Confident in Domino’s Artisan™ Pizza recipes, Domino’s tells customers no need for substitutions or additions

Domino's Pizza to Consumers: We're Saying 'No' for You!

Ann Arbor, MI  (Restaurant News Release)  Domino’s Pizza (NYSE: DPZ), the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, is so confident in its Artisan Pizza recipes, it continues to push the boundaries of the industry’s tiresome advertising and is doing something it never would have imagined: telling customers “no.”

A new national campaign light-heartedly demonstrates the confidence Domino’s has in its Artisan Pizza recipes, and the importance of showing customers how special these four pizzas are – while debuting the latest flavor to its Artisan lineup: Chicken & Bacon Carbonara.

“We pride ourselves on saying ‘yes’ and giving people exactly what they want – especially considering there are more than 34 million ways to make a single Domino’s pizza,” said Russell Weiner, Domino’s Pizza chief marketing officer. “But our Artisan Pizza isn’t just any pizza – and what makes our four Artisan Pizza recipes special is that each was meticulously designed by our chefs to have the perfect balance of ingredients. If we put anything else on this pizza, it wouldn’t be Artisan.”

The Chicken & Bacon Carbonara is the first of Domino’s Artisan Pizzas to feature either topping – and boasts the hand-stretched dough and unique ingredients that those who didn’t think Domino’s could create a gourmet pizza have come to enjoy.

“While this latest of our many ‘Oh Yes We Did’ moments contains the word ‘no’ – we are confident that people will love these recipes as is,” said Weiner. “We hope they agree that when it comes to our Artisan Pizzas, ‘no is the new yes.’”

In addition, Domino’s will be giving away 75,000 Artisan Pizzas throughout four days beginning on Monday, April 9. The giveaway will be first come, first served – fans and consumers can find out more at facebook.com/dominos.

About Domino’s Pizza®

Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the recognized world leader in pizza delivery.  Domino’s is listed on the NYSE under the symbol “DPZ.”  As of the fourth quarter of 2011, through its primarily locally-owned and operated franchised system, Domino’s operated a network of 9,742 franchised and Company-owned stores in the United States and over 70 international markets.  Domino’s Pizza had global retail sales of over $6.9 billion in 2011, comprised of over $3.4 billion domestically and over $3.5 billion internationally.

In May 2011, Pizza Today named Domino’s its “Chain of the Year” for the second straight year – making the company a three-time overall winner, and the first pizza delivery company to receive the honor in back-to-back years.  In 2011, Domino’s was ranked #1 in Forbes Magazine’s “Top 20 Franchises for the Money” list.  Helped by the launch of its Domino’s Smart Slice school lunch pizza in late 2010, Domino’s is collaborating with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to serve healthier school foods and beverages in the United States.  In late 2009, Domino’s debuted its “Inspired New Pizza” – a permanent change to its hand-tossed product, reinvented from the crust up.

Order – http://www.dominos.com
Mobile – http://mobile.dominos.com
Info – http://www.dominosbiz.com
Twitter – http://twitter.com/dominos
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/Dominos

Serves up Free Pizzas on New Whole Wheat Crust

Stevi B's Pizza Celebrates Fourth Annual Free Pizza Day on April 29

Atlanta, GA  (Restaurant News Release)  Stevi B’s Pizza, the industry’s only national premium pizza buffet restaurant, today announces its fourth annual Free Pizza Day on Sunday, April 29. The featured pizza for this year’s giveaway will be the brand’s most popular signature pizza, the Loaded Baked Potato served on the newly introduced whole wheat crust.

Beginning today, consumers are invited to visit Stevi B’s national Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SteviBsPizza to download a coupon for “1 Free Regular Whole Wheat To-Go Pizza” by entering their email address and the Stevi B’s location they visit most.  The offer can then be used at any time on April 29.

“The Loaded Baked Potato has been a customer favorite for over fifteen years now,” explains Allyson Smith, chief marketing officer for Stevi B’s Pizza.  “It is exciting to be providing a new version of this specialty pizza to meet consumers’ demand for healthier options.”

Stevi B’s expects to give away more than 20,000 coupons for free pizza to customers during this annual promotion.

About Stevi B’s Pizza

Stevi B’s Pizza, the industry’s only national “premium” pizza buffet restaurant franchise, was founded in 1996 in Atlanta and is currently owned by Argonne Capital, an Atlanta private equity firm focused on growing restaurant and retail companies into category leaders. Recognized as a Top Ten Franchise Deal by QSR Magazine and ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2012 Franchise 500, Stevi B’s Pizza is a rapidly-growing brand with a 20 percent annual growth rate and 45 locations throughout the United States. Recognized for serving the highest quality pizzas “made from scratch”, Stevi B’s is a family friendly, community-driven brand that offers a distinct menu of specialty pizzas such as the Loaded Baked Potato, Chicken Fajita, Cheeseburger  and Spinach Alfredo served fresh and at a great value in an atmosphere that is fun for adults and children. Follow Stevi B’s Pizza on twitter at www.twitter.com/stevibs or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SteviBsPizza.  For more information, visit www.SteviBs.com or contact Stevi B’s by e-mail at info@SteviBs.com.

Pizzeria Bombola Burgers & Brews Serves Up a New Kind of Family-Friendly Dining in Lisle

Lisle, IL  (Restaurant News Release)  The greatly anticipated grand opening of Pizzeria Bombola Burgers & Brews on Thursday, March 29th, marked a refreshing change in the casual dining landscape prevalent in the western suburbs. Lisle Mayor Joe Broda, Lisle Chamber of Commerce President Tom Althoff and several chamber members attended in support of the village’s newest restaurant during the official ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday evening.

The completely renovated building has a contemporary, yet comfortable feeling. The service is efficient, without being overbearing and the mood is festive.

Unlike the classic pub and pizzeria fare offered by its competition, Bombola’s menu focuses on flavorfully-inspired thin-crust pizzas made from scratch with only the freshest ingredients, refreshing entrée salads and some surprising twists on the traditional fare. They also have a variety of burgers and add-ons from their Burger Bar. In addition to their half pound Angus burger, they also have a homemade turkey burger, an Alaskan salmon burger and are the first restaurant in the western suburbs to offer an unbelievably juicy “melt in your mouth” burger from Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors in New York.

The menu offers delicious vegetarian and gluten-free options, as well. Their full selection of craft brews, on draft or by the bottle, wines by the glass and a variety of flavorful spiked milkshakes and floats are sure to please any palate.

“We want people to leave their worries at the door, relax and enjoy themselves when they dine with us,” owner John Skoubis commented.

Another truly unique offering allows patrons to order six packs of beer and bottles of wine at competitive liquor store pricing with their take-out orders – a perfect pick-up for summer barbeques and parties.

Outdoor dining on the patio is available during the summer months and the restaurant also has a private party room which can accommodate up to 90 people for special occasions and corporate events.

“The owners and Chef Dino Benzanes put an extraordinary amount of effort into selecting the highest quality products, from the homemade dough and sauces to the large selection of craft brews and wines which complement the cuisine,” said the managing director of Kalkounos Consulting who directed staff training and advised on matters of operations.

