Commodities: Pizza brands take a beating

Last week was a tough one for most pizza restaurateurs as the prices for all essential commodities rose, while all but one brand monitored by this site…

Papa John's name Kirtley as board chair

July 30, 2018

Papa John's has named Olivia F. Kirtley as chair, succeeding founder, John Schnatter, who resigned the position earlier this month in the midst of the negative…

Schnatter sues Papa John's board over chairmanship ouster

John Schnatter wants to see the books and any record of the board discussions behind Papa John's board's decision to push the outspoken company's founder out…

Russo’s retail line partners with Texas grocers

July 26, 2018

Chef Anthony Russo's, the Texas-based retail line behind Russo's New York Pizzeria restaurant chain, has partnered with major grocers including H-E-B, Randalls…

Pies, sides of the near-future: The trends en route to a pizza near you

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

What's not merely new to the pizza trade, but about to be new? Take a brief test to see if you know, then read on to find out what culinary trend forecaster…

Pizza Pizza responds to customers' 'cauli' for more veggies

July 25, 2018

That little darling of the alternative pizza crust world — cauliflower —has landed in Canada at Pizza Pizza. It has created a cauliflower crust, a news release…

Steelers, Pizza Hut partner

July 25, 2018

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Pizza Hut are pairing up as part of the Yum Brands chain's recently inked status as the official pizza of the NFL earlier this…

Papa John's board acts to safeguard company from founder's takeover

July 24, 2018

Papa John's board has adopted a limited duration stockholder rights plan, sometimes referred to as a "poison pill" defense strategy, to safeguard control of…

Restaurant leaders discuss 3 digital categories turning industry on its head

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Digital signage, online ordering and loyalty apps are collectively transforming the restaurant business as we've known it for most of the past several decades.

Russo's adds 5 summer pizzas

July 23, 2018

Russo's New York Pizzeria is ushering in five new menu items to showcase fresh, high-quality ingredients with new tastes, a news release said. The new…

Papa John's-Wendy's merger?

July 19, 2018

The No. 3 pizza brand and No. 3 burger brand have reportedly begun preliminary talks about the possibility of a merger, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Artichoke Basille opens 1st freestanding store

July 19, 2018

Artichoke Basille's Pizza will open its first freestanding store this fall in Newington, Connecticut, also the first store in that state. The Berlin Turnpike…

Toppers returns to its 'rebel' roots with items 'outside the (pizza) box'

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Toppers is going back to its quirky beginnings by thinking "outside the (pizza) box" when it comes to the brand's menu.

Papa John's names law firm to oversee investigation, audit

Papa John's International, Inc. said this morning that a special committee consisting of all independent directors of the board has appointed the international…

Mountain Mike's plans 40 more stores in Southern California in 10 years

July 18, 2018

California-based Mountain Mike's Pizza has signed an area development agreement to expand the brand's footprint in Southern California by adding more than 4…

Pizza Hut LTO adds 'edible action' for day with no pro sports

July 17, 2018

Pizza Hut's latest LTO is paying a tongue-in-cheek tribute to a day when, somewhat incredibly, there will be no professional sports broadcast in the U.S.

Blaze puts former Jamba Juice executive in key franchise development post

July 17, 2018

Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza has named a new franchise development executive who will lead the charge to add 30 new franchise partners in 45 key areas. The brand is…

Papa John's kicks Schnatter out of HQ, acts to fix brand, company culture

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Investors are showing their approval in the actions taken thus far by Papa John's to act on the problems inflicted by its founder's words. Stocks were up…

Papa John's lessons about founders, spokespersons, media training

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Where will Papa John's go from here as a pizza brand and what should pizza restaurateurs take away from the embattled brand's problems about media training?

Commodities: Pizza brands make nice gains ... especially Papa John's

by S.A. Whitehead — Food Editor, Net World Media Group

Despite the global news swirling around Papa John's brand and its controversial founder, John Schnatter, it was a pretty profitable week for pizza…