From its beginnings more than 50 years ago, Little Caesars Pizza has provided the opportunity for generations of families to live the American Dream as independent business owners. Matt Kauffman, a multi-unit franchise owner in London, Ky., has found the opportunity to partner with other family members in their Little Caesars business a rewarding professional experience. “Our professional skills complement each other well, and 23 years later, I can honestly say it was the best idea we have ever had. There is no doubt that I too will pass along the same opportunity to my children,” he said.

In 1978, his father, Robert, owned a construction company that was building hundreds of new Little Caesars locations throughout Kentucky. Matt was in high school at the time, helping occasionally with his father’s construction business. When Matt turned 20, together they decided to open a location.

“With my father’s construction knowledge and my ability to handle internal operations, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to become entrepreneurs with such a well-known brand,” said Matt Kauffman.

Today, the Kauffmans have built the business to include seven Little Caesars locations. Robert, who is still actively involved in the business partnership, is proud to partner with his son.

“Working with family members can give you a great sense of security, knowing that you can rely on them when needed and they have your best interests at heart,” he said. “Whether they are helping staff grow professionally or balancing the books, you can trust them to get the job done.”

The Stewart Family in North Florida

Little Caesars’ family-oriented business opportunity led Scott Stewart to invest in the brand in 1986. More than two decades later, he owns eight Little Caesars Pizza franchise locations in North Florida and works closely with three family members to run the business.

“When I invested in my first Little Caesars location, my wife and I we were preparing to start a family. We were looking for a business investment opportunity that I could grow and pass on to our future children,” said Stewart, whose wife and two sons, Chad and Mike, and son-in-law, Jerid Cady, are active in the business today.

“After learning about Little Caesars’ business model, I realized it was a perfect chance to be part of a company that supports family involvement.”

Throughout the years, all six of Scott’s children helped in different aspects of operations from making pizzas to customer service.

“I became involved with my dad’s business six years ago and learned skills that will continue to benefit me well into my professional career,” said Chad Stewart. “It’s nice to work with family members because it provides flexibility and assurance that everyone is in it to succeed.”

The Strohkirch Family in Central Michigan

Standish, Mich., franchisee Bill Strohkirch can attest to the benefits of having family members involved in the business. He sees it as an activity they can all be involved in and learn from each other’s experiences.

Having worked in the grocery industry for 30 years, Bill became a Little Caesars franchisee in his “semi-retirement” years and saw it as an opportunity to share a quality experience with his son, William, who has a degree in Information Technology and daughter-in-law, Carrie, who has a degree in sociology.

“Between the three of us, we have a diverse skill set, allowing us to focus on different areas of the business,” Bill said.

Today, he owns six Little Caesars Pizza restaurants in mid-Michigan. William oversees the operation of the stores and Carrie manages the marketing

“While we’re building a business that can be passed on to future generations, we’re also creating memories,” Bill said. “I’m having a blast and it’s even better that my family is enjoying every minute of it with me.”

David Scrivano, president of Little Caesar Enterprises Inc. strongly encourages family involvement within store operations. “The Little Caesars business model has been a family-friendly operation since day one, where everyone can share roles and take part in the business. It is a perfect franchise opportunity to build strong family traditions.”  

About Little Caesars Pizza

Little Caesars Pizza founders Michael and Marian Ilitch opened their first restaurant in Garden City, Michigan, in 1959. Little Caesars, the fastest growing pizza chain, built more stores in the world in 2009 than any other pizza brand and today is the largest carry-out chain globally with restaurants on five continents. Little Caesars is growing in prime markets across the country, and is offering strong franchisee candidates an opportunity for independence with a proven system. For the third year in a row, Little Caesars was named “Best Value in America” of all quick-serve restaurant chains. In addition, Little Caesars offers strong brand awareness with one of the most recognized and appealing characters in the country, Little Caesar.

In addition to Little Caesars Pizza, Michael and Marian Ilitch’s 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. Michael Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers. Marian Ilitch owns MotorCity Casino Hotel.

Food Network star Ted Allen and Rich Eisen of the NFL Network participated in the ultimate taste test earlier today, helping narrow down a field of more than 12,000 Facebook entries in the Papa John’s Specialty Pizza Challenge to just three lucky finalists. The announcement was broadcast live on Papa John’s Facebook page.

The result? Two spicy recipes featuring jalapeno peppers and one with a new take on a traditional dish. “The Big Bonanza” by Blair Dial of Springfield, Ill., “The Cheesy Chicken Cordon Bleu” from Barbara Hyman of Los Angeles, Calif,” and “The Workin’ Fire” from Kendra Chapman of Ball Ground, Ga., received the highest marks based on appearance, aroma, taste and overall appeal, as chosen by Papa John’s celebrity judging panel.

The three pizzas will be featured on the Papa John’s menu August 2 – 29 and their creators will each receive a $1,000 marketing budget to help promote their pizza. The highest-selling pizza will be declared the winner – and its creator will receive a “slice” of the sales (up to $10,000), free Papa John’s pizza for life, and the opportunity to appear in a “Papa’s In The House” TV commercial.

“Customers responded to this challenge by combining ingredients that normally have a very niche audience and making a case for them in the mainstream,” said Allen, host of Chopped on the Food Network. “Finding a balance in the ingredients was key to creating a winning recipe, as well as not overloading the pizza with too many toppings.”

“I was put on this Earth to eat pizza,” said Eisen, host of “NFL Total Access” on NFL Network, “I took my role as the representative of football fans everywhere seriously when assessing each slice, and I think ‘The Big Bonanza’ about sums up the whole experience. The pizzas are terrific.”

Though each variety of Papa John’s sauce (Original, Spinach Alfredo, and Barbeque) is represented in the finalists’ recipes, only 19 percent of the entries used Spinach Alfredo sauce while 14 percent used Barbeque. Of the more than 12,000 entries received, jalapenos and pineapple were two of the most popular toppings, featured on 20 percent and 18 percent of the submissions, respectively. All of the finalists feature Papa John’s original hand-tossed fresh dough crust, though 27 percent of the overall submissions were built on thin crust.