Pizzeria Bombola Burgers & Brews

Cuisine Type: Family-focused casual American made with the highest quality freshest ingredients.

Location: 2901 Ogden Ave., Lisle, IL 60532

Phone: 630.922.4100

Web: http://pizzeriabombola.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pizzeria-Bombola/298134433548070

Grand Prize Winner Will Score a Trip for Two to Atlanta for a Coca-Cola® NASCAR VIP Experience

Coca-Cola and NASCAR Rev Up the Fun With an Instant Win Game & Sweepstakes at Pizza Inn

The Colony, TX  (Restaurant News Release)  Calling all NASCAR® fans. Coca-Cola® and Pizza Inn®, the international pizza chain of Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI), are revving up the fun with the Coca-Cola® and Pizza Inn® NASCAR® Instant Win & Sweepstakes.

Now through May 27, Pizza Inn fans are invited to visit www.cokeplaytowin.com/pizzainn to enter the grand prize sweepstakes and to play an instant win match game. The instant win game can be played each day for over 300 additional prizes including Pizza Inn Pizza Cards and Coca-Cola/Pizza Inn Racing Prize Packs.

The grand prize winner will receive VIP treatment with a trip for two to Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 30 – Sept. 3, with airfare, hotel accommodations and transportation to and from track events at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The grand prize winner and a guest will also be treated to a number of additional one of a kind VIP events, including:

• Attend a special Dinner with appearances from members of The Coca-Cola Racing Family
• Meet all members of The Coca-Cola Racing Family
• Hot Lap rides with a member of The Coca-Cola Racing Family at Atlanta Motor Speedway
• Tickets to the Saturday Nationwide Series event & the Sunday Sprint Cup Series event
• Receive passes for Coca-Cola trackside hospitality & Race Day Show with appearances from members of The Coca-Cola Racing Family
• Receive admission to World of Coca-Cola at Pemberton Place® & the Georgia Aquarium

“We are always looking for an exciting way to thank our loyal customers,” said Charlie Morrison, president and CEO of Pizza Inn Holdings. “This partnership with Coca-Cola® is the perfect adventure for our customers—instant wins every day and a grand prize that is an unforgettable experience!”

No purchase is required to enter or win, and the grand prize winner will be selected after May 27 from all entries received. Race fans can learn more about the sweepstake at www.facebook.com/pizzainn.

About Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc.

Headquartered in the Dallas suburb of The Colony, TX, Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc., is an owner, franchisor and supplier of a system of restaurants operating domestically and internationally under the trademarks “Pizza Inn” and “Pie Five Pizza Co.” Pizza Inn is an international pizza chain featuring traditional and specialty pizzas, as well as freshly made pastas, sandwiches, and desserts. Pie Five Pizza Co. is a new fast-casual concept offering individual pizzas made to order and cooked in less than five minutes. Founded in 1958, publicly traded Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI) franchises approximately 300 restaurants and directly owns and operates 10 restaurants. For more information, please visit www.pizzainn.com.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world’s most valuable brand, our Company’s portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of more than 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system employees. For more information, please visit www.thecoca-colacompany.com or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo.

Pie Five Celebrates Sixth Opening in Dallas-Fort Worth;

Five Lucky Guests to Win Free Pies for a Year

Pie Five Pizza Co. Now Open in Carrollton

The Colony, TX  (Restaurant News Release)  Pie Five Pizza Co., a subsidiary of Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI), today announced its sixth restaurant is now open at 3400 E. Hebron Parkway on the corner of Midway and Park, in Carrollton, Texas.

To celebrate the new opening, Pie Five is offering guests the opportunity to register to win free pizza for a year at www.piefivepizza.com.

“Pie Five has created a new way to experience pizza, and our guests love it,” said Charlie Morrison, president and CEO of Pizza Inn Holdings. “There’s been a tremendous demand from our Dallas-Fort Worth fans, and we’re proud to introduce our newest location in Carrollton.”

The new Pie Five is more than 2,000 square feet with seating for 69 guests and features dine-in and carry-out service.

Pie Five Pizza has grown to six locations in nine months. The rapidly expanding fast-casual chain will mark its first anniversary this June.

The Pie Five menu gives customers the option of choosing any sauce and fresh topping combinations or one of 12 specialty pies on the menu, assembled before them on a 9-inch Crispy Thin or Classic Pan crust, baked and ready to eat in less than five minutes.

Guests can enter to win free Pie Five for a year now through April 13. Five winners will be announced the week of April 16.

A complete menu and more information on Pie Five™ restaurants is available at www.piefivepizza.com. The company is also on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/PieFivePizza) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/PieFivePizza).

About Pie Five Pizza Co.

Pie Five Pizza Co. is a subsidiary of Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. Headquartered in the Dallas suburb of The Colony, Texas, Pizza Inn Holdings also oversees Pizza Inn, Inc., an international pizza chain with restaurants featuring traditional and specialty pizzas, as well as freshly made pastas, sandwiches, and desserts. Founded in 1958, publicly-traded Pizza Inn Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI) franchises approximately 300 restaurants and directly owns and operates 10 restaurants. More information is available at www.pizzainn.com.

Tony C's Coal Fired Pizza Introduces Left-Handed Pizza for the Lefty Community of Austin This Sunday, April 1st

Austin, TX  (Restaurant News Release)  In an effort to increase sales by 15 percent, Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza, Austin’s Original Coal Fired Pizza, today announced that it will target the 15 percent of the often left out left-handed community of Austin by introducing the left-handed pizza available beginning this Sunday. According to Scientific American, about 15 percent of the world’s population is left-handed.

Tony C’s will ensure that its left handed guests have the option of left-handed pizza and that all condiments at their tables are set in a way that will be left-handed friendly. Tony C’s will also top the left-handed  pizzas counter-clockwise to ensure there is more sauce and toppings for guests who are left-handed when they take their first bite.

“We believe that the first bite of pizza is the most important and memorable. Currently our left- handed guests are being shortchanged on their first bite. We have found that when the sauce and toppings are applied clockwise the first bite taken by left hand yields less toppings,” said Tony Ciola, owner of Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza. “The southpaw community is an underserved demographic in Austin.”

All right-handed and ambidextrous guests who prefer easing into the flavors may also order the left handed pizza beginning this Sunday.

About Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza

Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza is the original coal fired pizza restaurant in Austin. It offers a full menu of Italian dishes from antipasti, salads, entrees and desserts along with a large selection of wine. For the latest updates, “like” Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza at http://facebook.com/tonycspizza, or follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tonycspizza. More information can be found at http://tonycs.com.

Media Contact:
Joe Vasquez
VASQ PR
201.889.3340
joe@vasqpr.com

NPC International, Inc. Announces Closing of Successful Term Loan Refinancing

Overland Park, KS  (Restaurant News Release)  NPC International, Inc. (the “Company”) today announced that it has refinanced its outstanding $375 million term loan, availing itself of favorable market conditions and leveraging the Company’s strong close to fiscal 2011. The refinancing resulted in a 125 basis point reduction in the spread over LIBOR on the Company’s term loan borrowings and lowered the term loan LIBOR floor by 25 basis points. At prevailing LIBOR rates this action serves to reduce annual interest expense by approximately $5.6 million. The Company paid a soft call premium, in accordance with the terms of its Credit Agreement, plus transaction related expenses totaling approximately $4.9 million to effectuate the refinancing. No other changes were made to the Company’s senior credit facility in the refinancing.

