A pizza deliveryman who shot two would-be robbers to death in east Charlotte said Tuesday that he didn’t draw his concealed pistol until the last possible second, when he thought he would be killed.

Throughout the robbery attempt, as the men hit and pistol-whipped him inside a cooler at an east Charlotte Pizza Hut, the driver said he kept his right elbow pinned tightly against his body – holding a Glock 22 under his shirt and out of view.

He said he didn’t want to use the gun unless he was forced to. But as one of the men lifted his shirt, nearly exposing the gun, the deliveryman opened fire.

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California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (CPK) (NASDAQ: CPKI), home of the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza and other innovative hearth-baked pizzas, made-to-order pastas, creative salads, appetizers, soups, sandwiches and desserts, announced today the launch of the CPK Mobile Kitchen. Providing an innovative spin on catering, CPK’s new Mobile Kitchen is available for corporate and private events, including office meetings and parties.

The 35-foot kitchen-on-wheels will offer CPK favorites made to order, including the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, The Works Pizza, The Original BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad, and Broccoli Sun-Dried Tomato Fusilli. CPK is also offering a branded booth and promotional signage for larger events.

“CPK’s Mobile Kitchen brings the CPK experience directly to our catering customers,” said Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, co-founders and co-CEOs of California Pizza Kitchen. “With CPK on wheels, all types of events will now enjoy our popular menu items and benefit from the convenience of having it all made directly at their doorsteps.”

For more details on reserving the CPK Mobile Kitchen for an upcoming event, please visit www.cpk.com/mobilekitchen.

Follow CPK on Twitter at www.twitter.com/calpizzakitchen

Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/californiapizzakitchen

About CPK

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 263 restaurants, 207 are company-owned and 56 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.

Old Chicago – a division of Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc. and the pizza and beer authority known for its “World Beer Tour” and 110 unique, cold beers – is celebrating October National Pizza Month and its nearly 35 years of making pizzas from scratch with two new, limited-time-only pizzas, the Ultimate Deep Dish Pizza and the Artisan Pizza. Part of the 2010 Pizza FEASTival taking place now at participating* Old Chicago restaurants, these specialty pizzas will be available through Sunday, Oct. 31. In honor of National Pizza Month, Old Chicago also plans to give away two trips to the ultimate pizza destinations, Italy and Chicago, to help guests celebrate pizza in authentic style.

The Ultimate Deep Dish Pizza and Artisan Pizza are two new Old Chicago recipes featuring homemade dough that is hand-shaped in each restaurant, resulting in truly authentic, great-tasting pizza. These limited-time-only pizzas created in celebration of National Pizza Month include:

• The Ultimate Deep Dish Pizza: Made from scratch with two full vertical inches of Chicago-style crust layered with mozzarella cheese, premium toppings and chunky Italian tomato sauce, sprinkled with Old Chicago’s special cheese blend and fresh basil. Guests can build their own Ultimate Deep Dish Pizza by combining up to three quality toppings of their choice, or choose from Old Chicago’s signature, best-selling Ultimate “Chicago Seven,”™ Ultimate Spinach and Artichoke, or Ultimate Sausage and Roasted Fennel. Start prices range between $19.99 and $20.99.
• Artisan Pizza: A tribute to the handcrafted pizzas of Italy, Old Chicago’s artisan dough is made-from-scratch, hand-stretched and brushed with olive oil for a light, crispy crust. The pizza is then finished with quality toppings, including a blend of mozzarella, Parmesan and Swiss cheeses, for a delicate balance of flavors. The Artisan Pizzas are individually sized and guests can build their own, selecting three of their favorite toppings from a list of about 40, or choose from Old Chicago’s showcase of specially crafted recipes – Artisan Sausage and Roasted Garlic, Artisan Three Cheese and Pepperoni, or Artisan Italian Vegetarian. Prices start at $7.99.

“Old Chicago is passionate about pizza, and we have been sharing that passion and commitment to made-from-scratch pizzas with our guests for more than 30 years,” said Mike Thom, Old Chicago’s director of culinary research and development. “We’re excited to celebrate National Pizza Month with two new variations on the authentic, homemade Old Chicago taste.”

