2002: A Year in Review

Sluggish sales amid a sputtering economy didn't stop the pizza industry from delivering a year full of highs and lows in 2002

Yum approves Malaysian Pizza Hut, KFC franchisee's restructuring plan

September 23, 2003

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- KFC Holdings Malaysia Bhd has been granted approval by Louisville, Ky.-based Yum! Brands Inc., owner of several quick-serve chains…

Money woes, legal battles signal crisis for parent of Shakey's pizza chain

September 23, 2003

Mounting debts and directors' sales of Inno-Pacific stock reveal grave troubles for the Singaporean parent company of Shakey's Inc. The chain's franchisees say…

Cheese industry watchers offer mixed predictions on prices

September 23, 2003

FOND DU LAC, Wis. -- The price of block cheese traded at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange hasn't moved from its $1.60 price since Aug. 4. And according to The…

Possible lead in death of pizza delivery driver killed by explosive

September 23, 2003

ERIE, Pa. -- The twisted tale of pizza delivery driver Brian Wells, who was killed by an explosive after robbing a bank on Aug. 28, has taken a strange turn.

Pizza delivery driver killed by bomb had police record

September 22, 2003

ERIE, Pa. -- Brian Wells, a pizza delivery driver who, on Aug. 28, robbed a bank and was killed by a bomb locked to his neck, wasn't always the quiet…

Ohio State study finds restaurant failure lower than believed

September 22, 2003

COLUMBUS, Ohio. -- A new study from The Ohio State University has found the restaurant industry failure rate to be far lower than many have long believed.

Godfather's sues hotel over blocked phone dialing

September 22, 2003

ALTOONA, Iowa — Owners of the Godfather's Pizza delivered a lawsuit alleging a hotel across the street unfairly kept patrons from ordering its pizza.

Japanese pizza maker now media darling following Italian championship

September 21, 2003

NAPLES, Italy -- Makoto Onishi, a 28-year-old Japanese pizza maker who won the top prize at the recent annual Naples pizza festival, has become a food…

Pizza Hut intros stored-value holiday gift cards

September 21, 2003

DALLAS -- Pizza Hut is debuting a holiday gift card for this year's shopping season.

Case Dismissed

The dismissal of an obesity lawsuit against McDonald's was a setback for such personal injury claims, but many fear more suits will follow and that pizza…

Canadian Domino's Pizza franchisee posts private placement

September 18, 2003

CALGARY, Alberta -- Comac Food Group Inc., master franchisee for Domino's Pizza in Canada, and Leede Financial Markets Inc., have increased the previously…

Hungry Howie's ''tenders' new chicken offering

September 18, 2003

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. -- Hungry Howie's Pizza has announced the nationwide rollout of a new chicken tenders side item.

CiCi's founder, Croce, selling pizza chain to management team

September 17, 2003

COPPELL, Texas -- CiCi's Pizza founder, president and CEO, Joe Croce, 44, announced on Feb. 3 he will sell his company to six executives on July 1.

CiCi's to add 25 units to St Louis area

September 17, 2003

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Dallas-based buffet chain CiCi's Pizza wants to add 25 stores in and around St. Louis over the next six years.

CiCi's Pizza franchise group appoints Speck as chief people officer

September 17, 2003

DENVER -- Pizza PALS of Denver, a CiCi's Pizza franchisee group, has announced the appointment of Mike Speck as its chief people officer.

California Pizza Kitchen announces quarterly revenue increase

September 17, 2003

LOS ANGELES -- California Pizza Kitchen Inc. revenues increased 16.2 percent to $87.9 million for the second quarter ended June 29 from $75.6 million during…

CPK broadening new menu in November

September 17, 2003

LOS ANGELES -- Seeking to boost dinner business, California Pizza Kitchen will add fish to a new menu expected for rollout in November.

Analyst concerned public pizza companies didn't hedge cheese costs

September 17, 2003

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Pizza companies -- especially larger ones -- should have protected their profits by hedging milk futures and options, said John Glass, an…

California Pizza Kitchen CEO resigns, site reassessments underway, stock price falling

September 17, 2003

Citing "poor real estate choices" and a growth strategy needing revision, officials of California Pizza Kitchen told analysts listening to a second quarter…