Jim Schwartz, Chairman and CEO of NPC International, Inc., said, “We are pleased with the results of the term loan refinancing effort as the reduction in interest cost will meaningfully increase our free cash flow, thereby further improving the Company’s already strong deleveraging profile.”

Barclays and Goldman Sachs Bank USA served as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners for the transaction.

NPC International, Inc. is the world’s largest Pizza Hut franchisee and currently operates 1,187 Pizza Hut restaurants and delivery units in 28 states.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this news release that do not relate to historical or current facts constitute forward-looking statements. These include statements regarding our plans and expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. NPC’s actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including adverse changes in credit markets, lower than anticipated consumer discretionary spending; deterioration in general economic conditions; competition in the quick service restaurant market; adverse changes in food, labor and other costs; price inflation or deflation; adverse changes in the credit markets; and other factors. These risks and other risks are described in NPC’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made prior to its termination of voluntary reporting with the SEC in 2012, including NPC’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Copies of these filings may be obtained by contacting NPC. All forward-looking statements made in this news release are made as of the date hereof. NPC does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstances. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

This press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to buy or sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities.

Nation’s #1 Latino Pizza Brand Continues West Coast Expansion

Pizza Patron Opens New Store in Atwater, California

Atwater, CA  (Restaurant News Release)  California Brand Development has opened a new Pizza Patrón, the nation’s #1 Latino pizza brand, at 1847 Bellevue Road. This continues the partners’ development of the I-99 corridor with plans for 20 store openings within 48 months.

The store is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Call-in orders can be placed by dialing 209-357-9191.

“We are excited to be here and look forward to introducing the brand and its amazing food and unbeatable prices to the community,” said Dave Early, a partner with California Brand Development. “Our promise is ‘Más Pizza. Menos Dinero®.’ and we keep that real every day.”

Pizza Patrón makes its signature dough from scratch in every store daily. The pizza sauce starts with fresh-packed, crushed Roma tomatoes and marinates for at least 24 hours with the company’s secret blend of spices and herbs. The Atwater store will feature fountain service and will be market testing the company’s new ‘La Lonchera’ pizza by the slice program. Some of the menu items the new store will feature include large lista (ready, no waiting) pepperoni pizzas for $4.99 every day, QuesoStix™, Fiesta Wings™, Patrón Dips™ and large specialty pizzas like ‘La Toluqueña’ (pepperoni, ham & chorizo) starting at $6.99 every day.

“Atwater’s populations is 47.1 percent Hispanic, a Latino majority, and a perfect fit for our brand. We feel honored for the privilege to expand into this area and the opportunity to serve the Atwater community,” said Andrew Gamm, brand director for Pizza Patrón.

Pizza Patrón is headquartered in Dallas with 102 locations in 7 states and more than 80 under development, the company locates in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods. Franchise opportunities, offering a proven system for hard-working franchisee candidates, are available in prime Hispanic markets throughout the country.

A typical Pizza Patrón is a carry-out location with a footprint of about 1,200 square feet. Pizza Patrón also has branded restaurant models for any real estate option including inline drive-thru, dine-in or carry-out models as well as non-traditional sites like airports and campuses.

Pizza Patrón units will require an all-in investment of $199,300 to $464,000 per store with a franchise fee of $20,000.

About Pizza Patrón

Since 1986, Pizza Patrón has been committed to making its promise of “Más Pizza. Menos Dinero.®” a reality for every customer. From the beginning, the brand has been recognized for its ‘fresh-dough’ pizza, its low prices and its trademark “friendly, bicultural service.” In 2007, the company drew international media attention when it decided to accept Mexican Pesos at all of its restaurants, gaining over 500 million media impressions in the U.S. alone. Today, Pizza Patrón is the nation’s premier Latino pizza brand and remains dedicated to bringing its unique experience to life with every pizza made, and in every community it serves.

Website – www.pizzapatron.com
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pizzapatron
Twitter – http://www.twitter.com/pizzapatron

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers Opening in Bowling Green, Kentucky

Bowling Green, KY  (Restaurant News Release)  Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is proud to announce their newest opening in Bowling Green, K.Y., on Monday, March 26th. This Mellow is located at 1035 Chestnut Street, directly across from The Brickyard.

Owner Bob Holderfield is thrilled to bring Mellow to the downtown area. “It has always been a dream to open a Mellow in the downtown market, while incorporating an under-used space and developing it into a highly attractive concept for the community,” states Holderfield.

The menu features a variety of pizzas, hoagies, salads, calzones and appetizers, only using the highest quality ingredients. Options for vegetarians, vegans, kids, and those on a gluten-free diet are also available.

Each Mellow is designed in a unique art-filled environment. Holderfield describes, “The exterior of the white building is painted with a multi-color sound wave with a Rock and Roll theme, which previews the electrifying feel that you will experience once you enter the restaurant.” Some of the incredible pieces of art include:

• The world’s largest man-made mushroom standing 32 feet tall and spanning more than half of the main dining room
• Three-dimensional guitar vortex sculpture wrapping the open kitchen concept
• Backlit letters from the covers of Classic Rock album covers
• Large mural in the bar inspired by a Steve Miller Band concert poster from the late 60’s

This Mellow has something for everyone, including a private dining room and a seasonal patio with a fire pit. These are just a few details which enhance the warm, welcoming and family friendly environment that Mellow has to offer.

To complement the dining experience there is a full service bar with a great variety of craft beers, wine and cocktail options. Adventurous guests can join the Mellow Mushroom Beer Club and taste their way through 100 beers, receiving exciting members-only rewards along the way. The lively bar will feature trivia night, live music on the weekends and sporting events on 8 flat screen TVs.

The Mellow Mushroom will operate 7 days a week Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information on Mellow Mushroom Bowling Green, visit http://www.mellowmushroom.com and follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MellowMushroomBG.

About Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers was founded in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia. This franchise collection, operated under Home-Grown Industries of Georgia, Inc., is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. For 37 years, Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers has been serving up fresh stone baked pizzas to-order in an eclectic, art-filled and family-friendly environment. Each Mellow is locally-owned and operated with a unique feel focused around great customer service and high quality food.

Stevi B's Pizza Expanding in North Alabama

Atlanta, GA  (Restaurant News Release)  Stevi B’s Pizza, the industry’s only national premium pizza buffet restaurant, is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement to develop four Stevi B’s Pizza locations in North Alabama with new franchisees and Huntsville area residents Jim King and Chris Hunter.

“We took an exhaustive look at the fast casual segment and specifically the highly competitive pizza category and agreed that Stevi B’s has the most business potential,” explains Jim King. “In addition to elevating the category with a better quality product and upscale atmosphere, we think Stevi B’s does an amazing job of endearing itself to the local community which is important to us.”