In addition to the specialty pizzas, Old Chicago is giving guests the opportunity to celebrate Pizza Month big with a chance to win a grand-prize trip to Italy or a runner-up trip to Chicago. Guests can swipe either their World Beer Tour card or a Pizza FEASTival sweepstakes card each time they visit Old Chicago during National Pizza Month to be entered for the grand-prize drawing. More visits equal more chances to win. The grand-prize winner will receive a 10-day getaway for two to Rome, Florence and Venice, including roundtrip airfare, a high-speed Eurostar train ride to Florence, $500 cash for souvenirs, and of course pizza. The runner-up will win a four-day getaway to Chicago for two, and many** Old Chicago restaurants also plan to give away weekly prizes ranging from pizza parties to free pizza for a year.

For more information, please visit www.oldchicago.com.

Nearly two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes without smoke alarms or with smoke alarms that do not function properly.  With that in mind, Domino’s Pizza® (NYSE: DPZ), the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, today announced its fall fire safety campaign to encourage customers to focus on home smoke alarms for safety.  Fire Prevention Week is October 3 through October 9, and participating markets will deliver the message of “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With” on pizza boxes during that week, together with their partners at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  

As part of the fall campaign, customers who order from participating Domino’s Pizza stores in October may be surprised when their delivery arrives aboard a fire engine. If all the smoke alarms in the home are working, the pizza is free.  If a smoke alarm is not working, the firefighters will replace the batteries and/or smoke alarm and leave the home with a fully functioning fire safety device. 

“Hundreds of lives could be saved each year if all homes had working smoke alarms,” said Domino’s spokesperson Chris Brandon. “Domino’s makes 1 million deliveries each day, so we reach a lot of people in their homes, where fire safety begins. We are thrilled to continue the partnership with the NFPA and to be able to use our network of delivery experts to make homes across the country a little safer.”

“On average, eight people die in home fires every day,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of communications.  ”We appreciate Domino’s giving us the opportunity to literally deliver life-saving information on fire safety and smoke alarms to people in their home with their pizza.”  

Smoke Alarm Safety Tips from Domino’s and NFPA

1. An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, both types of alarms or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms are recommended.
2. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
3. Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
4. Smoke rises; install smoke alarms following manufacturer’s instructions high on a wall or on a ceiling. Save manufacturers’ instructions for testing and maintenance.
5. Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
6. Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use ten year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are ten years old or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested.
7. Alarms that are hard-wired (and include battery backup) must be installed by a qualified electrician.
8. If cooking fumes or steam sets off nuisance alarms, replace the alarm with a photoelectric type alarm or an alarm that has a “hush” button. A “hush” button will reduce the alarm’s sensitivity for a short period of time.
9. Smoke alarms are available for people who are deaf. These alarms use strobe lights. Vibration equipment is required with these alarms. This equipment is activated by the sound of the smoke alarm.
10. People with mild to severe hearing loss can use a device that will make a mixed, low-pitched sound. This device is activated by the sound of a traditional smoke alarm.

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.” Through its primarily locally-owned and operated franchised system, Domino’s operates a network of 9,097 franchised and Company-owned stores in the United States and over 60 international markets. The Domino’s Pizza® brand, named a Megabrand by Advertising Age magazine, had global retail sales of over $5.6 billion in 2009, comprised of nearly $3.1 billion domestically and over $2.5 billion internationally. During the second quarter of 2010, the Domino’s Pizza® brand had global retail sales of nearly $1.4 billion, comprised of approximately $755 million domestically and over $645 million internationally. In June 2010, Pizza Today, the leading publication of the pizza industry, named Domino’s its “Chain of the Year” – making the company a two-time winner of the honor, which they previously received in 2003. Domino’s has expanded its menu significantly since 2008 to include Oven Baked Sandwiches and BreadBowl Pasta™, and in 2009 debuted its ‘Inspired New Pizza’ – a permanent change to its core hand-tossed product, reinvented from the crust up with new sauce, cheese and garlic seasoned crust.

About NFPA

NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. Visit www.firepreventionweek.org for more safety information.

About Fire Prevention Week

NFPA has been the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week since 1922. According to the National Archives and Records Administration’s Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925.

Pizza Inn’s (Nasdaq:PZZI) popular traditional and specialty pizzas are now available in Lebanon for takeout or delivery through an agreement with Flash Market Convenience stores.
 
The newest Pizza Inn delivery/carryout location opened at 1051 Murfreesboro Road in Lebanon and is part of a franchise agreement that will place similar Pizza Inn locations in select Flash Market stores throughout Arkansasand Tennessee.
 
Flash Market stores are owned by the Patterson family, who also feature Subway, Quiznos, Baskin Robbins and Dairy Queen franchises in their convenience stores and travel plazas.
 
