Coppell-based CiCi’s Pizza, a rapidly-expanding 600-unit pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet chain, announced today it has signed agreements for the addition of 16 units over the next five years and hired Wingstop veteran Bruce Evans to lead franchise sales. The moves are part of CiCi’s growth initiative, with the goal of adding 500 restaurants in the next eight to 10 years.

“Texas is a focus in our plan for strategic and sustainable growth,” said Mike Shumsky, CiCi’s Pizza CEO. “Texas has led the nation in job growth for the past decade, and we have strong brand loyalty and brand recognition here. As we continue to build restaurants for long-term success, Texas, as well as Southern California and Southern Florida, will be key to our expansion goals.”

All 16 restaurants will open in the Houston and San Antonio areas. The restaurants will be built by current franchisees Tommy and Tami Marlin and Guillermo Perales, who leads Mucho Pizza, a subsidiary of CG Management. Mucho Pizza already operates more than 50 CiCi’s restaurants in Texas and Maryland.

Perales, a Dallas resident and prominent franchisee who oversees more than 200 restaurants across big-name brands like Burger King, Golden Corral, Denny’s and Popeye’s, will begin developing restaurants in the Houston area this year. One of the largest Latino franchisees in the U.S., Perales has been named one of the top 100 Hispanic entrepreneurs by Poder magazine and is regularly recognized by business organizations as an industry leader for his top-notch operations results.

Current franchisees Tommy and Tami Marlin have also signed on for additional units. The couple, along with their son Shane, already operates eight successful CiCi’s restaurants in Abilene, San Angelo, Laredo and San Antonio, Texas.

“Mr. Perales and the Marlins are exactly the kind of franchisees that will ensure CiCi’s remains profitable as it grows,” said Bill Spae, CiCi’s Pizza Chief Development Officer. “Their experience with best practices and proven track records sets an example, and the tone, for future franchisees.”

New Vice President of Franchise Sales Bruce Evans, a 15-year restaurant and franchise veteran, will work directly with new and potential franchisees to make certain they’re poised for profitability. As director and then vice president of franchise development for Richardson-based Wingstop, Evans developed sales strategies that helped grow the franchise chain from 50 units to more than 500 in just nine years.

“Bruce understands the franchise world and has had measurable success driving the kind of aggressive growth we are seeking,” Spae said. “New franchisees will quickly recognize what an asset he is to our business.”

CiCi’s Pizza, started in Plano, Texas in 1985, is as a family-oriented restaurant with a fresh, hot pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet featuring up to 20 varieties of pizza made with fresh ingredients for $4.99. CiCi’s was recently again ranked No. 1 in its category in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2011 Franchise 500, and has been recognized as a top franchise business. Nation’s Restaurant News ranked CiCi’s No. 1 in the pizza category for the past three years and QSR Magazine named CiCi’s to the 2010 list of the top 50 quick-service restaurant concepts. CiCi’s has also been recognized by USA Today, Restaurants & Institutions, the Wall Street Journal, Franchise Today and Parents. CiCi’s has more than 600 restaurants in 35 states and the recent One Brand Tour, led by CEO Mike Shumsky, ensures each and every franchisee upholds the highest brand standards. CiCi’s corporate support center is led by a strong team of experts with more than 150 years of combined experience in franchising, business, operations, human resources, growth strategy, advertising, marketing and public relations.

For more information about CiCi’s, visit CiCi’s Pizza or www.facebook.com/cicis. For information on CiCi’s franchise opportunities contact Bruce Evans bevans@cicispizza.com at or 972-745-9318.

Domino’s Pizza announced today that, effective March 14, 2011 Mr. Richard (Ritch) Allison will join its leadership team as EVP of International, succeeding Michael T. Lawton, who is now Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Allison, 44, comes to Domino’s after more than 13 years at Bain & Company, Inc.

Bain & Company is a leading global business consulting firm, assisting clients on strategy, operations, mergers and acquisitions, technology and business organization, which is known for generating significant and measurable positive financial results for its clients’ businesses.

As a partner and co-leader of Bain’s restaurant practice, Allison worked with some of the industry’s largest global chains. His work covered strategy and solution development, including market segmentation and growth strategies, marketing and advertising effectiveness measures, menu development and pricing strategy, organizational design, driving operational efficiency and improving supply chain performance. Earlier in his career at Bain, he worked in multiple industries, including grocery retail, specialty services, manufacturing and logistics. In addition to his experience at Bain, Allison worked for BellSouth Corporation in strategic development and online services.