King and Hunter, who operate a wide variety of business throughout North Alabama, have signed a development agreement to open Stevi B’s Pizza restaurants in the areas of Madison, Huntsville, Decatur and Florence, which are estimated to create about 100 jobs in the region.

“We are excited about the business acumen and community insight that Jim and Chris bring as franchisees of Stevi B’s Pizza,” said Matthew Loney, president and CEO of Stevi B’s Pizza.

King and Hunter are expected to open their first Stevi B’s location in Madison, Ala. by the end of 2012, joining the existing Alabama locations in Gadsden and Fort Payne.

About Stevi B’s Pizza

Stevi B’s Pizza, the industry’s only national “premium” pizza buffet restaurant franchise, was founded in 1996 in Atlanta and is currently owned by Argonne Capital, an Atlanta private equity firm focused on growing restaurant and retail companies into category leaders. Recognized as a Top Ten Franchise Deal by QSR Magazine and ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2012 Franchise 500, Stevi B’s Pizza is a rapidly-growing brand with a 20 percent annual growth rate and 45 locations throughout the United States. Recognized for serving the highest quality pizzas “made from scratch,” Stevi B’s is a family friendly, community-driven brand that offers a distinct menu of specialty pizzas such as the Loaded Baked Potato, Chicken Fajita, Cheeseburger and Spinach Alfredo served fresh and at a great value in an atmosphere that is fun for adults and children. Follow Stevi B’s Pizza on twitter at www.twitter.com/stevibs or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SteviBsPizza. For more information, visit www.SteviBs.com or contact Stevi B’s by e-mail at info@SteviBs.com.

Flippers Pizzeria prepares to enter the Tampa market, expanding its current reach beyond Orlando, Florida.

Flippers Pizzeria Signs A Multi-Unit Operating Agreement To Enter The Tampa Market

Orlando, FL  (Restaurant News Release)  Orlando pizza restaurant, Flippers Pizzeria, known for firing up fresh, handcrafted pizzas in their authentic brick-ovens, has successfully taken their 25-year-old concept to the national franchise arena, most recently, the Tampa pizza market.

Gerard Pickhardt, principal at Novita Tampa Bay, LLC, is leading the pizzeria’s entrance into the Tampa market. “The Tampa Bay market is perfect for this concept. We are excited about getting in on the ground floor with the Flippers franchise team. What is equally exciting is the quality, passion, integrity, charity and fun that are all part of the equation in this organization,” said Pickhardt.

Founded by Scott Kousaie and Todd Dennis in 1987, Flippers Pizzeria has become one of Central Florida’s favorite pizzerias. Since its inception, the mission of Flippers Pizzeria has always been to satisfy every customer through the company’s passion for the perfect pizza. Today, with eleven locations throughout Central Florida and new restaurants in the works, that commitment remains the same.

The team has created an environment that focuses on a culture of excellence, utilizing only the freshest ingredients, and pairing it with a rigorous quality control program.

“We firmly believe that we have what it takes to become a nationally recognized brand,” says co-founder, Scott Kousaie. According to Kousaie, the pizzeria has a product and a business model that fills a void in the industry. “It’s our goal to satisfy every customer through our passion for the perfect pizza while offering other great menu items that complement our brick oven specialty pizzas,” says Kousaie.

In addition to authentic brick-oven baked pizzas, a variety of appetizers, flatbreads, salads, pastas, and sandwiches round out the menu, offering a blend of traditional and healthy menu options. “Paired with beer and wine, the experience at Flippers is as diverse as the customer wants it to be,” says Kousaie. That experience also extends beyond the Flippers door. Customers have the option of enjoying fast, fresh carry out or delivery. They can also order online through the company’s website and soon–a new iPhone application.

Flippers selected Chute Gerderman, a prominent national branding and design firm to enhance the business’ corporate identity and interior design palette. The agency redesigned the Flippers logo, packaging, brand language, signage, and various graphic elements. Investing in this reputable brand-development company allowed executives to take the brand to a franchise market, which would promote brand consistency and ease of opening new locations.

Today’s interiors reflect the company’s “fresh, friendly, fun” manifesto. Bright, energizing colors cover the restaurant walls; large cans of tomatoes, framed artwork of fresh ingredients, bottles of extra virgin olive oil, and sleek directionals enhance the experience. Dark stained concrete floors, exposed ceiling beams, comfortable booths, high-top bar, and even a bright red, solid oak communal table have also been worked into the signature Flippers design.

The centerpiece of every Flippers restaurant is the brick oven cooking and prep area. It calls attention to the pizzeria’s signature Marsal brick ovens. This unique oven results in more evenly cooked pizzas that channel the rustic origins and traditions of old-world hearth ovens. The prep area also features a variety of fresh ingredients that are prepared daily.

Through the years, Flippers executives have continued to enhance the Flippers Pizzeria experience, which is rooted in attentive customer service and customer satisfaction. Today, that mission continues to be the inspiration behind multiple Flippers Pizzeria locations. Both new franchise and corporate stores have also been opened and many more are being planned to open in 2012.

“All senior management at Flippers Pizzeria were very forthright and credible throughout the entire process. In fact, everyone from the general managers to the servers and drivers are solid, hard working people. It became clear that the entire organization, from the very top on down, understands that ‘customer,’ is not just a word, it is lived every day,” said Pickhardt.

Combining a great customer experience with always-fresh, high-quality food items is one of the many key components to the success of the pizzeria, which is currently celebrating its 25th year in Central Florida.

About Flippers Pizzeria

“Fresh Honest Ingredients.” From authentic brick-oven baked pizzas and pastas, to handcrafted calzones and flatbreads, Flippers Pizzeria maintains consistency in taste and freshness. Customers have the option of enjoying a delicious Flippers meal in the comfortable, family-friendly environment of their restaurants or the convenience of pick-up and delivery services, as well as Orlando catering services. Flippers Pizzeria is one of the only delivery services offering the quality of authentic brick-oven-baked pizza. Online ordering is available. Follow Flippers Pizzeria on Facebook (facebook.com/flipperspizzeria) and Twitter (@flipperspizzaus).

Contact
Scott Kousaie
Flippers Pizzeria
407-938-9614
http://flipperspizzeria.com

Owner of Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ to Open SPIN!  Locations in Southern California

SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza's First Franchise Lands in L.A.

Kansas City, MO  (Restaurant News Release)  SPIN!Neapolitan Pizza has completed an agreement with Craig Hofman, owner of Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ^®, to develop 35 SPIN! ^® restaurants in Southern California. Hofman, who has 15 Lucille’s locations in California, Arizona and Nevada, will be the company’s first franchisee.

Award-winning SPIN! is known for its exceptional, artisan food made from fresh ingredients without the gourmet price, its eclectic, affordable premium wines and its community involvement. SPIN! owners and operators Gail and Richard Lozoff and Edwin Brownell also developed Bagel & Bagel, which started in Kansas City, Mo. and became Einstein Bros. Bagels.

“We created SPIN! because of our passion for pizza, salad and wine. But we began early on to build the structure and systems to support a multi-unit operation with a prototype that can be easily designed, built, run and marketed on a local or market-wide level,” says co-owner Gail Lozoff. ”We’re thrilled that Craig and his team want to take SPIN! into their home market.”