“Papa’s Specialty Challenge was the Facebook equivalent of a 12,000-person focus group, giving our team a direct pipeline to our customers’ preferences,” said Andrew Varga, Papa John’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We have just begun digging through the data to determine trends that may impact our menu offerings in the future, perhaps even inspiring us to add new toppings to the mix.”

More about the three finalists:

• The Big Bonanza

Created by: Blair Dial of Springfield, Ill.

Crust/Sauce: Original Crust with Barbeque Sauce

Ingredients: Bacon, Beef, Ham, Jalapeno Peppers, Onions, Roma Tomatoes

Inspiration: A pizza that can tackle the Wild West and make you “howl at the moon”

• Cheesy Chicken Cordon Bleu

Created by: Barbara Hyman of Los Angeles, Calif.

Crust/Sauce: Original Crust with Spinach Alfredo Sauce

Ingredients: Extra Cheese, Three Cheese Blend, Grilled Chicken, Ham, Onions

Inspiration: A Papa John’s pizza twist on a mother and daughter’s cherished chicken cordon bleu recipe

• The Workin’ Fire

Created by: Kendra Chapman of Ball Ground, Ga.

Crust/Sauce: Original Crust with Traditional Sauce

Ingredients: Parmesan/Romano Cheese, Jalapeno Peppers, Pepperoni, Spicy Italian Sausage

Inspiration: Created by a firefighter to be the “fire tetrahedron” of pizzas

For more information about the challenge, visit www.facebook.com/papajohns and watch live footage from the event. Also, additional descriptions about each entry can be found on the company’s Facebook discussion board.

As the old saying goes…”if the shoe fits…” And that’s just the case for Brandon, South Dakota’s 70-plus crew members, who will soon be sporting new, custom-made Nike shoes, valued at $125 each, as the winners of this year’s Pizza Ranch “Crew of the Year” award.

Pizza Ranch, the Midwest’s legendary buffet chain featuring innovative pizzas, fresh salads, and the Country’s Best Chicken®, named the Brandon “ranch hands” the “Crew of the Year” at the company’s recent convention in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. With the honor, Pizza Ranch is investing nearly $10,000 in the crew through the purchase of Pizza Ranch-branded Nike shoes.

“The Brandon restaurant’s crew consistently demonstrates our motto to ‘Be Legendary’ with their selflessness, extraordinary guest service, and exceptional food,” said Adrie Groeneweg, co-founder and president of Pizza Ranch, Inc. “The ‘Crew of the Year’ honor shows our sincere appreciation for their outstanding effort.”

More practical than a plaque or medal, the shiny new shoes can be worn proudly while at work or away from Brandon’s Pizza Ranch restaurant.

The location’s crew members and managers have shaped the restaurant into a favorite for local families, school groups and other community organizations during Pizza Ranch’s 20-plus years in Brandon. In addition, the business has cemented itself as a community ally, becoming involved in several local neighborhood organizations and events.

“Commitment, attitude and awareness are just some of the many positive qualities that our crew brings to the table each day,” said Darrell Vander Esch, co-owner of Brandon’s Pizza Ranch. “Our team members have made a commitment to each other and to every guest that walks through the door – and it shows.”

A panel of judges reviewed nominations from Pizza Ranch locations contending for the award. The Brandon location’s crew was chosen from a collection of strong candidates for the “Crew of the Year” award.

Regularly one of the top performing restaurants in the Pizza Ranch chain, the Brandon store noted several measured improvements on its nomination form for the award, including: comment card scores, secret shopper scores, employee survey results and store evaluations.

Pizza Ranch in Brandon is open for lunch and dinner Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The restaurant is located at 202 Splitrock Boulevard and can be contacted at (605) 582-6322.

About Pizza Ranch

Pizza Ranch’s vision is “To glorify God by positively impacting the world we live in”. Founded in Hull, Iowa, in 1981 by Adrie Groeneweg, Pizza Ranch is a prominent regional restaurant chain that offers a wide selection of pizza, salad, chicken with hot mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, potato wedges, and desserts in a unique buffet-style environment. The brand’s great-tasting food is also available through carry-out and delivery service. Currently, the company boasts 150 locations throughout nine states in the Midwest and is currently executing an aggressive growth plan to more than double its presence in key U.S. markets.

Old Western decor, stone accent walls, decorative artwork and comfortable seating–what sounds like a cozy family room is actually the dining area inside Pizza Ranch, the popular Midwest buffet concept blazing a trail throughout the region with a focused franchise expansion plan.

Implementing a strategic growth plan to more than double the brand’s franchise footprint, Pizza Ranch is leveraging the unique niche it has carved in the fast-casual dining segment to attract qualified franchise investors at a steady 10 percent annual growth clip.

“Pizza Ranch combines great tasting food, unrivaled guest service, a one-of-a-kind dining environment and steadfast community support all under one roof,” said Adrie Groeneweg, co-founder and president of Pizza Ranch, Inc. “Our business model, vision and mission allow for franchisees to be passionate and proud about what they do in the communities they serve. We’ ve molded Pizza Ranch into a truly unique concept in a highly competitive marketplace.”

For 2010, Pizza Ranch projects up to 14 new restaurant openings. Four launched in the first half of the year, with new operations in Carroll, Iowa; Mankato, Minn.; Indianola, Iowa; and Dickinson, N.D. Additionally, new franchise locations are currently under construction in Sheboygan, Wis., Boone, Iowa, Rapid City, S.D. and Cedar Falls, Iowa. Pizza Ranch’s short and long-term Midwest expansion plans call for additional restaurants in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Minnesota. The company is also looking at escalating its presence with future locations in Missouri and several of the Great Plains states, including Montana and Colorado.

Menu items remain focused on traditional Pizza Ranch favorites, with recipes dating back to the company’s origins, in addition to new innovative feature pizzas and salads such as the Farmers Market and Garden Roma salads as well as BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza and Tuscan Roma Pizza. Pizza Ranch is also known for their legendary chicken, known by those in the know as simply the “Country’s Best Chicken.”