Allison commented on his new post: “I am excited to put my background in business strategy and in the restaurant industry to work for Domino’s. I am looking forward to the opportunity to work for such an iconic consumer brand; and the culture of this company is a perfect fit for me. I hope and plan to make a significant contribution.”

J. Patrick Doyle, President and CEO of Domino’s, said, “Ritch is a perfect addition to the global Domino’s team. I look forward to his applying his broad experience with improving the performance of other major restaurant chains, to the Domino’s global footprint – and helping to make our great international business even better.”

Domino’s Pizza International division comprised 47% of the Company’s retail sales, and had posted 67 consecutive quarters of positive same store sales as of the third quarter 2010, and is one of the largest international enterprises in the restaurant sector.

Allison received his BS in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later earned an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he was named a Dean’s scholar and received the Norman Brock Award. Allison, his wife Susan, son Jake and daughter Emily will relocate to Ann Arbor, Michigan near Domino’s World Resource Center.

Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Pizza today announced it was named to Franchise Business Review’s list of top food franchises for 2011 based on high satisfaction ratings in a survey of its franchise owners. Papa Murphy’s is one of only 19 food companies out of over 150 major brands that can make this claim.

“Are we seeing higher satisfaction rates as the economy improves? Absolutely,” said Eric Stites, President and CEO of national franchise market research firm Franchise Business Review. “But many of the award-winning companies have maintained great satisfaction scores throughout the recession and only continue to improve. It’s very telling when you see a franchisor with impressive franchisee satisfaction even when the economy is struggling.”

The survey asked franchise owners 33 benchmark questions relating to the franchisee’s experience and satisfaction as well as market area, business lifestyle, and other demographic questions. As in years past, Papa Murphy’s outscored the average of all other food industry participants in all categories.

“For the franchisee-franchisor relationship to be successful it needs to be a true partnership where each party respects and trusts the other during both the good and bad times,” said John Barr, CEO of Papa Murphy’s. “I’m very proud of the relationship we have with our franchise partners and am pleased to see that they feel the same about us!”

Papa Murphy’s is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country and the pioneer of the take ‘n’ bake pizza segment. Papa Murphy’s operates over 1,200 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 37 states and Canada. The Vancouver, Wash.-based company offers custom-made pizzas featuring high-quality, fresh toppings generously layered on pizza dough that is made fresh each morning in each store.  By baking Papa Murphy’s pizzas at home, customers get to experience the home-baked aroma of a convenient, delicious meal that the brand is known for. In addition to handmade pizzas, the company offers other take ‘n’ bake items such as Cheesy Bread, Cinnamon Wheels, and chocolate chip cookie dough. Papa Murphy’s was voted “#1 Rated Pizza Chain” by surveyors in Zagat Survey’s 2010 Fast Food Survey and is a four-time recipient of Pizza Today’s Chain of the Year award. For more information, visit www.papamurphys.com or go to Facebook at www.facebook.com/papamurphyspizza.

Domino’s Pizza isn’t slowing down when it comes to improving its menu.  Beginning today, customers can try the debut of its new chicken – the next chapter in the Domino’s story of reinvention, transparency and delivering on what customers ask for. The campaign will mark the first time Domino’s has run a national promotion around its chicken products since 2002.  

Customers have spoken, and Domino’s continues to listen and respond. Available for delivery and carryout beginning today, the latest permanent menu feature for Domino’s consists of two newly revamped chicken products – boneless chicken and wings –accompanied by a brand new national campaign that takes people through the story of an unlikely, hopeful hero within the Domino’s test kitchen.

“We want to continue innovating, and reinventing our menu and brand – and our new chicken is the next chapter of our story,” said J. Patrick Doyle, Domino’s Pizza president and chief executive officer. “Not only are our new boneless chicken and wings much improved based on customer feedback, but we are again opening our doors and letting consumers see the real people – behind the real story – talk about how this came about.”  

The real person behind this story is Tate – the secluded chicken chef within a pizza company. Tasked with an opportunity to execute the rebirth of a product not often at the forefront of the minds of Domino’s fans, Tate’s story is the highlight of a campaign designed to take consumers through the challenges and triumphs of leading such a project. The result is a product that everyone at Domino’s is excited to add to its proud menu – one consisting of much more than just pizza.