Co-owner Ed Brownell says Kansas City-based SPIN! will be a great fit in southern California. “When we were introduced to the Lucille’s culture and operations, we felt it reflected SPIN!’s and were comfortable that they would do a great job with our brand. Our hope is that a California presence will give SPIN! additional visibility. We’d like to attract culturally compatible restaurateurs, like Craig, who may be interested in bringing SPIN! to other strategically located markets.”

Like SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza, franchisee Hofman’s current operations also value team members and prepare food from scratch. “I was prepared to create my own Neapolitan pizza concept until I discovered SPIN!,” says Hofman. “Their great pizzas and salads were so good that I did not think I could improve the recipes. The culture of quality and excellence that Ed, Gail and Richard have created fits well with our core values for operating restaurants.”

SPIN! was named one of the “Rest of the 101 Best Restaurants” in the nation by top foodie website TheDailyMeal.com. Its Margherita Pizza was crowned one of the nation’s best dishes of 2011 by a national restaurant magazine, its architecture won Best of Show at the Mid America Design Awards, and the SPIN! brand has been featured in numerous graphic design publications.

Since opening its first location in 2005, SPIN! has been awarded “best pizza” by many Greater Kansas City publications. SPIN!’s menu is created in collaboration with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Smith.

In addition to a variety of hand-spun traditional thin-and-bubbly crust, rustic whole wheat, and gluten-free stone fired pizzas, SPIN! serves an array of appetizers, soups, salads, signature panini and Italian deli sandwiches, and gelato ice creams. All of SPIN!’s soups, salad dressings, pizza toppings and ingredients are prepared daily from fresh produce and meats.

SPIN!’s pizza dough is made fresh every day using several types of flour including one specially imported from Italy. All the toppings – such as mushrooms, caramelized onions, tomatoes, artichokes, even chicken sausage and pancetta (Italian bacon) – are roasted each morning in a stone hearth oven. A variety of cheeses are hand grated. The menu features both traditional Pizza Rossa (red pizzas with crushed roma tomato base) and Pizza Bianca (white pizzas with roasted olive oil glaze).

SPIN! serves a variety of affordable premium wines priced well below traditional restaurant prices.

In addition to its wines and artisan menu, Brownell says that SPIN!’s customer and community focused operations will support its success outside its home market.

SPIN!’s unique service system is easier to manage while providing guests with both the comfort of a full-service experience and control over the time they spend in the restaurant. “The usual waiting for servers to take orders, bring drinks and cash out checks is eliminated from our guests’ time at their table,” says Brownell. “We take care of all that at the beginning of their visit, so our distinctive personal approach frees servers to interact more with guests. It helps differentiate our guests’ experience from virtually every other restaurant,” Brownell says.

Lozoff adds that SPIN! is unique in that many small-footprint restaurant franchisors use a rapid market penetration strategy to build a national brand, often addressing local level brand building as an afterthought. “We believe strongly that the building of relationships with staff, guests and our community is key to our success. Programs like our SPIN! Club were created to enhance relationships and communication both inside and out of our restaurants and have been integrated into our operational systems since we opened,” she says. “Our concept is designed to successfully market each location by offering a distinctive experience as a local neighborhood spot. We believe that SPIN! will become a strong national brand by building strong local restaurants.”

SPIN! is owned and operated by Gail and Richard Lozoff and Edwin Brownell, who are experienced in large multi-unit expansion, franchising, and operations. For information, please visit www.spinpizza.com.

About SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza

Award-winning SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza is known for its exceptional, artisan food made from fresh ingredients without the gourmet price and its eclectic, affordable premium wines. SPIN! has been

named best pizza by every major Greater Kansas City publication, one of the “Rest of the 101 Best Restaurants” in the nation by top foodie website TheDailyMeal.com, its Margherita Pizza was crowned one of the nation’s best dishes of the year by Restaurant Business magazine, and its architecture won Best of Show at the Mid America Design Awards. SPIN!’s menu is created in

collaboration with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Smith. Founded in 2005, SPIN! has four locations with two more under construction in the Greater Kansas City area and has announced its first franchise will be located in Southern California. This is the second national concept created by SPIN! co-owners Gail and Richard Lozoff and Edwin Brownell, who are experienced in large multi-unit expansion, franchising, and operations. www.spinpizza.com.

Editor’s Note

SPIN! (all caps with an exclamation point) is the registered name. Thank you.

Media Contact:
Lauren Fasbinder
Fasbinder & Associates
913-685-0700
lfasbinder@fasbinderpr.com

Tony C's Coal Fired Pizza Challenges National Pizza Chains and Local Pizza Restaurants by Giving Away One 12-Inch Two-Topping Pizza Valued at $12 for Every New Facebook "Like"

Austin, TX  (Restaurant News Release)  Just in time for March Madness, Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza, the original coal fired pizza restaurant in Austin, has rolled out Pizza Madness on Facebook.  Every user who clicks “like” on Facebook starting today will receive one whole 12-inch two-topping coal fired pizza of their choice valued at $12 when they redeem it at Tony C’s, which is located at the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave, TX.

Just like March Madness, this special Facebook offer will not last forever. New users who “like” http://facebook.com/tonycspizza will be directed on how they will receive their coupon, which can be redeemed for the free 12-inch two-topping pizza. The special Facebook offer is limited to one per table per visit, valid for dine-in service only and must be redeemed before its expiration date. Additional restrictions may apply.

“We want to educate our guests about the difference between coal-fired pizza and the pizza offered by national chains and other Italian restaurants in the neighborhood,” said Tony Ciola, owner of Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza. “Just like the Cinderella teams who have made history during March Madness, we are confident that our little gourmet pizza restaurant in Austin will win guests over to love coal-fired pizza versus what’s offered by others.”

The new Facebook app, developed by Pictoric Media Group, an Austin-based full-service multimedia marketing group specializing in the restaurant sector, is designed to secure new Facebook “likes” and bring those new fans into the restaurant. The new Facebook app will automatically post updates on the user’s timeline as well as capture email addresses.  It is an innovative app that utilizes social media marketing that drives in-store traffic.

About Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza

Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza is the original coal fired pizza restaurant in Austin. It offers a full menu of Italian dishes from antipasti, salads, entrees and desserts along with a large selection of wine. For the latest updates, “like” Tony C’s Coal Fired Pizza at http://facebook.com/tonycspizza, or follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tonycspizza. More information can be found at http://tonycs.com.

Media Contact
Joe Vasquez
VASQ PR
201.889.3340
joe@vasqpr.com

Grimaldi's Pizzeria announces its Fifth Location in Florida

Scottsdale, AZ  (Restaurant News Release)  Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, famously known for their award-winning hand-tossed, coal-fired brick oven pizzas and calzones, fresh salads and delicious desserts is announcing its newest location, in Tampa, Florida. Located at 8021 Citrus Park Town Center Mall, the restaurant will be one of the newest additions to Westfield Citrus Park Mall. The restaurant will offer 4,000-square-feet of indoor dining and patio space, for 150 guests.

