Pizza Patron sees jump in Q4 comps

January 12, 2009

DALLAS -- Latino pizza brand Pizza Patron saw comparable-store sales in its franchised units increase 3.3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008, the company…

Delivery driver faked robbery, police say

January 12, 2009

Worcester (Mass.) Telegram & Gazette News: An Oxford, Mass., pizza delivery driver is facing charges she faked a robbery and told police that two Hispanic…

Reno-area Domino's set to close

January 12, 2009

MSNBC: Domino's is closing seven stores in the Reno area because the franchisee is not fulfilling his contract, according to employees at one of the stores.

International School of Pizza registering for 2009

January 11, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO -- The International School of Pizza has unveiled a new Web site. Aspiring pizza chefs can find information about the school and register for…

Pizza Hut menu transitions to all-natural ingredients

January 11, 2009

DALLAS -- Pizza Hut is launching the first stage in a menu-wide transition to pizzas made entirely from natural ingredients, available nationally beginning…

Commodities update - Week of Jan. 12, 2009

January 11, 2009

CHICAGO -- Block cheese prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange extended their slide, averaging slightly above $1.07 per pound for the trading week ended…

Pa. pizzeria operators to attend inauguration

January 8, 2009

Pocono Record: Last January, Hamilton Township, Pa., pizzeria co-owner Rukie Paputchi sat in jail facing deportation to her native Bulgaria. Now, she and her…

Another Chuck E. Cheese marred by brawls

January 8, 2009

MSNBC: Five women and a minor were arrested last weekend after they were involved in a fight at a Dauphin County, Pa., Chuck E. Cheese. The incident marks the…

NY, Mass. propose menu labeling, target obesity

January 8, 2009

Health concerns continue to be a priority for lawmakers and governmental leaders in 2009.   AHN reports that New York Gov. David Paterson, in his first State…

Pizza Patrón issues 'Pizza Pesos'

January 7, 2009

DALLAS -- Latino pizza brand Pizza Patròn has begun distribution of its new Pizza Peso in Dallas/Ft Worth, home of the concept. The Pizza Peso is a $1 coupon…

Pa. pizzeria fined for deer butchering

January 7, 2009

Allentown Morning Call: The owner of Stromboli Pizza in Allentown, Pa., will have to pay a $50 fine for having a deer butchered on the premises. John Okumus…

Coalition launches nutrition campaign

January 7, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Coalition for Responsible Nutrition Information has launched a campaign to pass national legislation that will provide consumers across…

The top pizza stories of 2008

Cost concerns topped the list of issues facing operators last year.

Vapiano receives capital for expansion, hires new CEO

January 6, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Fresh casual restaurant and lounge Vapiano has received funding from three European banks for a total of 45 million Euro (U.S. $62.…

King County menu-labeling rule doesn't faze customers

January 6, 2009

The Seattle Times: Calorie-count posting requirements for chain restaurants in King County, Wash., went into affect Jan. 1, but customers seemed to take little…

Pizza employee who complained about heat out in the cold

January 5, 2009

KING5.com (Lacey, Wash.): A pizzeria worker has been fired after talking to reporters, he claims. Dan Baxter was fired after telling KING 5 News that the…

Pizza Patron opens quick-serve restaurant

January 5, 2009

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- Latino pizza brand Pizza Patron has opened its first Quick Service Pizza outlet in San Antonio, Texas. The restaurant is located in a…

Pizza Time workers left out in the cold

January 4, 2009

MSNBC: Employees of a Lacey, Wash., Pizza Time restaurant say the owners have cut off the heat in the store after they forgot to shut off the furnace one…

Commodities update - Week of Jan. 5, 2009

January 4, 2009

CHICAGO -- Block cheese prices on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange continued to slide during the shortened trading week last week, averaging $1.19 per pound for…

CiCi's bets on Vegas

January 4, 2009

COPPELL, Texas -- CiCi's Pizza has opened its third and fourth Las Vegas locations, and plans to open three more in 2009.   In recent years, prices for food…