“We certainly have built a rich tradition around the dine-in buffet, but our loyal fans always craved more. That’ s why Pizza Ranch also offers carry-out and delivery service,” added Groeneweg. “The commitment of the crews at our stores to provide the best experience possible for our guests is unrivaled. That extends from the high quality food prepared in our kitchens to the overall experience our customers have every time they come back to Pizza Ranch.”

Awarding franchise opportunities to both single-unit and multi-unit investors, Pizza Ranch franchisees boast solid business acumen and a strong enthusiasm for community support. The brand’s distinctive menu items combined with extraordinary guest service have created a winning restaurant business model.

“Pizza Ranch is more than just a restaurant,” noted Groeneweg. “It is a gathering place for families, a social hub for friends, and a business missionary opportunity for franchisees. We look forward to executing our strategic growth and introducing more customers to Pizza Ranch.”

Groeneweg, of Hull, Iowa, founded Pizza Ranch in 1981 at the young age of 19 after noticing that several members of the small town were traveling outside of the local community for pizza. After contacting a local banker, who at first was skeptical about the business venture, Groeneweg received a loan to open a pizza restaurant but it came with a pricey 19 percent interest rate. For several months, Adrie and his mother gathered around the kitchen table and worked hard to develop unique pizza sauce and crust recipes that would please the palates of local Hull residents. In December 1981, Pizza Ranch opened its doors and quickly experienced great success. Just two years later, a second location opened in Orange City, Iowa.

Since its inception, a major component of Pizza Ranch’s success has been a constant commitment to community. Beyond the roomy “community rooms” available for special community gatherings and group meals, on any given night, Pizza Ranch locations partner with neighborhood schools, church groups, and other local organizations to raise money through Tip Nights, when anywhere from 5 to 20 percent of nightly sales go back to the groups and tip jars are set out to collect donations. Other Pizza Ranch community fundraising efforts include selling low cost coupon books for groups to purchase and sell as part of fundraising efforts, and the brand’s creative Wagon Wheels school-donation program.

The brand also has formed partnerships with Pheasants Forever, and is a major sponsor for LifeLight, the largest free Christian concert festival series in the United States.

Pizza Ranch Serves-Up Sizzling Incentive for Franchise Investors

Pizza Ranch, Inc. is providing franchisees who sign a License Option Agreement by December 31, 2010, and open their restaurant within 12 months of signing, marketing dollars to support additional local store marketing efforts. The funds will equal 1 percent of gross sales resulting from the first year of operations.

About Pizza Ranch

Pizza Ranch’s vision is “To glorify God by positively impacting the world we live in”. Founded in Hull, Iowa, in 1981 by Adrie Groeneweg, Pizza Ranch is a prominent regional restaurant chain that offers a wide selection of pizza, salad, chicken with hot mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, and potato wedges, and desserts in a unique buffet-style environment. The brand’ s great tasting food is also available through carry-out and delivery service. Currently, the company boasts 150 locations throughout nine states in the Midwest and is currently executing an aggressive growth plan to more than double its presence in key U.S. markets. For more information about Pizza Ranch and available franchise opportunities, visit http://www.pizzaranch.com.

Pizza Republica located in the Denver Tech Center has revamped its lunch menu to offer better value for local businesses in the DTC. The lunch special which can be prepared at lightning fast speed via Pizza Republica’s wood fired oven and friendly staff, only illustrates the need for an upscale restaurant that businesses in the tech center can utilize for meetings with clients or as a way to relax, getting away from work for a half an hour.

The Greenwood Village restaurant is located less than ten minutes from downtown Denver but really strives to meet the needs of local residents and businesses around The Landmark, Denver’s premier luxury, residential, retail and entertainment development.  Management boasts of an impressive five minute turnaround from the time the lunch order is placed until it is at the customers table. The restaurant has Wi-Fi for customers conducting business as well as a first class private dining room that can accommodate parties or business meetings, seating up to 20 people.

For additional information on Pizza Republica Announces New Lunch Special Menu, contact George Eder or visit http://www.pizzarepublica.com. The web site includes a menu, wine list, lunch specials, as well as all information about upcoming charity and special events. Please stop by and visit the restaurant which is open 7 days a week. Reservations are encouraged but not required. To make a reservation, go to http://www.opentable.com/pizza-republica-reservations-denver or call (720) 489-2030.

Pizza Republica is a charming Italian Trattoria featuring Authentic Wood-Fired Brick-Oven Neapolitan Pizza, regional Italian cuisine, and an extensive Italian wine list. The restaurant is open 11:00am to 3:30pm Monday thru Saturday for lunch and serves wonderful Italian dinners as well as phenomenal wood fired pizzas starting at 3:30pm every evening. There are lunch specials, a kids menu, and happy hour 7 days a week. Located at 5375 Landmark Place #113 Greenwood Village, CO 80111

Pizza Inn, Inc., an international pizza chain recognized for serving a variety of fresh, high quality products at affordable prices, has announced the opening of its newest Express restaurant located at 203 East Division inside Neil’s Convenience Store in Muenster, TX.

With 87 restaurants now open and operating throughout Texas, Pizza Inn continues to target the state as part of a growth plan that has revitalized the chain.

“As we continue to grow our brand in our home state of Texas, we are thrilled to bring our freshly made pizzas and other popular menu items to Muenster,” said Charlie Morrison, CEO of Pizza Inn. “This Express location is perfectly situated and will serve the greater Muenster area along Highway 82 well.”

The Pizza Inn Express model is ideal for high traffic sites with “customers-on-the-go,” such as the new Muenster location. This “mini” version of Pizza Inn offers a limited menu centered on Pizza Inn’s pizzas along with several appetizers, all made with the same quality ingredients found throughout the chain. This non-traditional type of restaurant is great for convenience stores, airports, hotels, travel plazas, college dining halls and other high-traffic locations.

For more than 50 years, Pizza Inn has provided consumers with a variety of specialty and traditional handcrafted pizzas. Over the years the menu has expanded, but the company’s commitment to the highest quality ingredients, the friendliest service and affordable pricing have remained unchanged.