“We wanted to upgrade our existing pizza programs to include a quality brand name with a menu that offers a fresh made dough product,” said Shane Patterson, whose family members are lifelong residents of Marion, AR. “After reviewing several brands, Pizza Inn was an easy choice. And the Pizzerts have become a family favorite.”
 
Patterson said the company plans to open up additional Pizza Inn locations in coming months.
 
“This is a tremendous opportunity to introduce Pizza Inn to new customers,” said Charlie Morrison, CEO of Pizza Inn. “The Patterson Family has a long history of success with high profile franchise brands and we are excited that Pizza Inn will now be able to play a part in the success.”
 
The Lebanon Pizza Inn, at 1051 Murfreesboro Road in Lebanon, is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Carryout orders can be placed by calling 615-444-6828.

Back-to-school and busy lives have many families feeling pinched for time and strapped for cash. But with CiCi’s $3.99 all-you-can-eat buffet deal from September 22 – October 3, families can fit a sit-down meal with incredible quality and a great price into their busy schedules.

“We’re still celebrating CiCi’s 25th anniversary with our $3.99 offer as a thank you to our loyal guests,” said Nancy Hampton, Chief Marketing Officer for CiCi’s Pizza. “Fall is busier than ever for many people, and so for two weeks CiCi’s will offer hot and fresh pizza and endless value in a fun, easy atmosphere at a celebratory price.”

Here’s how CiCi’s $3.99 anniversary deal makes it easy for families and other guests to find endless value at lunch and dinner:

1. Find time for your family to be together at CiCi’s.

Studies show kids who eat most often with their parents are 40 percent more likely to say they get mainly As and Bs in school than kids who have two or fewer family dinners a week. With kids’ busy school schedules and extra-curricular activities, CiCi’s is a quick, affordable way to have a sit-down family dinner.

2. Save money at CiCi’s.

A recent survey shows the average household spends $606.40 for back-to-school needs. CiCi’s serves up an affordable, family dinner with choices for everyone. For less than $4, CiCi’s buffet features unlimited hot soup, fresh breadsticks and crisp salad, up to 20 fresh pizzas and gooey oven-baked desserts for only $3.99.

3. CiCi’s provides your family balanced meal options.

The veggie pizzas, salad and soups at CiCi’s mean you can offer your family a well-rounded meal with foods from all the food groups. For parents, two Vegetarian Italiano slices are equivalent to three Weight Watchers points. Sneak in more vegetables for kids – CiCi’s takes special orders, so ask for some green peppers on that pepperoni pizza.

4. Remove the veto vote with CiCi’s variety.

Every family’s been there: One person wants ham and pineapple, but someone else won’t eat anything but plain cheese. CiCi’s has the answer to family harmony with its buffet featuring up to 20 piping hot pizzas straight from the oven. And if guests don’t see their favorite pizza on the buffet, CiCi’s will make it. It’s our Hot and Fresh Guarantee. At CiCi’s, choice rules.

5. CiCi’s offers great taste at a great price.

Value is about quality foods like whole-milk mozzarella cheese, special seasoning blends, always fresh ingredients and dough made by hand throughout the day. At CiCi’s, delicious food is always the first, middle and last priority.

Offer only valid at participating locations. Please call your local CiCi’s Pizza or visit www.cicispizza.com to find a participating location.

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 600 restaurants in 35 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 four years. In 2010, Parents magazine ranked CiCi’s to its top family friendly list. 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 www.cicispizza.com or www.facebook.com/cicis.

A new Pizza Hut brand campaign – “Your Favorites. Your Pizza Hut.” – launches this week with national advertising that celebrates the special bond that Pizza Hut has with its customers.  The ads feature real employees from Pizza Hut restaurants across the United States sharing their passion for serving “more than just pizza.”

“With our new brand campaign we really wanted to hone in on what sets Pizza Hut apart,” said Kurt Kane, Vice-President of Marketing at Pizza Hut.  ”Pizza Hut customers know that they’ll get great tasting pizza, pasta or wings from us.  But what keeps them loyal to the brand is a connection between our food and the special moments in their daily lives.  Whether it’s family pizza night or a get together with friends; at Pizza Hut we believe every moment deserves to be a favorite moment.”

To deliver that message, Pizza Hut and its advertising agency, The Martin Agency, turned to actual employees working at Pizza Hut restaurants throughout America.  The employees were chosen through video submissions highlighting their personalities and desire to share Pizza Hut’s “Your Favorites” story.  Eight Pizza Hut employees were chosen from hundreds of entries.