The new, tastier chicken wings are available in hot, BBQ and new Sweet Mango Habanero – while the new boneless chicken gives customers more choice on how to customize to their specific tastes. In addition to the new boneless chicken, made with 100 percent whole white breast meat lightly breaded with savory herbs, a selection of dipping sauces will provide multiple options. These are sure to please those who either want to spice things up with Sweet Mango Habanero or Kickers Hot sauces, or go with more traditional dipping options like BBQ sauce or Ranch.  

“Over 80 percent of our menu consists of new, permanent menu items introduced since 2008, so the desire to continue getting better goes well beyond just our pizza,” said Russell Weiner, Domino’s Pizza chief marketing officer. “Tate’s story will give consumers another peek within the Domino’s world, and combines an underdog success story with our desire to continue creating great food.”

“The feedback we heard from consumers was that they wanted more choice and customization with the boneless chicken,” said Weiner. “And of course, we know how loyal wing-lovers are, so we strived to deliver on providing a better texture and flavor.”

Beginning March 2, coinciding with the start of the TV campaign, consumers will be able to provide their feedback on the new chicken, as well as view the full documentary about Tate by visiting more.dominos.com.

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (CPK) (NASDAQ: CPKI), a leading casual dining chain featuring an imaginative line of hearth-baked pizzas, today announced the opening of its tenth full-service restaurant in Mexico. Opened by CPK franchise partner Grupo Calpik, S.A.P.I. de C.V., the new location is the third California Pizza Kitchen in Naucalpan de Juárez, a northwest suburb of Mexico City.

The 6,400 square-foot CPK seats approximately 210 people and is located on the first floor, near the main entrance, of the new Terraza Lomas Verdes shopping center.

Tastefully decorated with warm colors and rich textures, the restaurant will open Monday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m., Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Guests can choose to dine inside, on the large outdoor patio or place a take-out order.

The menu will feature all of the popular CPK favorites including everything from the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza and Waldorf Chicken Salad to the Kung Pao Spaghetti and Avocado Egg Rolls.

The new restaurant will also offer an extensive beverage menu from its full bar, including the CPK Ultimate Margarita and other signature favorites such as the Original Recipe Mojitos.

Additional CPK restaurants are located in Guadalajara, Cancun and the following suburbs of Mexico City: Lomas Verdes, Bosques de Las Lomas, Polanco District, Santa Fe, Coyoacán and Satelite.

Pizza De la Comunidad, LLC has opened its first of 11 locations in San Diego on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 1815 E. Valley Parkway in Escondido.

“We have been very busy since the opening,” said Pete Tucker, the restaurant industry veteran that formed Pizza De la Comunidad, LLC with an investment group of local San Diego business professionals including Robert Rubio, of the Rubio family, founders of Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill. “We can’t be more pleased to have this first one open and serving the community. And, the response has been even better than we hoped.”

Tucker, who has over 25 years of restaurant industry experience, says the group continues to search for good locations for the next ten stores they have planned for San Diego County.

“We are thrilled to see the first San Diego store open, just in time for the big game,” said Guillermo Estrada, president of Pizza Patrón. “If anyone can handle that kind of volume that fast, it is Pete and Robert, very experienced developers. They have our brand up and running here in record time, and we’re privileged to have their team developing this important market for us.”

Pizza Patrón has been credited with creating the country’s first chain of Latin focused pizza restaurants. The company currently operates 100 stores in seven states and plans to have 750 stores nationwide within a decade. Over 90 percent of Pizza Patrón restaurants in the U.S. are owned and operated by franchisees.

Domino’s Pizza (NYSE: DPZ) today announced that it has refranchised its 26 company-owned stores to a local owner-operator. The change of ownership took place today. With the acquisition, Franchisee Bill Graves’ company, Ultimate Challenge, LLC, becomes the third-largest U.S. Domino’s Pizza franchise, operating 73 stores in six states.

“The strength of Domino’s Pizza is its franchise system,” said Scott Hinshaw, Executive Vice President of Franchise Operations and Development. “With nearly 1,200 franchisees in markets around the world, we’ve found that local, hands-on leadership is crucial to our success. Throughout our history, we have strategically refranchised corporate stores where it makes sense. Minneapolis is an important market for us and we are pleased that Bill Graves has decided to further invest in this market with this purchase. We are confident he can help make Domino’s Pizza the dominant player in Minneapolis.”