Opening this fall, guests will be welcomed by Frank Sinatra crooning in the background, more than 100-years of pizza making traditions, and the tantalizing aroma of pizza and calzones baked to perfection in the signature coal-burning oven.

“We see a lot of opportunity in Florida and are excited to bring our New York style pizzeria to this region. We’ve found that the communities and properties are some of the best in the country,” said Joey Ciolli, president and chief executive officer of Grimaldi’s Pizzeria. “Guests will feel comfortable, enjoying our coal-fired brick oven pizza, great service and all around great price.”

Currently, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria operates four locations in Florida and they continue to scout for additional communities in the region. They have shown tremendous growth and have promised to continue their expansion plans throughout the country in 2012. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria currently has twenty-seven locations across the US, including Texas, Nevada, Arizona, and its flagship stores in New York City.

In the world of pizza, Grimaldi’s is an institution that has garnered more awards than any other pizzeria in the country with more celebrity sightings than most 5-star restaurants. Using only the freshest ingredients, a “secret recipe” pizza sauce, handmade mozzarella cheese and dough, Grimaldi’s serves traditional pizza (as it began in Naples, Italy) in an upscale yet casual, family oriented pizzeria.

Designed and built by hand, the coal-fired oven at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria delivers a unique flavor and consistency that is just not possible from wood or gas ovens. Weighing in at 25 tons and heated by 100 pounds of coal per day (cleanest burning fuel available and environmentally tested), the oven heats up to 1,200 degrees. The intense heat of the oven evenly bakes the pies to create Grimaldi’s famous crispy and smoky thin crust that Zagat has voted best pizza year after year.

It has been said that the secret to true New York-style pizza is the water. Grimaldi’s believes that too, going to great lengths to keep the integrity of the water used in the Brooklyn pizzeria by hiring a chemist to analyze and recreate the mineral content and exact composition of the water to ensure the dough tastes the same in Florida.

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria wholly owns and operates locations in Arizona, Texas, New York, Nevada, and Florida. Additional locations in Grapevine TX and Mt Pleasant, SC are on the drawing board.

Grimaldi’s offers guests a selection of beers as well as an extensive list of wines (by the glass and bottle) to complement their freshly prepared salads, hand tossed pizzas and calzones and famous desserts. For more information on Grimaldi’s Pizzeria visit www.grimaldispizzeria.com.

Contact:
Brittany Maroney
bmaroney@grimaldispizzeria.com
480-947-7100

Gatti's Pizza Announces New President And Chief Executive Officer

Austin, TX  (Restaurant News Release)  Austin based Gatti’s Pizza, announces the addition of top industry talent to lead the heritage pizza company into new and exciting territory. Blue Sage Capital, a private equity investment firm and owner of the iconic pizza brand, has hired restaurant industry executive Richard Snead as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Blue Sage Capital co-founding partner, Jim McBride, explains, “Gatti’s Pizza is a mature brand at the crossroads of reinvention. It’s a tough, but exciting category that faces several challenges but has significant opportunities. We are extremely fortunate to find a leader of Richard’s caliber. After an extensive, nationwide search we are confident that Richard’s experience, skill set and personality are the perfect fit to grow the Gatti’s brand and navigate the complexities of this business.”

Richard says, “Returning to this great industry and joining Gatti’s Pizza was a very personal decision. The pizza category is being “re-born” much like hamburgers have been. Flavor, Fresh and Fast are sweet spots. Gatti’s Pizza heritage is uniquely suited in this opportunity. We intend to be players. “

Mr. Snead, is a recognized restaurant veteran with more than 30 years of experience. Most recently he worked for Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, Inc. where he led casual dining giant TGI Friday’s to category leading success. As President and Chief Executive Officer for Carlson Restaurants, Richard led global teams for over 800 T.G.I. Friday’s and 100 Pick Up Stix restaurants. Under Richards’s direction, combined system sales grew to approximately $3B in 47 states and 60 countries. Previously Mr. Snead worked for the Burger King Corporation where he held positions of SVP Development, EVP Operations, and President of International. He has received industry recognition including a Golden Chain Award, Restaurant Industry Operator of the Year Award, and Carlson was named as a Great Place to Work in Texas for 3 years in a row. He is a graduate from the University of Tennessee in Engineering and has served for 9 years on the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors. He is married to his wife Marilyn and has two sons, Adam and Eric.

About Gatti’s Pizza

Based in Austin, Texas, Gatti’s Pizza (Mr. Gatti’s, LP) is a privately held company with franchises in thirteen states located throughout the Southwest, Southeast and Midwest. The first Gatti’s location opened in 1969 in Austin, TX.

For more information, please contact: Granya Gormley, VP, Human Resources and Training, Gatti’s Pizza. Email: ggormley@gattispizza.com. Phone: 512.744.4987.  http://www.gattispizza.com

Papa John's Launches Limited Time Offer Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Louisville, KY  (Restaurant News Release)  Continuing its commitment to “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.”, Papa John’s today unveiled nationwide its new Buffalo Chicken pizza – a savory combination of creamy ranch sauce, all-white sliced chicken strips, crispy bacon, fresh-sliced onions and 100% real cheese made from mozzarella, all topped with a tangy, spicy buffalo sauce.

A large Buffalo Chicken pizza is available for just $10 beginning today at Papa John’s restaurants nationwide, and online at www.papajohns.com.

“Consumers have spoken and we’ve listened,” said Andrew Varga, chief marketing officer for Papa John’s International, Inc. “America told us that they wanted Buffalo Chicken and that bacon was a favorite. We’ve combined the two and delivered an exciting new pizza just in time for basketball tournament season. We think that this is a pizza all fans will agree upon.”

Buffalo Chicken pizza is a limited-time offering pizza and will be available at Papa John’s restaurants throughout the U.S. through the end of April.

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) is the world’s third largest pizza company. For 10 of the past 12 years, consumers have rated Papa John’s No. 1 in customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Papa John’s also was honored by Restaurants & Institutions Magazine (R&I) with the 2009 Gold Award for Consumers’ Choice in Chains in the pizza segment. Papa John’s is the Official Pizza Sponsor of the National Football League and Super Bowl XLVI and XLVII. For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Papa John’s at www.papajohns.com.

Contact

Papa John’s International, Inc.
Tish Muldoon, 502-261-4987
Senior Director, Public Relations
tish_muldoon@papajohns.com

The Loop Pizza Grill Introduces a Taste of Spring with a New Spinach Salad

Jacksonville, FL  (Restaurant News Release)  As spring rolls in, the air is crisper and nature begins to flourish. The Loop Pizza Grill is embodying the season with a fresh new Spinach Salad.

This salad is sure to become a fan favorite when it shows up as a limited-time-only menu item on Sunday, April 1. Each healthy serving comes on a base of green spinach leaves that are mixed with crispy bacon, hearty mushrooms and crunchy red onions. It’s all tossed in The Loop’s own sweet red wine vinaigrette.

“We are always looking add our flare and flavor to classic favorites,” Cathy Manzon, The Loop Marketing Director said. “Spinach salads will always be popular, but ours includes ingredients that all work together for a unique and refreshing spring entrée.”