Introducing the new voices of Pizza Hut:

• Aimee Mullahey, 19 – Alpine, Calif.: For two years, Aimee has worked as a cashier at Pizza Hut greeting guests with a smile and making their Pizza Hut experience a favorite.
• Ashley Lewis, 17 – Highlands Ranch, Colo.: Ashley uses her cheerleading background to root for Pizza Hut customers. She has been a part of the team for over a year and her favorite menu item is cheese sticks.
• Briana Rico, 17 – Long Beach, Calif.: An aspiring actress, Briana works as a customer service representative and can’t get enough of Pizza Hut Stuffed Pizza Rolls.
• Carlos Camelo, 29 – Jacksonville, Fla.: A regional general manager since 2009, Carlos enjoys treating his four kids to all their favorites from Pizza Hut.
• Ethan Washic, 19 – Philipsburg, Penn.: Over the past two years, Ethan has worked his way up in the Pizza Hut ranks to manager. His favorite pizza is barbeque chicken pizza from Pizza Hut.
• Jonathan Kichamu, 21 – Cypress, Texas: A former linebacker at Texas Tech, Jonathan is a regional general manager at Pizza Hut and has been a team member for more than four years.
• Michael Spano, 24 – Frisco, Texas: Michael loves serving the new Big Italy Pizza to Pizza Hut customers as well as to his own dinner table.
• Michelle Leachman, 20 – Moscow, Idaho: Michelle loves every topping at Pizza Hut, as long as it is on Pizza Hut’s Hand-Tossed Style crust.  She dreams of racing in a demolition derby one day.

Pizza Hut will release exclusive video of the team members participating in the ad shoot, as well as behind-the-scenes videos and winning entries in the coming weeks.  Visit social.PizzaHut.com to interact with the brand or for more information visit PizzaHut.com.

When 2009 third quarter earnings for Pizza Hut parent Yum! Brands shored up a dismal 13 percent same-store sales decrease from the previous year, NPC International, its largest franchisee, famously took its franchisor to task. NPC CEO Jim Schwartz’s call for the franchisor to step up and find the right message to connect with consumers made a dramatic splash in the industry media. Afterward, the company found its footing, spearheaded on a $10 pizza promise and new ad campaign. Subsequent earnings numbers have been climbing.

NPC is among the few franchisees that can command such respect and attention. Its sheer size – 1500 stores — makes it one of the ten largest fast food chains in the nation, nevermind franchisees. And as Schwartz will tell you, 44 of NPC’s last 50 quarters have seen same store sales improvement. How does a franchisee weave such a success story? We asked Schwartz himself, who has been with the company for almost 20 years. 

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Pizza Inn, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI) today reported net income of $1.2 million, or $0.15 per share, for the fiscal year ended June 27, 2010, versus net income of $1.2 million, or $0.14 per share, for the prior fiscal year.

Highlights for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2010 included:

• Pre-tax income from continuing operations was $2.2 million for fiscal 2010 compared to $1.9 million for the prior fiscal year, an increase of 16% compared to the prior fiscal year.
• The Company opened more restaurants than it closed for the first time in eleven years. The opening of 25 restaurants during the fiscal year is the most in 5 years, while the closing of 22 restaurants during the year is the least in 13 years.
• Comparable domestic buffet restaurant sales decreased 7% for both fiscal 2010 and for the fourth quarter compared to the prior fiscal year.
• Total comparable domestic restaurant sales decreased 8% for both fiscal 2010 and for the fourth quarter compared to the prior fiscal year.

Charlie Morrison, President and CEO, commented, “We battled through a difficult operating environment in the past year and managed to grow pre-tax income by 16%, which demonstrates the improvements we have made. A net increase in store openings in the year demonstrates the commitment we have made to restoring growth to the brand. Fiscal year 2011 is set up to continue this momentum with more scheduled openings of both company-owned and franchised new restaurants.”

Certain statements in this press release, other than historical information, may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations that involve numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Assumptions relating to these forward-looking statements involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions, regulatory framework and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond Pizza Inn’s control. Although the assumptions underlying these forward-looking statements are believed to be reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate and, therefore, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in these forward-looking statements, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation that Pizza Inn’s objectives and plans will be achieved. 

Pizza Inn, Inc. is an owner, franchisor and supplier of a system of restaurants operating domestically and internationally under the trademark “Pizza Inn.” The Company and its distribution division, Norco Restaurant Services Company, are headquartered in The Colony, Texas. The Company’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “PZZI.”

CiCi’s Pizza, home of the $4.99 endless pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet, announces today its plans to add 500 restaurants in the next eight to ten years.