Graves opened his first Domino’s Pizza store in 1985. Since that time, he went on to open 46 more, and operates stores in Minnesota, Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Graves announced that all current store employees are eligible to retain their positions within his franchise. No stores will be closed as a result of this sale; instead, Graves intends to use this investment as a way to grow further in this market.

With this transaction, Domino’s Pizza LLC operates 429 company-owned stores throughout the United States, or less than 5 percent of its global stores.

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc. (Nasdaq:CPKI) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2010 ending January 2, 2011.

Highlights for the 13-week fourth quarter of 2010 relative to the 14-week fourth quarter of 2009 were as follows:

• Total revenues decreased 5.9% to $157.9 million. Total revenues increased 3.2% excluding the additional week of fourth quarter 2009 restaurant sales.
• Full-service comparable restaurant sales decreased 1.1% including an estimated 1.4% negative impact due to unfavorable weather conditions and the holiday shift.
• Non-GAAP net income of $4.1 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, excluding the effects of litigation and settlement costs, expenses related to the review of strategic alternatives, store closure costs, and the related tax benefits (please refer to the reconciliation table).
• Net income of $0.4 million or $0.02 per diluted share.

Highlights for the 52-week fiscal year 2010 relative to the 53-week fiscal year 2009 were as follows:

• Total revenues decreased 3.4% to $642.2 million. Total revenues decreased 1.2% excluding the additional week in the fourth quarter of 2009 .
• Full-service comparable restaurant sales decreased 2.4%.
• Non-GAAP net income of $17.1 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, excluding the effects of the non-cash impairment write-down of 10 full-service restaurants, litigation and proposed settlement costs, expenses related to the review of strategic alternatives, store closure costs and the related tax benefits (please refer to the reconciliation table).
• Net loss of $0.4 million, or negative $0.02 per diluted share.

Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, co-CEOs of California Pizza Kitchen, stated, “We were pleased to deliver fourth quarter earnings that exceeded our previous guidance and that our comparable restaurant sales, absent the inclement weather and holiday shift, were positive. Strong labor management also helped us achieve lower costs as a percentage of restaurant sales.”

Rosenfield and Flax continued, “In 2011, we are strategically focused on enhancing our brand and evolving our menu to drive traffic and further differentiate California Pizza Kitchen from its casual dining competitors. As part of that effort, we are also targeting margin improvement by streamlining our menu and implementing a series of productivity initiatives. As always, our overriding goal in managing our strong, debt free balance sheet is to increase our return on assets, bolster cash flow and maximize system-wide performance. We believe this will lead to long term and sustainable growth in shareholder value.”

Average weekly sales for the Company’s 200 full-service restaurants were $57,687 in the fourth quarter of 2010 compared to $57,949 in the same quarter last year.

During the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company opened full-service restaurants in Bridgewater, NJ; Pittsburgh, PA; Tucson, AZ; and Shanghai, China. International franchise partners opened a full-service restaurant in Mexico City, Mexico, the Company’s ninth location in the country, and a third full-service restaurant in Dubai, UAE.

The Company also outlined financial guidance for the first quarter of 2011 based on the following estimates and assumptions:

• Full-service comparable restaurant sales between negative 1.0% and negative 2.0% (includes the effects of 172 weather related/store closure days in January 2011 versus only 64 such days in January 2010).
• Opening one Company-owned full-service restaurant.
• Opening two international franchised restaurants.
• Earnings in the range of $0.03 to $0.05 per diluted share.

The Company will host a conference call today at approximately 4:30 pm ET. A webcast of the conference call can be accessed at www.cpk.com.

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 265 restaurants, 207 are company-owned and 58 operate under franchise or license agreements. There are currently 33 restaurants located internationally in China, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, South Korea, Guam, India, Indonesia and United Arab Emirates. 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.

Round Table Pizza, Inc. said yesterday it filed a petition for protection under Chapter 11 with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Oakland designed to improve the company’s cash flow and stabilize its business through recapitalization of its debt and renegotiation of above-market leases. Despite improving business performance and expense reductions, the company said seeking legal protection under Chapter 11 was necessary to improve the company’s competitiveness as the economy recovers.

This action will not impact Round Table’s 148 franchisees that operate 355 independently owned Round Table Pizza restaurants on the West Coast. Round Table Pizza, Inc. said that it will close some unprofitable, company-owned restaurants but stressed that most of its company-owned locations and all of its franchised locations will remain open, with minimal impact on consumers.