The Muenster Express restaurant location is owned and operated by Neil Huchton, and his wife Barbara, who also owns a Subway location inside Neil’s Convenience Store.

In an effort to further increase national and regional growth, Pizza Inn is seeking single- and multi-unit franchisees to help grow the company’s network of restaurants in the region.

For more information on franchise opportunities with Pizza Inn, please visit www.pizzainn.com or contact Dino Chavez, Director of Franchise Development at (800) 284-3466.

About Pizza Inn

Headquartered in The Colony, TX, Pizza Inn, Inc., is an international pizza chain featuring traditional and specialty pizzas, as well as freshly made pastas, sandwiches, and desserts. Founded in 1958, publicly traded Pizza Inn (Nasdaq:PZZI) franchises approximately 315 restaurants and directly owns and operates three restaurants. For more information, please visit www.pizzainn.com.

CEC Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: CEC) has announced that Christopher D. Morris, the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, will be leaving the Company on or about July 16, 2010 to pursue another business opportunity.

“Chris has developed strong accounting, finance and MIS teams that have accomplished a great deal over the six and a half years that he has been with our Company. Chris is a very sharp individual with a bright business future,” said Michael H. Magusiak, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

“My time at CEC Entertainment has been an outstanding experience, both professionally and personally. I am honored to have served as the CFO of one of the best brands in America,” Morris said. “I am proud of the strong team we have built and all the things we accomplished together. I wish CEC Entertainment all the best in the future.”

About CEC Entertainment, Inc.

Celebrating over 30 years of success as a place Where a Kid can be a Kid®, CEC Entertainment, Inc. is a nationally recognized leader in family dining and entertainment. Chuck E. Cheese’s stores feature musical and comic entertainment by robotic and animated characters, arcade-style and skill oriented games, video games, rides and other activities intended to appeal to families with children between the ages of two and 12 and offers a variety of pizzas, sandwiches, appetizers, a salad bar and desserts. The Company and its franchisees operate a system of 546 Chuck E. Cheese’s stores located in 48 states (excluding Wyoming and Vermont) and six foreign countries or territories. Currently, 498 locations in the United States and Canada are owned and operated by the Company. For more information, see the Company’s website at www.chuckecheese.com.

CiCi’s Pizza and GameStop are teaming up to give away more than $2.5 million worth of entertainment systems, gift cards and food prizes this summer in CiCi’s “Game Time Sip & Rip” promotion.

Guests can win when they purchase a carryout beverage to accompany CiCi’s fresh, hot buffet. Each cup has a game piece attached, and guests can peel back the tab to reveal prizes. The contest runs through August 15.

Five grand prize winners will each win home entertainment systems, one $500 GameStop gift card and a $500 CiCi’s gift card. Fifty winners will each receive a $50 GameStop gift card, and 100 will win a $25 GameStop gift card.

Other lucky winners will receive gift cards to stores such as T.J. Maxx and HomeGoods, or free adult and child passes to CiCi’s famous pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet, including beverages. Overall odds for winning a prize are 1-2.

“At CiCi’s, we’re proud to serve fresh, delicious pizza and offer families a place where they can spend quality time together,” said CiCi’s Pizza’s Director of Marketing, Sara Hundley. “CiCi’s ‘Game Time Sip & Rip’ promotion is another way we provide endless value, variety and fun.”

CiCi’s also offers a second chance to win food and fun with an online sweepstakes at www.cicispizza.com.

“CiCi’s is a popular family-friendly dining environment, which makes them an incredible partner for us,” said GameStop’s Director of Marketing, Kristin Djurdjulov. “Pizza, video games and family fun go hand-in-hand. Add in the chance to win great gaming prizes or free food and the Sip & Rip promotion makes eating at CiCi’s a great summertime option.”

About CiCi’s Pizza

CiCi’s first restaurant opened in Plano, Texas in 1985. The family-oriented restaurant is known for its popular pizza, pasta and salad buffet featuring up to 20 varieties of pizza and fresh ingredients for $5 and change. Today, the expanding company has more than 650 restaurants in 33 states. CiCi’s commitment to value was recently recognized in USA Today, Restaurants & Institutions and Nation’s Restaurant News, which ranked CiCi’s No. 1 in sales and unit growth among pizza chains for the past three years. Entrepreneur magazine ranked CiCi’s Pizza first in the Italian restaurant industry category in 2009 and 2007. Also a franchise veteran, CiCi’s was named to a list of the top 25 performing brands in the Wall Street Journal‘s guide for entrepreneurs and a top 200 franchise concepts by Franchise Today.

For more information about CiCi’s, visit CiCi’s Pizza or www.facebook.com/Cicis

About GameStop Corp.

Headquartered in Grapevine, TX, GameStop Corp., a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company, is the world’s largest video game and entertainment software retailer. The company operates 6,486 retail stores in 17 countries worldwide. The company also operates an e-commerce site, GameStop.com, and publishes Game Informer(R) magazine, a leading multi-platform video game publication. GameStop Corp. sells new and used video game software, hardware and accessories for video game systems from Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. In addition, the company sells PC entertainment software, related accessories and other merchandise. General information on GameStop Corp. can be obtained at the company’s corporate website: http://www.gamestopcorp.com.

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., home to the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza and other innovative hearth-baked pizzas, made-to-order pastas, creative salads, appetizers, soups, sandwiches and desserts, opened a new full-service restaurant in Murray, Utah today.

The new 5,400 square foot restaurant is located at 6227 South State Street in the Fashion Place Mall. Hours of operation will be Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Guests can dine-in or place a take-out order by ordering online at cpk.com, from their iPhone app or by calling 801.290.1124.