“Our ‘One Brand’ mission is well underway, ensuring we have a repeatable approach to operations that gives guests across the country a consistent, high-quality experience with every visit,” said Mike Shumsky, CiCi’s Pizza CEO. “Our team of industry leaders will take CiCi’s to the next level and grow the company.”

CiCi’s has hired two industry veterans Bill Spae and Nancy Hampton to drive the expansion of the more than 600-unit company. Spae brings more than 30 years of experience as a president, CEO, investor and franchisee to his position as Chief Development Officer (CDO). Hampton, a 20-plus year restaurant veteran, will serve as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). She brings experience from big-name brands like Chili’s Bar & Grill and Corner Bakery Cafe and most recently ran her own consulting firm.

Both executives were brought on to help lead CiCi’s strategic growth plan. Spae’s team will seek out developers and potential franchisees, particularly those interested in multi-unit agreements. Additionally, the plan targets nontraditional locations, like airports.

“CiCi’s Pizza has an opportunity to double in size,” Spae said. “The company’s value proposition will remain attractive in the marketplace going forward, and CiCi’s pizza buffet is a simple concept that translates well to all kinds of customers.”

Through recent market and demographic research, the company has identified these prime areas for expansion: the Inland Empire, Chicago, Upstate New York, Philadelphia, Miami and Phoenix.

“My goal is growth and lots of it,” Spae said. “But I also want to ensure that CiCi’s grows in a well-researched, strategic, and, most importantly, profitable way. I’m ready and available to talk to those who can partner with us to achieve those goals.”

Marketing will play a key role in CiCi’s strategic plan. As Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Hampton will draw on her experience leading successful reimage campaigns, increasing sales and profits and delivering consistently positive ROIs. Her experience and skills will ensure the success of CiCi’s continued growth initiative and value proposition.

“With its devoted fan base and strong value message, CiCi’s is already on the right path,” Hampton said. “As more consumers get to know CiCi’s and the incredible quality, value and extraordinary service we offer, we know even more pizza lovers will become our loyal guests.”

Both Spae and Hampton joined the CiCi’s team earlier this month. For information on franchise partnerships with CiCi’s Pizza. contact Jim Sheahan, Vice President of Franchise Sales, at jsheahan@cicispizza.com or 972-745-9318.

While the NFL schedule doesn’t officially kick off until this evening, the first winner of the 2010 season is Anthony Green of Phoenix, Ariz., thanks to Papa John’s, the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL, and former NFL star Cris Carter.

Carter, an analyst on ESPN, will moonlight as a pizza delivery driver Thursday night as part of Papa John’s “Fantasy to Reality” campaign, which is designed to make the NFL season “better than ever” for football fans. Pizza delivery by one of the all-time great wide receivers is certainly one way to do it – the grand prize of a sweepstakes conducted by Papa John’s through Facebook as a way to celebrate the fantasy football phenomenon and kickoff the NFL season.

“I was on the receiving end of many passes delivered right on target during my career in the NFL, and this is a chance for me to deliver something every football fan would love to catch – Papa John’s pizza,” Carter said. “Pizza and football go great together and I know Anthony and his friends are going to enjoy the pizza I bring with me, and I’m looking forward to watching the game with them and talking football.”

A father of two, Green and his family are major football fans. “Growing up in Michigan, I am naturally a Detroit fan and a Michigan supporter so the chance to receive a special pizza delivery from Carter, a long-time nemesis in both his NFL and college career, is a true gift,” said Green. “While Cris Carter might have spoiled a few Sundays and Mondays for me while watching football, there’s no denying that there are few wide receivers in the history of football better than him. To have Cris in my house, enjoying some Papa John’s pizza, while watching football — wow, it just doesn’t get much better than that.”

Green is in two fantasy football leagues. And to recognize fantasy football leagues and players throughout the NFL season, Papa John’s, a brand known for “Better Ingredients, Better Pizza,” is searching for the fantasy football league that’s “better than the rest.” Fantasy football players and fans can get information about the contest beginning Thursday on Papa John’s Facebook page or at www.papajohns.com.

A mix of fun and serious ingredients that go into forming and sustaining a great league will be considered, such as: year established, original owners still participating, location of draft party, food served at league events, league name, quality of trophy, scoring system, and more. It’s a chance for fantasy football aficionados to set their league apart from the rest and earn a trip to the 2011 NFL Draft in New York City.