The Loop’s Spinach Salad will cost $7.99. It will be available at all 14 locations until Monday, May 28.

While The Loop Pizza Grill is well-known for its made-to-order burgers, specialty pizzas and grilled sandwiches, its salads are also a hit with health-conscious guests. The Spinach Salad will join other favorites including Goat Cheese, Walnut and Cranberry, Greek and Asian.

For more information on The Loop, visit http://www.looppizzagrill.com.

About The Loop

The Loop Pizza Grill is a neighborhood fast-casual restaurant that offers the quality and atmosphere of a full-service dining establishment. As a pioneer of the fast-casual segment for 30 years, The Loop Pizza Grill was one of the first restaurants to offer a variety of made-to-order fresh foods in an upscale environment. The Loop serves a variety of signature pizzas, burgers, salads, sandwiches and hand-dipped milkshakes. Open for lunch and dinner, the average sales volume per restaurant is $1.2 million, with guest checks averaging $10. Based in Jacksonville, Fla., The Loop Pizza Grill was founded by Mike and Terry Schneider in 1981 as a 60-seat restaurant. Today there are 14 locations in three states. For more information, visit http://www.looppizzagrill.com.

Media Contact:
Cathy Manzon
Director of Marketing
(904) 268-2609 ext. 203
cmanzon ( @ ) looppizzagrill dot com

Crazy Things Can Happen With Little Caesars Pizza!

Detroit, MI  (Restaurant News Release)  Little Caesars is offering basketball fans a chance to score with a free order of Crazy Bread® at participating Little Caesars restaurants on Monday, March 19, 2012. If any 16-seeded team beats a 1-seeded team in a crazy, unexpected victory in the games played on March 15 and 16 of the 2012 college men’s basketball championship tournament, Little Caesars will give away one free Crazy Bread to every family that mentions the free Crazy Bread offer at the store.

“If a crazy thing happens and there’s an upset, it’ll be a slam dunk for Crazy Bread lovers,” said Ed Gleich, senior vice president of global marketing, Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. “And, if the number ones prevail, fans can still catch a great deal at Little Caesars with our high quality, large HOT-N-READY® pepperoni pizza for just $5, or the 3 Meat Treat® with pepperoni, sausage and bacon for just $8. Either way, customers win!”

Crazy Bread is Little Caesars’ most popular side item: eight warm sticks of freshly baked bread, topped with the flavors of butter and garlic, then heavily sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

Offer Details:

• If any of the 16-seeded college men’s basketball championship tournament teams from the four regions beat a 1-seeded team during the games played March 15 – 16, 2012, Little Caesars will give away one free order of Crazy Bread to every family that goes to a store and mentions the offer on Monday, March 19, 2012.
• Limited to one Crazy Bread (eight piece order), per family. Sauce extra.
• Valid only on Monday, March 19, 2012, while supplies last.
• Valid at participating locations.
• No purchase is necessary.
• Little Caesars and the free Crazy Bread promotion is neither affiliated nor associated in any way with any collegiate basketball team, league or association.
• Upon request, complete terms and conditions of the promotion will be available at the participating locations and at LittleCaesars.com on March 15, 2012.

Available at participating restaurants nationwide, Little Caesars’ $5 HOT-N-READY® pizza is a large, 14” pepperoni or cheese pizza that’s ready when customers are, with no waiting or need to call ahead. Customers simply go to their Little Caesars store, and fresh pizzas are ready to carry out.

Each Little Caesars HOT-N-READY pizza is made with high quality ingredients including naturally-aged mozzarella cheese, dough made fresh daily in the stores and sauce made with tomatoes picked at the peak of ripeness and a secret blend of spices that customers love.

In addition to pizza, core HOT-N-READY menu items at Little Caesars stores include Caesar Wings®, Caesar Dips® and more. Customers can locate their closest Little Caesars store by visiting LittleCaesars.com.

In business for more than 50 years, Little Caesars has become an industry leader by offering quality products and outstanding value to customers, including the “Pizza!Pizza!®” offering and most recently, the convenient, value-oriented HOT-N-READY offering. Little Caesars has been named the “Best Value in America”* for the fifth year in a row among all major quick-serve restaurant chains across America. The national recognition came from one of the largest research studies in the food industry, Sandelman & Associates’ Quick-Track® research study.

About Little Caesars

Little Caesars Pizza is currently the largest international carry-out chain, with restaurants on four continents. The company’s founders, Michael and Marian Ilitch, opened their first restaurant in Garden City, Michigan in 1959. In 2010, Little Caesars added more stores around the world than any other pizza chain.

Little Caesars is growing in prime markets, offering strong franchisee candidates the opportunity for independence with a proven system. In addition, Little Caesars supports its franchisees through strong brand awareness with one of the most recognized and appealing characters in the country, Little Caesar.

Mike and Marian Ilitch’s other companies in the food, sports and entertainment industries include: the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment, Olympia Development, Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, Champion Foods, Ilitch Holdings, Inc., Uptown Entertainment, Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program, and a variety of venues within these entities. In addition, Michael Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers and Marian Ilitch owns MotorCity Casino Hotel.

For more information about Little Caesars and available franchise opportunities, visit www.LittleCaesars.com or call 1.800.553.5776.

* “Highest-Rated Chain – Value for the Money” based on a nationwide survey of quick-service restaurant consumers conducted by Sandelman & Associates, 2007 – 2011.

Pizza Hut to Deliver Free Pizza Across America if a No. 16 Seed Upsets a No. 1 Seed

10 Seed Bandwagon to Provide Pizza Perks to No. 10-seeded Schools

Join the Underdog Bandwagon with Pizza Hut

Dallas, TX  (Restaurant News Release)  As college basketball fans across America prepare to select their Cinderella teams to make a run in the tournament, Pizza Hut has made a bold move in support of the tourney’s ultimate underdogs.  If in a twist of basketball madness a No. 1 seed is upset by a No. 16 seed, Pizza Hut will embark on a tour to deliver celebratory pizzas across the country.  Additionally, the Pizza Hut 10 Seed Bandwagon will support the No. 10 seeded schools in honor of the new $10 Dinner Box by hosting $10 Dinner Box parties for their fans.

“The founders of Pizza Hut were underdogs themselves, starting a global brand from the ground up,” said Kurt Kane, Chief Marketing Officer at Pizza Hut.  “We are again cheering for the underdogs in this year’s tournament rooting for the ultimate upset and with the launch of our new $10 Dinner Box we are backing the No. 10 seeds to go all the way!”

If the ultimate upset takes place – a No. 16 seed dethroning a No. 1 seed – Pizza Hut will embark on a cross-country journey in the brand’s mobile kitchen.  The Pizza Hut celebration tour will travel to each of the 48 contiguous states in the United States to hand out free slices of pizza at designated locations.  More information about the tour will be unveiled if the upset occurs.

Since 1985, 108 men’s college basketball teams earning No. 16 seeds have battled No. 1 seeds.  All 108 teams have returned home in defeat.  Pizza lovers from coast to coast will keep their fingers crossed that 2012 is the year of the ultimate Cinderella story.