The menu will feature all of the popular favorites along with the newest menu additions including a Four Seasons Pizza with imported Italian tomatoes, oven-roasted artichoke hearts, salami, fresh mushrooms, mild onions, Mozzarella and fresh Mozzarella cheeses topped with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese; Roasted Artichoke and Spinach Pizza, inspired by CPK’s popular Spinach Artichoke Dip, with a blend of oven-roasted artichoke hearts, sautéed spinach and garlic, Fontina, Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and a spinach artichoke sauce; Baby Clam Linguini featuring linguini fini and baby clams with garlic, fresh Italian parsley, Parmesan cheese, white wine and red pepper flakes tossed in either a light lemon cream sauce or imported Italian tomatoes and fresh basil; Italian Deli Sandwich, a combination of spicy Capicola ham, salami and pepperoni topped with Mozzarella and Fontina cheeses, basil and shredded lettuce tossed in an herb-mustard Parmesan vinaigrette; Turkey Stack Sandwich oven-roasted turkey breast, sliced fresh Roma tomatoes, mayonnaise, shredded lettuce and Grey Poupon Dijon honey mustard; and Butter Cake, CPK’s newest dessert, an oven-baked butter cake served with fresh whipped cream.

The new restaurant will also feature an extensive beverage menu from its full bar, including the CPK Margarita and popular favorites such as Cranberry Mint Cooler and Cherry Lime Sparkler.

Following CPK’s tradition of giving back to the communities in which it operates, the new CPK restaurant will donate 100% of all dine-in pizza sales during regular business hours on Wednesday, June 30, 2010, to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah, the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States.

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., founded in 1985, is a leading casual dining chain featuring an imaginative line of hearth-baked pizzas, including the original BBQ Chicken Pizza, and a broad selection of distinctive pastas, salads, appetizers, soups, sandwiches and desserts. Of the chain’s 258 restaurants, 205 are company-owned and 53 operate under franchise or license agreements. CPK premium pizzas are also available to sports and entertainment fans at three Southern California venues including Dodger Stadium, Angel Stadium of Anaheim and STAPLES Center. Also included in the Company’s portfolio of concepts is LA Food Show Grill & Bar, which has locations in Manhattan Beach and Beverly Hills, California. The Company also has a licensing arrangement with Nestle S.A. to manufacture and distribute a line of California Pizza Kitchen premium frozen products. For more details, visit www.cpk.com.

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. today announced updated earnings guidance for the second quarter ending July 4, 2010.

During its May 6, 2010 conference call, the Company forecasted second quarter comparable full service restaurant sales in the range of negative 0.5% to negative 2.5% and earnings of $0.24 to $0.26 per diluted share. Based upon interim results, management is now forecasting comparable full service restaurant sales of negative 6.0% to negative 7.0% for the second quarter and earnings of $0.10 to $0.15 per diluted share. Actual April and May comparable restaurant sales were negative 2.7% and negative 7.9%, respectively. The Company expects to provide additional details in its second quarter sales pre-announcement on July 14, 2010 and later in its August 5, 2010 earnings release and conference call.

Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, co-CEOs of California Pizza Kitchen, stated, “We attribute this softer top-line primarily to timing as we lap our successful 2009 Thank You Card Program. Weaker than forecasted May and June-to-date comparable restaurant sales will have a deleveraging effect on our P&L and a decline in earnings from previous guidance. The combination of a volatile economy in 2009 and running the program for two consecutive years in 2008 and 2009 limited our visibility into the program’s impact. However, given the traction of the 2009 program, we will reintroduce it with additional exciting prizes that are expected to drive traffic in the third quarter.”

Rosenfield and Flax continued, “Additionally, we are excited to announce that in August we will launch two to three new licensed products outside the frozen category. This is in line with our strategy of expanding our branded products and prioritizing our commitment to this higher margin channel as we continue to leverage the brand.”

Rosenfield and Flax added, “Despite the Thank You Card Program timing shift, our second quarter operational momentum remains very strong. Our sales initiatives including our call center, expanded wine selections, catering program and Small Cravings menu are achieving excellent results, and our overall guest satisfaction scores are at record highs. We also rolled out our new menu last week with many items exceeding their individual sales expectations. We are committed to maximizing long-term value for our shareholders and driving the brand through innovation and strategies, both inside and outside the restaurants’ four walls.”

Rosenfield and Flax concluded, “As a reminder, on April 12, 2010, we announced that the Company was exploring strategic alternatives. This process is continuing and the Company does not expect to make further comment unless its Board of Directors has approved a specific course of action.”

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc., founded in 1985, is a leading casual dining chain featuring an imaginative line of hearth-baked pizzas, including the original BBQ Chicken Pizza, and a broad selection of distinctive pastas, salads, appetizers, soups, sandwiches and desserts. There are 257 California Pizza Kitchen locations system-wide including 204 company-owned domestic locations. Franchised or licensed units include 29 international locations in China, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, South Korea, Guam, Indonesia and United Arab Emirates as well as 24 units that operate domestically at airports, college campuses, travel plazas, Dodger Stadium, Angel Stadium of Anaheim and STAPLES Center. Also included in the Company’s portfolio of concepts is LA Food Show Grill & Bar, which has locations in Manhattan Beach and Beverly Hills, California. The Company also has a licensing arrangement with Nestle S.A. to manufacture and distribute a line of California Pizza Kitchen premium frozen products. For more details, visit www.cpk.com

This release includes certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include projections of earnings, revenue or other financial items, statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations, statements concerning proposed new products or developments, statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, statements of belief and statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may include the words “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “intend,” “continue,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “forecast,” and similar words.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, therefore, undue reliance should not be placed on them. Our actual results may and will likely differ materially from the expectations referred to herein. Among the key factors that may have a direct bearing on our operating results, performance and financial condition are changing consumer preferences and demands, the execution of our expansion strategy, the continued availability of qualified employees and our management team, the maintenance of reasonable food and supply costs, our relationships with our distributors and numerous other matters discussed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. California Pizza Kitchen undertakes no obligation to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Pizza Fusion, the number 1 green franchise and pioneer of the environmental, fresh and natural restaurant movement is opening its newest location at 95 Broad Street in Red Bank, New Jersey. The restaurant will be celebrating its official grand opening on Saturday, June 19^th from 2 PM to 4 PM as well as extended special offers from Sunday, June 20^th to Saturday, June 26^th.