“This is the first of many opportunities Papa John’s fans will have to make this football season better than ever,” said Andrew Varga, Papa John’s chief marketing officer. “We have planned game day specials throughout the season, as well as other ways to thank our loyal customers and the loyal fans of the NFL, which we will continue to unveil as the season gets more and more exciting.”

To help kick off the football season in a big way for fans, Papa John’s is offering “Free Topping Football” – a large pizza for $10 with up to three free toppings. On NFL game days, fans can go bigger with an extra-large pizza and score up to seven free toppings.

Papa John’s is in the first year of a multi-year sponsorship with the NFL and 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, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins.

Pizza Hut Big Italy Pizza

Pizza lovers who believe bigger is better will say bravissimo! to the launch of Pizza Hut’s new Big Italy Pizza – which measures nearly 2 feet long and is bigger than two medium Pizza Hut pizzas. To kick off the launch of the Big Italy Pizza in a big way, Pizza Hut is giving away 1,000 $15 Pizza Hut gift cards to Pizza Hut’s loyal Facebook fans (Facebook.com/PizzaHut) with the Big Italy Pizza Big Giveaway.

“The launch of the Big Italy Pizza calls for a big celebration,” said Brian Niccol, Chief Marketing Officer at Pizza Hut. “That’s why we’re giving away 1,000 pizzas to our loyal Facebook family. When it comes to feeding a hungry crowd, it doesn’t get better – or bigger – than our new Big Italy Pizza.”

The Big Italy Pizza features Italian spices baked into Pizza Hut’s signature Hand-Tossed Style crust – a delicious base for any pizza fan’s favorite toppings from Pizza Hut. The oval-shaped pizza has 18 slices – enough for the whole family – and is just $12 for up to three toppings. The Big Italy Pizza is a limited time offer.

What’s Cooking in the Social Media Kitchen

Pizza Hut fans who are hungry for more information about what’s going on Under the Roof at Pizza Hut now have one place to go for all of the latest news, http://social.PizzaHut.com. For the first time ever, Pizza Hut will provide fans, followers and friends with the latest and greatest from Pizza Hut social media in one place. The hub will host all updates, photo sharing and deals for Pizza Hut fans. With the launch of Under the Roof, social-savvy Pizza Hut aficionados will never miss out on an exclusive mayorship deal or a first peek at news.  

How to Enter the Big Italy Pizza Big Giveaway

Pizza lovers can enter the Big Italy Pizza Big Giveaway by visiting Facebook.com/PizzaHut, becoming a fan of Pizza Hut and submitting to become an instant winner on the Win Big Italy tab. Fans can enter one time per day and winners will be notified instantly. The giveaway runs Sept. 7-16, 2010. Official rules are available on the Win Big Italy tab at Facebook.com/PizzaHut.

Big Italy Pizza Big Giveaway Prize

1,000 pizza fans will win free Big Italy pizzas (in the form of a $15 Pizza Hut gift cards). 100 gift cards will be given away each day from Sept. 7-16, 2010.

For more information on Pizza Hut, visit PizzaHut.com or interact with Pizza Hut at social.PizzaHut.com.

The Economic Times’ (India) Brand Equity Most Trusted Brands 2010 annual survey has named Pizza Hut the “Most Trusted Food Service Brand’ in India for the sixth year, ahead of all other Indian and global food service brands. Pizza Hut is also the only restaurant company to place in the Top 20 Service Brands list. KFC India was recognized for the first time by the survey with a spot in the top five of trusted food service brands. Pizza Hut and KFC India are part of Yum! Restaurants International (YRI), a division of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), the world’s largest restaurant company in terms of system units.

“Congratulations to our entire team in India,” said Graham Allan, Chief Executive Officer, Yum! Restaurants International. “To be recognized for the sixth year as the most trusted food service brand is a true testament to our employees and franchisees. Their hard work, passion and professionalism have been instrumental in making Pizza Hut and KFC leaders in the food service rankings. India is an important emerging market for us. Both Pizza Hut and KFC are proving very popular with consumers and we recently introduced Taco Bell to India with a restaurant in Bangalore. We continue to make significant investments in India as part of our plan to capitalize on this large and rapidly growing market of more than 1 billion people,” added Allan.

The Brand Equity Most Trusted Brands Survey, which appears in The Economic Times’ September 1 edition, ranks the brands that have earned the trust and loyalty of consumers across India. The survey, conducted by ACNielsen’s ORG–MARG market research company, asked more than 8,000 participants, across different socio–economic, age, income and geographic backgrounds, various questions in order to determine each company’s overall trust score about the brands that consumers believe provide quality, consistency and reassurance.