Amidst all the hoop-la, Pizza Hut is adopting the four No. 10 seeds and feeding their fans in honor of the deliciously-packed $10 Dinner Box, which includes a medium one-topping rectangular pan pizza, five breadsticks with marinara sauce and 10 cinnamon sticks with a sweet icing cup.  As soon as the tournament teams are declared, the Pizza Hut 10 Seed Bandwagon will descend on each school’s campus to pump up the celebration and cheer each team on.  $10 Dinner Box pre-game parties will also be hosted in the cities where the teams are playing to energize the fans throughout the dramatic buzzer beaters to come.

Keep up with Pizza Hut via Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/PizzaHut) and Twitter (@pizzahut) and join in the Cinderella story celebration.

About Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut, America’s Favorite Pizza, delivers more pizza, pasta and wings than any other restaurant. The only pizza company to be named a top ten franchise in 2012 by Entrepreneur Magazine, Pizza Hut began 50 years ago in Wichita, Kansas, and today operates nearly 10,000 restaurants in more than 90 countries. Pizza Hut, Inc. is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM). To check out what’s new at Pizza Hut visit PizzaHut.com, or keep up with the brand via its social media channels at social.PizzaHut.com.

Serves up Traditional Pies on Whole Wheat Crust

Stevi B's Pizza Launches Healthier Options

Atlanta, GA  (Restaurant News Release)  Stevi B’s Pizza, the industry’s only national premium pizza buffet restaurant, today introduces its new whole wheat pizza crust as a part of its commitment to offer healthier options to customers. Having always prided itself on allowing its customers to customize their pizza experience, Stevi B’s Pizza’s system-wide whole wheat product launch enables customers to further customize their experience with an eye toward healthier alternatives.

“For Stevi B’s Pizza, the addition of a healthier whole wheat crust was a natural evolution, building upon not only our commitment to customer customization but also our commitment to providing new healthier options,” said Allyson Smith, chief marketing officer for Stevi B’s Pizza.

The new whole wheat crust has over 50 percent more fiber than the traditional crust, while still providing the premium taste that Stevi B’s Pizza consumers have come to expect.  In addition to enjoying all of the Stevi B’s specialty pizzas on whole wheat, customers will also be able to request breadsticks, dessert pizzas, or their own pizza creation on the new whole wheat crust.

“Consumers today are demanding healthier options and Stevi B’s is evolving its menu to meet these demands,” explains Matthew Loney, president and chief executive officer of Stevi B’s Pizza.

Other healthy options at Stevi B’s Pizza include a customizable salad bar offering 17 toppings, a spinach alfredo pizza, a tomato alfredo pizza, and 100 percent real fruit juice.

About Stevi B’s Pizza

Stevi B’s Pizza, the industry’s only national “premium” pizza buffet restaurant franchise, was founded in 1996 in Atlanta and is currently owned by Argonne Capital, an Atlanta private equity firm focused on growing restaurant and retail companies into category leaders. Recognized as a Top Ten Franchise Deal by QSR Magazine and ranked in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2012 Franchise 500, Stevi B’s Pizza is a rapidly-growing brand with a 20 percent annual growth rate and 45 locations throughout the United States. Recognized for serving the highest quality pizzas “made from scratch”, Stevi B’s is a family friendly, community-driven brand that offers a distinct menu of specialty pizzas such as the Loaded Baked Potato, Chicken Fajita, Cheeseburger  and Spinach Alfredo served fresh and at a great value in an atmosphere that is fun for adults and children. Follow Stevi B’s Pizza on twitter at www.twitter.com/stevibs or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SteviBsPizza.  For more information, visit www.SteviBs.com or contact Stevi B’s by e-mail at info@SteviBs.com.

Media Contact:
Allyson Smith
Stevi B’s Pizza
asmith@stevibs.com
678-738-7804

Company allocates $5 million to assist new franchisees with access to financing

CiCi's Pizza Fuels Franchise Growth With Innovative Development and Financing Incentives

Copell, TX  (Restaurant News Release)  Today CiCi’s Pizza, home of the custom pizza buffet, announced its new investment and financing programs to help existing and prospective franchisees with funding options to further address the challenges of today’s lending environment. The new programs are part of the CiCi’s “Build the Brand” initiative to add 500 new restaurants by 2020.

Through its Franchisee Investment Program, CiCi’s has allocated $5 million to provide select qualified multi-unit franchisees with the necessary funds to open a minimum of five restaurants. CiCi’s will invest $100,000 per restaurant towards development and in doing so the company will become a non-voting minority shareholder. After certain financial milestones are met, CiCi’s will roll over the initial $100,000 into the development of a second restaurant.

“As the restaurant industry begins to show signs of improvement, we recognize a growing optimism among operators and a desire to expand their portfolios,” said CiCi’s Pizza Chief Financial Officer Forbes Anderson. “We created the Franchisee Investment Program to provide experienced multi-unit operators with the direct access to credit they need in order to develop new restaurants.”

To further address the current economic climate, CiCi’s has created several financing and incentive programs for existing franchisees that are focused on accelerating new openings within the current year or increasing multi-unit operators’ annual development schedules. These benefits include reduced franchise and royalty fees, as well as potential to receive a franchise fee refund for those that meet the specific program guidelines.

Furthermore, the company announced the CiCi’s Patriot Program last month to increase business ownership and job opportunities for veterans. For qualified, honorably discharged veterans, CiCi’s will waive the franchise fee for the first restaurant and offer 50 percent off royalty fees for the first full year of operation, a savings of approximately $58,000.

“With our highly competitive incentive programs in place, our goal is to encourage development and continue to fuel CiCi’s ‘Build the Brand’ growth initiative,” said CiCi’s Pizza Chief Development Officer Bill Spae. “We look forward to adding new franchisees to our family who are passionate about the brand and the communities they serve.”

CiCi’s Pizza is actively seeking multi-unit and single-unit operators to grow in Southern California, the Mid-Atlantic, the Northeast and South Florida, as well as select cities in Texas and other regions across the U.S.

Candidates interested in opening a CiCi’s Pizza restaurant should possess a passion for the brand and serving guests and families in a fast-paced environment. Franchisees are required to demonstrate a minimum of $250,000 in liquid capital, a net worth of $750,000 per unit, and a credit score of 720 or better. For more information on franchising, visit http://www.cicispizza.com/franchising or call 972-745-9316.

About CiCi’s Pizza

Coppell, Texas-based CiCi’s Pizza opened its first restaurant in Plano, Texas in 1985, and is now one of the nation’s fastest growing pizza chains. The family-oriented restaurant, known for its pizza, pasta, salad, soup and dessert buffet, has about 600 restaurants in 35 states. In 2011, Zagat recognized CiCi’s on its list of most child-friendly fast-food chains, and Entrepreneur named CiCi’s first in its category on the Franchise 500 list. In 2010, CiCi’s was named to Inc. Magazine’s top 5,000 list, and to Parents’ list of top family-friendly restaurants. Nation’s Restaurant News ranked CiCi’s No. 1 in sales and unit growth among pizza chains for the past four years.

For more information about CiCi’s, visit www.cicispizza.com or www.facebook.com/cicis.