarro hires Beaudrault as new QSR president

February 3, 2004

MELVILLE, N.Y.—Nine-hundred-unit Sbarro, Inc. named Peter J. Beaudrault president of the company's quick service dining division.

Papa John's Jan. comp-store sales rise 4%

February 2, 2004

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Papa John's International, Inc. announced its domestic systemwide comparable-store sales for the four weeks ended Jan. 25, 2004, rose 4 percent…

Z Pizza aims to add 40 units to Washington, D.C. area

February 1, 2004

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Z Pizza, a gourmet pizza restaurant chain based here, announced plans to open more than 40 units in and around Washington, D.C.

''Circular' reasoning dogs defendant in Shakey's Pizza lawsuit

An outdated and incomplete uniform franchise offering circular emerges as the centerpiece of a fraud and misrepresentation lawsuit filed against Shakey's by…

Pizza delivery driver fired for speaking to reporter

January 29, 2004

ATHENS, Ga.—A Pizza Hut delivery driver here was fired for speaking to a reporter about a recent robbery in which he was the victim.

Price increase helps comp-store sales rise 2.5% at California Pizza Kitchen

January 29, 2004

LOS ANGELES—California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. reported Jan. 29 that its comparable-store sales for the fourth quarter, ended Dec. 28, 2003, rose 2.8 percent…

Figaro's Italian Pizza unveils low-carb pizzas line

January 29, 2004

SALEM, Ore.—Beginning Feb. 23, Figaro's Italian Pizza, Inc., a take-and-bake and bake-and-take chain, will roll out a low-carbohydrate line of pizzas that…

NEWS OF THE WEIRD: Two wrecks and $125 in parking tickets send pizza delivery driver to jail

January 28, 2004

BUFFALO, N.Y.—A pair of auto accidents in a single day left pizza delivery driver Erik Carlson-Coulter, 22, calling police for help—and them paying them bail…

Americans rely heavily on pizzerias, restaurants for Super Bowl grub, NRA says

January 28, 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C.—According to a survey by the National Restaurant Association, 52 percent of Americans ages 18-24 who watch the Super Bowl order takeout or…

January sales rise 2% at Pizza Hut U.S. corp. stores

January 28, 2004

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Yum! Brands Inc. reported Jan. 29 that comparable-store sales at Pizza Hut rose 2 percent for the four weeks ended Jan. 28.

House Judiciary Committee passes bill discouraging obesity lawsuits against foodservice industry

January 27, 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 339, the "Personal Responsibility in Food Consumption Act," a bill designed…

North America Pizza & Ice Cream Show serves up strong slate of speakers, panels

January 26, 2004

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Three solid days of pizza-centered seminars are on the menu for the expected 5,000 attendees of the North America Pizza & Ice Cream Show…

Time to order online

Ordering online from a distributor is simple and convenient, but few distributors and pizza operators are using such services.

Papa Murphy's to launch lower-cal, lower-carb line of pizzas

January 26, 2004

VANCOUVER, Wash.—Seeking to satisfy diet-conscious customers, Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza will launch a new line of Thin Crust deLITE pizzas on Feb. 1.

Pizza Inn's comp-sales drop 1.4% in second quarter

January 25, 2004

THE COLONY, Texas—Pizza Inn reported on Jan. 23 that its comparable-store sales dropped 1.4 percent for its second quarter, ended Dec. 28, 2003. The company's…

Old Chicago to build 15 pizza restaurants around Tampa Bay

January 25, 2004

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—Rock Bottom Restaurants Inc., owner of the 53-unit Old Chicago pizza restaurant chain, wants to open 15 units in the Tampa Bay area…

Proposal for Ask Central pizza chain coming soon, says TDR

January 22, 2004

LONDON—Pizza and pasta chain Ask Central is now the subject of a rival takeover approach valuing the firm at £211 million (U.S. $389.2 million).

NEWS OF THE WEIRD: Angry patron holds up pizza staff, dines and leaves

January 21, 2004

EDMONTON, Alberta—A man accused of holding up a pizzeria after being told his pizza would take 45 minutes to be delivered told a court police arrested the…