“Our company has experienced consistent growth and management has been responsive to the difficult economic environment,” explained Rob McCourt, the Company’s President who has also been appointed CEO by the Board of Directors. “Unfortunately, we are compelled to take further steps, including this reorganization plan, to meaningfully address the high cost of our capital and above-market leases.

“Round Table remains open for business and fully operational, and we will continue to serve our customers The Last Honest Pizza,” said McCourt.

McCourt also said that the company was placing a high priority on communication to employees, franchisees, vendors, and other key audiences through the reorganization process, which is expected to take approximately 6 to 12 months.

Founded in Menlo Park, CA in 1959, Round Table Pizza has been a west coast institution for 50 years. Round Table has grown to be a leader in the premium pizza market and focuses on serving the needs of families. The company, known for making “The Last Honest Pizza,” has a system of approximately 470 franchised and company-owned stores operating in the western U.S. with system revenues in excess of $400 million. Round Table Pizza, Inc. is a private, 100% employee-owned company with corporate offices based in Concord, California.

Chocolates are great. Flowers are nice. And diamonds say, “I love you.” But to really heat things up this Valentine’s Day, a Papa John’s heart-shaped pizza will certainly do! Available now through Feb. 14, couples and loved ones can skip the crowded, over-priced dine-out spots by ordering this limited-time pizza that everyone will take to heart.

Last year, Papa John’s sold more than 60,000 heart-shaped pizzas, proving many consumers forgo the fancy Valentine’s Day dinner to spend quality time at home with significant others, friends and family.

“For some, our heart-shaped pizza has become a Valentine’s Day tradition,” Papa John’s chief marketing officer Andrew Varga said. “As Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday this year, it’s a great night to be able to celebrate at home with a fresh, hot heart-shaped pizza that is delivered right to the door.”

To please even the most discerning couples and families alike, customers can mix and match toppings to ensure everyone receives exactly what they were hoping for on Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is traditionally one of the busiest days for restaurants. The average love struck consumer will spend $120 on Valentine’s Day related gifts and events.

Pizza Inn, Inc. (Nasdaq:PZZI) has reported net income of $0.4 million, or $0.05 per share, for the fiscal quarter ended December 26, 2010, versus net income of $0.4 million, or $0.05 per share, for the same quarter of the prior fiscal year on total revenue of $10.4 million for each of the fiscal quarters ended December 26, 2010 and December 27, 2009.

For the six months ended December 26, 2010, Company revenues were $21.0 million compared to $20.4 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Net income for the six months ended December 26, 2010 was $0.5 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to $0.8 million, or $0.09 per share, for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The decline in net income is primarily attributable to $0.3 million of depreciation expense associated with the closure of a company store opened prior to the rollout of the new buffet prototype.

Highlights for the second quarter of fiscal year 2011 included:

• Sales from Company-owned restaurants increased 20%, or $0.2 million, in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the same quarter of the prior fiscal year, primarily due to the opening of a new buffet location in Lewisville, Texas in December, 2010 and the acquisition of a delivery carryout location from a franchisee in September, 2010. The new buffet restaurant was the third such Company-owned location opened since September, 2009.
• Comparable domestic buffet restaurant sales decreased 2.2% for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the same quarter of the prior fiscal year.
• Chain-wide comparable domestic restaurant sales decreased 2.6% for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to the same quarter of the prior fiscal year.
• The 0% First Year Royalty incentive program has resulted in seven buffet openings in the last six fiscal quarters, with an eighth buffet unit opened in the current quarter. Waived royalties under this incentive program were $58,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2011 and $131,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2011. All of these new buffet units began or will begin paying royalties in fiscal year 2011 or 2012.
• Subsequent to quarter end, the Company entered into an amendment to its Loan Agreement with Amegy Bank that increased the term loan facility to $2.56 million, providing additional growth capital for continued Company-owned restaurant expansion.

Charlie Morrison, President and CEO, commented, “We successfully opened our fifth company store in December, the second opening of this fiscal year, and secured additional financing to continue with our growth plans. This, combined with openings of eight new buffet restaurants in the last 18 months across the US under our $0 First Year Royalty incentive program, continues to position us for future growth. Although we continue to face difficult commodity markets and price competition in our category, we expect to see continued improvement in same store sales for the balance of this fiscal year.”

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.”

While Super Bowl XLV did not go into overtime, Papa John’s, as the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL, announced today that customers can receive up to seven free toppings – the number of touchdowns scored Sunday – on a large cheese pizza ordered online at regular menu price.