“We are honored to have our Pizza Hut and KFC brands recognized as the most trusted food service brands in India,” said Niren Chaudhary, managing director, Yum! Restaurants International India. “The recognition reflects six years of Pizza Hut’s leading reputation in India and consumers’ enthusiasm for the Brand and demonstrates how we have successfully developed a strong Pizza Hut and KFC presence, highly skilled workforce and an innovative menu. This honor also recognizes the hard work of our passionate franchisees and Customer Maniacs in our restaurants who help provide outstanding service to our customers daily.”

Over the past 12 years, Yum! has become the largest and fastest growing restaurant company in India. As of the second quarter 2010 earnings, the Company had 159 Pizza Huts in 33 cities offering a range of localized products including masala pizza, chicken tikka appetizers and spicy Indian drinks. KFC is the fastest growing quick–service restaurant brand in India with 75 restaurants in 13 cities as of second quarter 2010 earnings. KFC is a young, vibrant brand in India from its contemporary restaurant designs featuring bold colors, open seating areas for large groups and flat–panel televisions to innovative marketing programs to unique signature products, including vegetarian items. The Company also opened the first Taco Bell in India earlier this year. By 2015, the Company forecasts 1,000 KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants in India, up from 235 restaurants as of second quarter 2010.

YRI, based in Dallas, Texas, is the largest division of Yum! Brands with more than 14,000 restaurants outside the U.S. and China. One of Yum! Brands’ four key business strategies is to drive aggressive international expansion and build strong brands everywhere. In 2009, operating profit for YRI was $491 million. The year 2009 also marked the tenth year that YRI has opened more than 900 new restaurants outside the U.S. and China.

Yum! Brands, Inc., based in Louisville, Ky., is the world’s largest restaurant company in terms of system restaurants with more than 37,000 restaurants in more than 110 countries and territories. The company is ranked #216 on the Fortune 500 List, with revenues of nearly $11 billion in 2009. Four of the company’s restaurant brands – KFC, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver’s and Taco Bell – are the global leaders of the chicken, quick–service seafood, pizza and Mexican–style food categories. A&W Restaurants is the longest running quick–service franchise chain in America. Outside the United States, the Yum! Brands system opened more than four new restaurants each day of the year, making it a leader in international retail development. The Company has consistently been recognized for its reward and recognition culture, diversity leadership, community giving, and consistent shareholder returns. In 2007, the Company launched World Hunger Relief, the world’s largest private sector hunger relief effort to raise awareness, volunteerism and funds to benefit the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and other hunger relief agencies. To date, this effort has raised nearly $60 million for WFP and other hunger relief agencies and is helping to provide approximately 250 million meals, saving the lives of millions of people in remote corners of the world where hunger is most prevalent.

Shakey’s USA Inc., operator of the Shakey’s Pizza Parlors franchise, has found a way to boost sales during its slow periods. The secret ingredient? Text messages.

For three months the company posted advertisements promoting its text message campaign in 30 Shakey’s restaurants in Southern California, as well as in print and outdoor media. The campaign sought to build a database of mobile consumers.

The ads asked consumers to text particular words to a specific short message service (SMS) text message number to receive coupons or discounts for the restaurant.

Continue reading . . .

Bob Singh, Pizza Inn

Pizza Inn, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI) today announced that veteran franchisee and Mississippi area developer Bob Singh, of Greenwood, Miss., who has been with the system for more than 30 years, has signed a new Area Development Agreement, committing to another 20 years. The new agreement calls for additional locations to be developed and was secured by a development fee.

“It’s the ultimate endorsement for Pizza Inn that a leader like Bob, who could easily retire, wants to continue growing his success and the success of our franchise network,” said Charlie Morrison, President and CEO of Pizza Inn.   

Singh, 56, who immigrated to the United States at the age of 21, quickly found a home in food service, where he went from flipping burgers to opening restaurants. He opened his first Pizza Inn in 1979. Today he owns 5 Mississippi Pizza Inn locations in Collins, Greenwood, Grenada, Monticello and Hattiesburg and 1 Louisiana location in Franklinton, in addition to a portfolio of other franchise brands. And he isn’t done growing.

An expert of franchising success, Singh has been a leader with Pizza Inn, serving on the Pizza Inn Advertising Board since 1988. He became Pizza Inn’s area developer for all of Mississippi and Franklinton, Louisiana, 20 years ago. Now, with 18 restaurants in the region under his watch, he has big ambitions for more. 