The main event on the 19^th will feature food sampling from Pizza Fusion’s fresh and natural menu, including their signature pizzas, desserts, natural sodas and teas. Red Bank Mayor Pasquale “Pat” Menna will be present for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“Pizza Fusion is the perfect fit for the health and environmentally conscious community here in Red Bank,” says Paul Finkler, owner of Pizza Fusion Red Bank. “We are looking forward to serving America’s favorite food in our uniquely delicious, Pizza Fusion way with friends, neighbors, and newcomers. We hope to see everyone during our grand opening celebration!”

The celebration will also feature drawings for grand prize bags that include $25 Pizza Fusion gift certificates, among other goodies. Each guest or family will receive an eco-friendly Pizza Fusion tote bag with a $5 coupon for future Pizza Fusion visits, and children will delight with environmentally friendly stickers. The grand opening celebration will continue all week long with Pizza Fusion’s special opening offer: a free cheese pizza with the purchase of any pizza at regular price.

Voted “Best Pizza” numerous times, Pizza Fusion, a Fort Lauderdale, FL-based pizza restaurant chain, focuses its menu on organic foods, untainted by artificial additives, like preservatives, growth hormones, pesticides, nitrates and trans fats. The menu, over seventy-five percent organic, includes delicious gourmet pizzas, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and desserts. In addition, they offer vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free selections.

Founded in the best interest of the individual and the environment, Pizza Fusion is the number-one green franchise in North America. Based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the organic pizza restaurant chain offers fresh, natural and organic foods in all its eco-friendly, LEED certified locations worldwide. Pizza Fusion’s mission is to uphold the highest level of integrity in all they do, from the quality and origin of their food to their care for the health of their customers and the environment. Pizza Fusion, “Saving the Earth, One Pizza at a Time.” (www.pizzafusion.com).

Pizzas 4 Patriots, a non-profit organization, is teaming up with DHL Express, the world’s leading global express delivery and logistics company, and AT&T to send thousands of Edwardo’s Natural pizzas to U.S. servicemen and women overseas in time for Independence Day, 2010.

This Independence Day, U.S. servicemen and women at bases in Iraq, Afghanistan as well as South Korea will get a taste of home – Chicago and New York Style. Over 5,000 Award Winning Stuffed Pizzas from Edwardo’s Natural Pizza in Chicago, along with hundreds of pizzas from New York Flying Pizza will leave the U.S. on June 26, in time for Independence Day celebrations at U.S. military bases. DHL Express has donated its global shipping network for the delivery.

According to Ret. MSgt Mark Evans of Pizzas 4 Patriots, his non-profit has been incrementally gearing up to expand pizza deliveries to the U.S. servicemen and women stationed across the world, with this July 4 adding a special distribution to those stationed in Korea.

“We should never forget the sacrifices of the men and women based around the world that defend our freedoms and those of our allies, which is why we have been working to expand our distribution to all regions of the world where U.S. Commands are based,” said Ret. MSgt Mark Evans. “Since we started Pizzas 4 Patriots, the letters of appreciation that we get from the military as well as from friends and family of those stationed overseas is really heartwarming and makes it all worthwhile.”

The mission to show appreciation and bring reminders of home to the men and women in uniform overseas was conceived by Ret. MSgt. Mark Evans of Elk Grove Village, Ill. In 2008, Evans’ 15-year-old son Kent asked if there was a way to deliver freshly-frozen Chicago-style pizzas to servicemen and women stationed throughout Iraq in time for July Fourth Independence Day Celebrations. The initial effort required 2,000 pizzas and was extremely well received. Since the first effort, and with the support of DHL Express, Evans has been able to ship over 45,000 pizzas to U.S. military personnel overseas.

Over 5,000 pizzas, packaged in temperature-cooled containers, will be picked up at the Edwardo’s National Pizza restaurant on Wednesday, June 23 at 10:00 a.m. in Wheeling, Illinois for a formal send-off event. The pizzas, along with letters of support to the troops, will be transported from Chicago to DHL’s hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport where they will move onward to regional DHL hubs in the Middle East and Asia. DHL provides door-to-door, final mile delivery for the entire distribution, working closely with the U.S. military to ensure the pizzas are delivered fresh and ready to heat and serve at various military bases.

DHL has been selected by the Department of Defense for service to numerous locations around the globe based on the extensive service capabilities and “first in market” approach provided in support of US servicemen and women. DHL was also the first international air express carrier to provide service to Iraq and Afghanistan, and operates the most extensive logistics service in the Middle East Region.

“As the specialists in international shipping, DHL is honored to leverage its global network in support for Pizzas 4 Patriots which continues to lift the spirits of our brave servicemen and women, “ said Christine Nashick, Vice President of Marketing for DHL Express USA. “During important holidays, it’s even tougher to be away from friends and family, so we trust these reminders of home will bring smiles to deserving military personnel.”

Round Table Pizza, a California Pizza restaurant icon known for quality and innovation, will be evaluating cities and prospective partners in China during the next two weeks. The leading west coast pizza brand has received multiple inquiries for master licenses to bring its premium products to China and the rest of Asia and is beginning to set up meetings with these prospective partners.

“International demand is growing as entrepreneurs recognize the value in the Round Table Pizza brand,” notes Round Table Pizza President Rob McCourt. “Although currently there are other American pizza concepts operating in China, consumers there are now asking for higher quality products that the typical chains can’t provide.”

Founded in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, Round Table Pizza has prospered as the market share leader in one of the most competitive markets in the United States. Last year, Round Table celebrated 50 years of success in bringing families together to share a wonderful meal. Of the company’s 500 restaurants, 75% are owned and operated by franchisees. Round Table is uniquely structured to provide its partners with the tools and flexibility necessary to launch successful, international restaurants.

Headquartered in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, Round Table Pizza was founded by Bill Larson in 1959. He wanted to create a place where families could relax and share a superb pizza. Fifty-one years later, Round Table Pizza remains true to its founder’s vision with 500 restaurants across the western United States.