Papa John’s “Toppings for Touchdowns” offer runs today through Wednesday, Feb. 9, for orders made at www.papajohns.com. The promotion follows a company-record Super Bowl Sunday when Papa John’s sold more than 1 million pizzas, in addition to giving away $45 Papa Cards every 45 seconds throughout the day to randomly selected customers ordering online.

Had the Super Bowl gone into overtime, as previously announced Papa John’s was set to give a free large three-topping pizza to each of its more than 1.1 million My Papa Points online customer loyalty program members.

“As the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL and Super Bowl XLV, the entire season was a tremendous success for Papa John’s,” company Chief Marketing Officer Andrew Varga said. “Toppings for Touchdowns is a great way to celebrate and, most importantly, thank our customers for a great season.”

Papa John’s is in the first year of a multi-year sponsorship with the NFL. Papa John’s is also the Official Pizza of the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, 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 10 of the past 11 years, consumers have rated Papa John’s No. 1 in customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Papa John’s also was honored by Restaurants & Institutions Magazine (R&I) with the 2009 Gold Award for Consumers’ Choice in Chains in the pizza segment. Papa John’s is the Official Pizza Sponsor of the National Football League and Super Bowl XLV, XLVI and XLVII. For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Papa John’s at www.papajohns.com.

OVERTIME PIZZA GIVEAWAY

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) 18 AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes ends 2/5/11 at 11:59 P.M. ET. For Official Rules and complete details, visit www.papajohns.com. Sponsor: Papa John’s International, Inc. The NFL Entities (as defined in the official rules) have not offered or sponsored this Sweepstakes in any way. ©2011 NFL Properties LLC. All NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.

45-SECOND PIZZA GIVEAWAY

NO PURCHASE OR ORDER NECESSARY. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) 18 AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Starts 2/6/11 at 10:00 A.M., ET and ends 2/6/11 at 9:59:59 P.M., ET. See Official Rules at www.papajohns.com. Sponsor: Papa John’s International, Inc. The NFL Entities (as defined in the official rules) have not offered or sponsored this Sweepstakes in any way. ©2011 NFL Properties LLC. All NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.

© 2011 NFL Properties LLC. Team names/logos/indicia are trademarks of the teams indicated. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.

It’s a rare confluence of gridiron and gastronomy.

On Super Bowl Sunday, North Texas will host football’s biggest game. And for many local pizza purveyors, it will be the year’s biggest day.

 Few regions this side of Tuscany have a bigger stake in pizza than North Texas, which is home to three of the top 10 chains — including the nation’s largest — plus three more in the top 50.

No other region in the U.S. has such a hefty slice.

Continue reading . . .

So many calls to Papa John’s in Marietta are expected on Super Bowl Sunday that fully staffed won’t even cut it for the business – they’ve hired extra workers just for the day.

The 3,200-restaurant Papa John’s chain expects to ship more than 2 million pounds of cheese and 350,000 pounds of pepperoni through its distribution center, involving 300,000 miles of travel or 1.3 round trips to the moon, according to Tony Thompson, president of Papa John’s Food Service.

The Domino’s Pizza chain expects to deliver more than 9 million slices of pizza Sunday.

Continue reading . . .

With kickoff of Super Bowl XLV just two days away, more than 1 million Americans already are eligible to score a free large three-topping pizza if the game goes into overtime Sunday.

Papa John’s, the Official Pizza Sponsor of the NFL and Super Bowl XLV, announced Jan. 24 that it will give away a free pizza to everyone in America if the Super Bowl goes into overtime for the first time in history. To be eligible, all consumers need to do is register for Papa John’s online customer loyalty program, My Papa Points, at www.papajohns.com, by 11:59 p.m. ET Saturday, Feb. 5.

“The response to our Super Bowl XLV overtime promotion has been tremendous – from consumers, media, bloggers and others, and it’s a testament to the die-hard passion America has for the highest quality football and pizza – the NFL and Papa John’s,” said Andrew Varga, Papa John’s Chief Marketing Officer. “This year’s Super Bowl is being touted as one of the most evenly matched games in years, and if it goes into overtime, Papa John’s will make history with the biggest free pizza delivery of all time.”

If Super Bowl XLV goes into overtime, My Papa Points enrollees will be rewarded the next day with 25 Papa Points – the amount of points needed to redeem a large up to three-topping pizza. Consumers can redeem the 25 Papa Points for the free pizza anytime through June 30, 2011.