“The Pizza Inn restaurant of today is incredibly exciting, and I’ve been around long enough to know a great opportunity,” Singh said.

His newest Pizza Inn store in Hattiesburg is a shining example of Pizza Inn’s new restaurant prototype. Singh loves the concept and is supportive of where the Pizza Inn brand is headed and how he can champion the system with his own stores and the development of others in his territory. He also credits Pizza Inn’s new corporate-owned locations as a symbol of leading by example to prove the franchise concept at a grassroots level that he embraces.

A recipient of the 2008 Pizza Inn Legacy Award for his long-standing contribution and commitment as a franchisee and the 2009 Griff Glover Winner as franchisee of the year, Singh sees the biggest opportunities ahead of him.

With the NFL’s regular season just days away, as the Official Pizza Sponsor of NFL, Papa John’s is kicking off its busiest season of the year with an integrated marketing program designed to make the football season better than ever for fans and pizza lovers.

Papa John's Calls All-Out Blitz in Support of NFL Sponsorship

Papa John’s NFL playbook includes special promotions and deals for fans throughout the season, a season-long partnership with NBC Sports’ “Football Night in America,” numerous customized sponsorship elements with NFL Network, as well as sponsorship of “NFL Primetime” on ESPN and “Fantasy Football Now” on ESPN2.

“Our sponsorship of the NFL is a strategic play that gives the Papa John’s brand a powerful affiliation with the NFL and co-branding elements that elevate our brand on NFL game days across the season,” said Andrew Varga, Papa John’s chief marketing officer. “As the company that has always believed that better ingredients make a better pizza, our intent as an official sponsor of the NFL is to make the football experience even ‘better’ for fans.”

To activate its partnership with “Football Night in America,” Papa John’s and NBC Sports will create co-branded customized features that will run during the popular NFL studio show, and, in many cases, feature company founder “Papa” John Schnatter, alongside NFL personalities. The first feature will run during “Football Night” on Sunday, September 12 just prior to the Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Redskins game, featuring Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Redskins owner Dan Snyder. In addition, the world’s third-largest pizza chain has designed a customized pizza box that co-brands the partnership and utilizes NBC Sports’ award-winning “Sunday Night is Football Night” campaign with “Make Every Sunday Night a Papa John’s Night.”

“Few things go better together than pizza and football,” said Mike McCarley, NBC Sports SVP, Communications, Marketing & Promotions. “This partnership makes sense because both are strong brands that have strong ties to the NFL and are an important part of special Sunday Nights in living rooms across America, when friends and families gather for food and football.”

With ESPN, Papa John’s will be a Presenting Sponsor of “NFL Primetime,” the network’s highly rated Sunday recap show. The sponsorship will include billboards, logo animation and “Game Ball’ features periodically throughout the season.

Also with ESPN, Papa John’s will serve as the Presenting Sponsor of “Fantasy Football Now,” which airs simultaneously Sunday’s mornings for 90 minutes on ESPN2 and ESPN.com. The sponsorship aligns closely with Papa John’s “Fantasy to Reality” campaign, which targets the avid football fan by searching for the “Fantasy Football League that’s better than the rest.” Introduced last week, the campaign will formally kick off September 9 and run throughout the season at www.papajohns.com and the company’s Facebook page, with the winner receiving a trip to the 2011 NFL Draft in New York City.

Papa John’s will continue its Fantasy Football activation through multiple assets as part of its deal with the NFL Network, including live host mentions during the “Custom Weekly Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em” Fantasy Feature and “Top 10 Fantasy Sleepers” in the “Total Access” program. Plus, Papa John’s will be the Presenting Sponsor of the network’s “Around the League” program, as well as “Game Day Scoreboard.”

To kickoff the football season in a big way for fans, Papa John’s will offer “Free Toppings Football” — a large pizza for $10 with up to three free toppings. On NFL Game Days fans can go bigger with an extra-large pizza and score up to seven free toppings.

Papa John’s is aiming to snare a bigger slice of the $30 billion pizza industry’s pie, which estimates Americans consume 350 slices of pizza per second, or approximately 100 acres per day. That’s enough pizza to cover more than 75 football fields.

Earlier this year, Papa John’s experienced the positive impact that a sponsorship with the NFL can generate. As Official Pizza Sponsor of Super Bowl XLIV, Papa John’s recorded its largest single sales day in brand history, selling more than 900,000 pizzas on Super Bowl Sunday at its 2,800 U.S. restaurants.

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, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins.