Pizza price war slices profits in Australia

December 21, 2003

BALLARAT, Australia—The battle for the local pizza market has pushed the price of a large pie to as low as AUS $4.95 (U.S. $3.65).

SEC filing details battle for Pizza Inn board

December 18, 2003

THE COLONY, Texas—Pizza Inn, a 417-unit buffet-centerd chain, is urging its shareholders to vote by proxy against board nominees submitted by Newcastle…

Salmon swims in to top job at Restaurant Brands, Aussie Pizza Hut franchisor

December 18, 2003

AUCKLAND, New Zealand—Restaurant Brands' board yesterday appointed Vicki Salmon, 44, chief executive.

Founders of ASK Central and Zizzi's Pizza net $44 million in City Centre sale

December 18, 2003

LONDON—Upon the £168 million (U.S. $297 million) sale of their pizza companies, ASK Central and Zizzi's, to City Centre Restaurants, the founding Kaye family…

Stock analysts remain wary of pizza performance in ''04

December 18, 2003

NEW YORK—Flat sales trends, fierce restaurant segment competition and increasing popularity of low-carbohydrate, low-fat diets likely will dampen the…

Pizza delivery drivers set to unionize via APDD

December 18, 2003

WARNER ROBBINS, Ga.—The Association of Pizza Delivery Drivers (APDD) has announced it will begin helping delivery drivers form unions in localities across the…

Pizza companies switch from paper gift certificates to gift cards

December 17, 2003

Convenience, multiple use and portability are just some of the reasons pizza operators are selling reusable gift cards.

Thailand's The Pizza Company makes 30-minute delivery promise

December 17, 2003

BANGKOK, Thailand—Following the recent introduction of a 30-minute delivery guarantee by Pizza Hut, The Pizza Company is promising the same.

City Centre to pay $296 million for Ask Central Pizza & Pasta

December 17, 2003

LONDON—Dow Jones Newswires has reported that City Centre Restaurants will buy Ask Central PLC for £168 million (U.S. $296 million) in cash and shares, creating…

Hungry Howie's Pizza opens first Oklahoma unit

December 16, 2003

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich.—Hungry Howie's Pizza, Inc. announced the opening of the company's first Oklahoma location.

Economist predicts block cheese prices will slip to low $1.20s

December 16, 2003

LYNDEN, Wash.—Block cheese prices are likely to drop to the low $1.20s, according to dairy economist Bill Brooks, of the Downes-O'Neill Dairy Team in Chicago.

Pizza delivery driver murdered in robbery

December 16, 2003

BROOKLYN, N.Y.—Valery Pazdenkov, 56, a Domino's Pizza delivery driver, was shot to death during a Dec. 14 robbery.

McDonald's confirms sale of Donatos Pizzeria back to founder, Grote

December 15, 2003

OAK BROOK, Ill.—Jim Cantalupo, McDonald's Corp. chairman and CEO announced the company will sell 182-unit, Columbus, Ohio-based Donatos Pizzeria back to Jim…

Grote family reacquires Donatos Pizzeria from McDonald's ... UPDATED

December 15, 2003

COLUMBUS, Ohio—The Grote family announced it has reacquired Donatos Pizzeria, the company Jim Grote founded 40 years ago and sold to McDonald's Corp. in May of…

Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza appoints Morris new CFO

December 15, 2003

IRVING, Texas—CEC Entertainment, Inc., parent of Chuck E. Cheese's, announced the appointment of Chris Morris to the position of senior vice president and…

Judge rules for Shakey's Pizza franchisees in bond hearing

December 15, 2003

LOS ANGELES—On Dec. 12, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled against Chin Yong Wong, chairman of the board of directors of Shakey's Inc. and managing…

Papa John's announces earnings forecast of $2.20 to $2.28 in 2004

December 11, 2003

LOUISIVLLE, Ky. — Papa John's International Inc. announced it expects 2004 earnings to be in the range of $2.20 to $2.28 per share, according to a news release.

Grotto Pizza, charities partner on unique Parade of Trees fundraiser

December 10, 2003

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.—Fifteen-unit Grotto Pizza has found a unique way of tying together a business-building opportunity, Christmas trees and charitable…

Papa John's appoints Langstaff marketing chief, stock spikes

December 10, 2003

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—For the first time in more than two years, Papa John's International has a marketing chief.

Can Your Pizza Business Survive an Audit?

Christmas is coming, but if you're a pizza operator or a tipped employee who hasn't recorded his income correctly in 2003, you'd better watch out—for the IRS.