Papa John’s is also enhancing the Super Bowl experience by giving away $45 Papa John’s Papa Cards every 45 seconds on Super Bowl Sunday for consumers who order online at papajohns.com between 10 a.m. and 9:59 p.m. ET. Papa John’s will randomly select one online customer every 45 seconds to win a $45 Papa Card.

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, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, 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 10 of the past 11 years, consumers have rated Papa John’s No. 1 in customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains in the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Papa John’s also was honored by Restaurants & Institutions Magazine (R&I) with the 2009 Gold Award for Consumers’ Choice in Chains in the pizza segment. Papa John’s is the Official Pizza Sponsor of the National Football League and Super Bowl XLV, XLVI and XLVII. For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Papa John’s at www.papajohns.com.

OVERTIME PIZZA GIVEAWAY

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) 18 AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes ends 2/5/11 at 11:59 P.M. ET. For Official Rules and complete details, visit www.papajohns.com. Sponsor: Papa John’s International, Inc. The NFL Entities (as defined in the official rules) have not offered or sponsored this Sweepstakes in any way. ©2011 NFL Properties LLC. All NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.

45-SECOND PIZZA GIVEAWAY

NO PURCHASE OR ORDER NECESSARY. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.) 18 AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Starts 2/6/11 at 10:00 A.M., ET and ends 2/6/11 at 9:59:59 P.M., ET. See Official Rules at www.papajohns.com. Sponsor: Papa John’s International, Inc. The NFL Entities (as defined in the official rules) have not offered or sponsored this Sweepstakes in any way. ©2011 NFL Properties LLC. All NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.

© 2011 NFL Properties LLC. Team names/logos/indicia are trademarks of the teams indicated. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League.

Larry Lundy, a well-known New Orleans businessman and Pizza Hut magnate who owned dozens of the franchises in southeast Louisiana that abruptly closed last month, filed a counterclaim Monday against the pizza chain, claiming it hampered his company’s profitability as it attempted to squeeze him out of the market.

Lundy Enterprises, the company’s franchisee for New Orleans and Baton Rouge, owned 44 Pizza Hut locations at the time of the most recent court proceedings, including two in New Orleans, according to a lawsuit filed Jan. 3 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Dallas.

Painting a picture of a contentious relationship, Lundy, who owned Lundy Enterprises with his wife, Marilyn, says in his counterclaim that Pizza Hut imposed unfair credit terms on him, refused to allow his chain of restaurants to introduce new products that were available in other markets, and schemed to reclaim his territories for the corporation.

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As if the delicious, pepperoni Heart-Shaped Pizza wasn’t enough to please Papa Murphy’s customers this Valentine’s Day, the take ‘n’ bake chain announced today the launch of its S’mores Dessert Pizza. The decadent treat is made with real Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, mini marshmallows and a delicious crisp topping. The S’mores Dessert Pizza paired with the Heart-Shaped Pizza is the perfect solution for a couple’s sweet and savory cravings this Valentine’s Day.

“Like some of our most popular pizzas, the S’mores Dessert Pizza evolved from feedback from our franchise owners and guests,” said Carron Harris, VP of product development. “We tested it in several markets and the customer response was phenomenal! It’s a great addition to our dessert options.”  

The S’mores Dessert Pizza and Heart-Shaped Pizza are both budget-friendly products that are made fresh each day in Papa Murphy’s 1,200+ locations and baked up hot in a customer’s oven. Price and participation varies nationwide.

Papa Murphy’s is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country and the pioneer and leader of the take ‘n’ bake pizza segment. Papa Murphy’s operates over 1,200 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 37 states and Canada. The Vancouver, Wash.-based company offers custom-made pizzas featuring high-quality, fresh toppings generously layered on pizza dough that is made fresh each morning in each store.  By baking Papa Murphy’s pizzas at home, customers get to experience the home-baked aroma of a convenient, delicious meal that the brand is known for. In addition to handmade pizzas, the company offers a growing menu of take ‘n’ bake items, including Cheesy Bread, Cinnamon Wheels, and chocolate chip cookie dough. Papa Murphy’s was recently voted “#1 Rated Pizza Chain” by surveyors in Zagat Survey’s 2010 Fast Food Survey and is a four-time recipient of Pizza Today’s Chain of the Year award. For more information, visit www.papamurphys.com. Find Papa Murphy’s on Facebook at www.facebook.com/papamurphyspizza.