With a landslide victory at the polls, pizza lovers across the country have united to keep Pizza Hut’s $10 Any Pizza deal – any size, any crust, any toppings for just $10.  From May 11-June 10, 2010, Pizza Hut asked America to vote on the fate of the incumbent deal at Facebook.com/PizzaHut.  An overwhelming 98 percent of voters clicked “Yes,” resulting in a resounding victory for the $10 Any Pizza deal.

“America has voted and the $10 Any Pizza deal will be extended at Pizza Hut,” said Brian Niccol, Pizza Hut Chief Marketing Officer.  “The one-sided victory shows that pizza fans remain hungry for the combination of great taste and value.  We’re excited to continue offering that combination with our $10 Any Pizza deal.”

With a determination to keep the $10 Any Pizza deal alive, Pizza Hut Tweetologist Alexa Robinson packed up campaign materials and embarked on a tour across America to rally support.  As campaign manager, Alexa visited state capitols, engaged voters at city landmarks and made media appearances in New York City, Philadelphia, Little Rock, Richmond, Va., Columbia, S.C., and Des Moines, Iowa.

“From New York City to Des Moines, I met with hundreds of loyal Pizza Hut fans who voiced their support of the $10 Any Pizza deal,” Robinson said.  “And that support resulted in an overwhelming victory in the Facebook vote.  The $10 Any Pizza deal at Pizza Hut is clearly a popular choice.”

Alexa tracked her progress on Twitter (twitter.com/pizzahut) and Foursquare (foursquare.com/user/pizzahut), giving Pizza Hut fans exclusive news of her whereabouts and access to photos from the campaign trail.  Fans can also visit Flickr (flickr.com/pizzahuttwintern) to view photos from the tour.

Domino’s new improved pizza is definitely new and certainly improved but not enough to drive the sales and profit increases being seen by the restaurant chain and its franchisees.  So what’s the big idea?

Domino’s, like so many other superior marketers, is following a tried and true formula that has worked for other best practices marketers over the decades.  Product + positioning + execution = growth.

Yes, the new Domino’s product is better than the old, and perhaps the new Domino’s product is better than some competitors; but is it that much better to drive the kind of growth being experienced by the chain and its franchisees?

“Hardly” says Gary Stibel, Founder and CEO of the Westport, Connecticut based New England Consulting Group.  “It’s the combination of better pizza, brilliant marketing and executional excellence that’s ringing the cash registers.  In a mature and competitive pizza restaurant market, Domino’s has out-positioned its competition and is taking this combination of better positioning, product and execution to the bank.”

David Stone, Managing Partner and Principal of the New England Consulting Group, points out that “for years superior marketers like Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo have been improving good products to position their brands in a fashion that drives sales, shares and profits at the expense of their competition”.  Stone, who directed the Pepsi Challenge in the 1980s points out that “even the new and improved Domino’s product is not better than most of its competitors, but its positioning and execution are, and that’s what’s driving the business”.

Stibel goes on to point out that “in a world that believes advertising must be entertaining, Domino’s is winning with a rational product message that is honest, informative and persuasive”.  According to Stibel, “God created programming to entertain and advertising to sell”.

Stibel mentions several other advertisers who are building their businesses with old school rational messages in addition to emotional appeals, and mass media in addition to new media, versus competitors who are focusing principally on more entertaining messages and new media alone.  Among the many examples New England benchmarks to assist its clients are Sam Adams (versus Heineken), Audi (versus BMW) and Southwest (versus JetBlue).

According to New England, the product improvement was necessary to grow the business.  But only the combination of an improved product used to reposition the brand and execute it effectively was sufficient to drive the kinds of increases being experienced by Domino’s in a mature and competitive marketplace.

In April, Pizza Pizza gave out 465 free slices to hungry customers that answered the call to recycle their old cell phones. This year’s campaign donations brings the total phones recycled to 5,121 since the start of the ‘Cells for Slices’ program in 2004.

More than 375 stores across Canada participated in the Earth Month campaign, which refurbishes old cell phones and donates money generated from the re-sale to Food Banks Canada in support of its mission to reduce hunger in Canada.

“We would like to thank our customers that generously donated their old cell phones in support of the environment, recycling and feeding the hungry,” said Pat Finelli, chief marketing officer of Pizza Pizza. “The Pizza Pizza team is pleased to be working with the communities we serve to create a better environment for the future.”

By recycling the old phones, customers divert plastics, metals and batteries that contain chemicals from contaminating the environment. Phones that are recycled or refurbished can yield a $2 to $5 donation for Food Banks Canada. 

“Pizza Pizza and Food Banks Canada are a natural fit because they both support families and communities,” said Katharine Schmidt, executive director of Food Banks Canada. “In any given month approximatly 800,000 Canadians, 296,000 of whom are children, access Food Banks Canada’s resources. Thank you Pizza Pizza for your continuous contribution.” 

The Pizza Pizza team makes every effort to run its business in an environmentally sustatinable way.

About Phones for Food

Phones for Food is an award winning handheld device recycling program launched by Food Banks Canada, the national charitable organization representing the food bank community across Canada. Since its launch in 2003, Phones for Food has generated over $600,000 and diverted approximately 400,000 wireless devices from landfills. Funds from this program support Food Banks Canada and the food bank community, to meet the short term need for food and find long term solutions to hunger. For more information, visit www.phonesforfood.com.

About Pizza Pizza Limited

Founded in 1967, Pizza Pizza Limited is Canada’s pizza pioneer and one of the country’s most successful quick service restaurant chains. With its Pizza Pizza and Pizza 73 banners, the company plays an active role in the communities it serves through fundraisers, donations and local sponsorships at the corporate and franchise levels. The company is guided by a mission to provide the “best food, made especially for you” with a focus on quality ingredients, customer service and continual innovation. Visit www.pizzapizza.ca and www.pizza73.com for more information.

CiCi’s Pizza announced today franchise expansion in Phoenix as part of the company’s 2010 strategic growth plans. The company is currently seeking franchisees to develop 25-30 new restaurants in Phoenix and surrounding cities including Tempe, Glendale, Scottsdale and Tucson. CiCi’s expects to open 80-100 new units per year over the next five years.

Currently, there are three CiCi’s operating in Phoenix with an additional two restaurants in development, and in Tucson there is one CiCi’s currently operating and an additional three in development. 

“For more than 25 years, CiCi’s has been serving its quality, made fresh daily pizza buffet and we’re excited to expand our footprint in Phoenix,” said Jim Sheahan, vice president of franchise sales, CiCi’s Pizza. “We are now actively seeking franchisees in and around Phoenix who want to own and operate their own restaurant and become more involved in the communities in which they serve.”

Executives from CiCi’s Pizza will be hosting an all-day franchising expo on June 24^th from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott — Tempe at 601 South Ash, Tempe, AZ. CiCi’s encourages all entrepreneurs interested in franchising to attend to learn more about the business opportunity of owning a CiCi’s Pizza. 

Formal presentations will be held at 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. However, the CiCi’s team is available to meet one-on-one throughout the day to discuss opportunities and answer any questions.

The company has embarked on a national growth plan that includes expanding in existing markets, while entering new cities throughout the country. CiCi’s is focused on attracting new qualified operators to open restaurants in priority markets, specifically California, New York, New Jersey, Arizona, Nevada, Philadelphia, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Start-up costs for a single unit averages $550,000 and includes a franchise fee of $30,000. Franchisees are required to fund 30 percent in cash. CiCi’s franchisees are provided the tools and resources needed to sustain and grow their restaurants. Franchisees benefit from multi-million dollar nationwide advertising and sales programs designed to promote and enhance the collective success of all restaurants in the CiCi’s system.

“Since our founding in 1985, we have shown consistent growth year after year,” added Sheahan. “We are looking for energetic, dedicated professionals to help us bring the freshest concept in affordable dining to more families in Phoenix and across the U.S. We encourage individuals in the Phoenix area who are interested in owning a restaurant to attend our franchising expo to learn more about the benefits of becoming a CiCi’s Pizza franchisee.”

CiCi’s first restaurant opened in Plano, Texas in 1985. The family-oriented restaurant is known for its popular pizza, pasta and salad buffet featuring up to 20 varieties of pizza and fresh ingredients for $5 and change. Today, the expanding company has more than 650 restaurants in 33 states.

Football fans can expect the upcoming NFL season to be even better, thanks to the company known for its “Better Ingredients, Better Pizza.” Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA), which earlier this year entered into an agreement with the NFL as the Official Pizza Sponsor of Super Bowl XLIV, has signed a three-year agreement through the 2012 season as the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL and Super Bowl XLV, XLVI and XLVII.

The deal is the largest in Papa John’s history and includes category exclusivity among delivery and carryout pizza brands.

“The National Football League is the most highly regarded and popular brand in sports, with a commitment to quality that matches perfectly with the high standards of Papa John’s,” said Andrew Varga, Papa John’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Papa John’s has always prided itself as being the preferred pizza of football fans. This sponsorship takes it to the next level. This is by far the largest sports-related financial commitment that our brand has made and we believe this affiliation will greatly enhance our brand building efforts over the next three years.”

Earlier this year with its sponsorship of Super Bowl XLIV, Papa John’s recorded its largest single sales day in the brand’s history, selling more than 900,000 pizzas at its 2,800 U.S. restaurants. Extending the NFL sponsorship will propel the brand deeper into the mindset of NFL fans everywhere, beginning with 2010 NFL Kickoff in September all the way through Super Bowl XLIV on February 6, 2011 and beyond.

“We are excited to welcome the Papa John’s brand to the NFL as an official sponsor,” Keith Turner, NFL Senior Vice President of Media Sales & Sponsorship. “We have appreciated Papa John’s local sponsorships with NFL teams over the years. We welcomed them into the national fold at Super Bowl XLIV and are pleased to extend the relationship into a long-term sponsorship.”

As a sponsor, Papa John’s will be able to use NFL logos and trademarks in its advertising and marketing. These logos include the NFL shield logo, as well as those of marquee league events, such as the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl and NFL Kickoff.

Papa John’s is also the Official Pizza of the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Redskins.

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) is the world’s third largest pizza company. For nine of the last 10 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 and was named 2007 Pizza Today Chain of the Year. For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Papa John’s at www.papajohns.com.

Can you sum up your dad’s character in 140 characters or less? Give it a shot on Twitter – using the hashtag #AllProPapa – and your All Pro Papa could win a year of free Papa John’s pizza!

This Father’s Day, Papa John’s is teaming up with Super Bowl XLI winning head coach Tony Dungy and his charity, All Pro Dad, to recognize fathers for being heroes in their own homes.

“All Pro Dad’s daily ‘Play of the Day’ e-mails emphasize that it’s the little things that make a big difference in a home, whether it’s having breakfast together, discussing the day’s events before bedtime, or building a rapport with your child’s teacher,” said Dungy. “Twitter provides the perfect venue for people to describe the simple acts or family traditions that make their dad an All Pro Papa.”

To be eligible for the grand prize of free Papa John’s pizza for a year, entries must include the hashtag #AllProPapa. Papa John’s and All Pro Dad executives will determine the winner, judging submissions on creativity and love for dads conveyed in 140 characters or less.

In addition to the Twitter contest, $1 of every Papa John’s gift card purchased online during the month of June, up to $30,000, will be donated to All Pro Dad, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to helping men become better fathers.

The founder of the Bacci pizzeria chain pleaded guilty to arson Thursday and accepted a four-year prison sentence for hiring gang members to set fire to a building he owned in Chicago on Christmas Eve 2000, prosecutors said.

Robert Di Diana, 41, of Darien, also was ordered to pay $137,000 to the Old Republic Insurance Co., which had paid his claim on the building at 913 S. Western Avenue after the fire, a spokesman for the Cook County state’s attorney’s office said.

Di Diana and his family operate 18 Bacci restaurants in the Chicago area and downstate, including a popular eatery across from Wrigley Field and his original pizzeria on Taylor Street, around the corner from the building burned in the arson.

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