A series of opaque white sliding partitions separates the focus group area from a mammoth test kitchen at the new Pizza Hut headquarters.

If taste testers sense too much oregano or not enough basil, chefs, watching on video monitors, can incorporate changes in time for another round of sampling by the same group.

A process that earlier would have taken weeks is reduced to minutes.

As pizza players throughout the country scramble to put new twists on a dish that dates back centuries, the country’s largest pizza chain is looking to its new digs — which were officially dedicated Tuesday — to help boost inspiration and innovation.

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Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers will be opening in Florence, South Carolina on Monday, March 7, 2011, at 120 Dunbarton Dr, Florence, SC 29501 in front of Magnolia Mall.

Matt and Alexandra Duke, owners, explained why they were excited to bring Mellow Mushroom to Florence. “We are thrilled to bring a new level of excitement to the Florence Community. We want to provide the Community with more than just great pizza and beer. We are an experience providing colorful eclectic art, hip music and food that comforts the soul.”

Mellow Mushroom features a creative menu with a wide variety of pizzas, hoagies, salads, calzones, appetizers, vegan options and a gluten-free crust is also available. You can enjoy a creative atmosphere with unique artwork, including a private seating area designed as a passage train in honor of the Railroad system that helped establish Florence, a private stadium club room that can accommodate 50 people, and an exclusive Beer Club featuring over 100 craft beers.

This Mellow will have Trivia Tuesdays, Rock ‘in Bingo Wednesdays, Ladies 80’s Thursdays and Live Music every Saturday. The Mellow Mushroom will operate 7 days a week Monday-Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sundays 11:30 am to 10:00 p.m.

For 36 years Mellow Mushroom has been serving up fresh stone baked pizza’s to-order in an eclectic, art filled environment. Each Mellow is locally-owned and operated with a unique feel, and focused around great customer service and quality.

Papa John’s International has announced that David Flanery is retiring from Papa John’s after 16 years with the company, and named Lance Tucker as Chief Financial Officer. Flanery will continue at the company through May, working closely with Tucker to ensure a smooth transition of duties and responsibilities.

Flanery joined Papa John’s in 1994 after 15 years with Ernst & Young. During his career with Papa John’s he served in several finance and leadership positions, including as CFO since 2004 and interim head of the company’s international division on three separate occasions.

“David has provided sound leadership of our financial functions during an important period of growth for the company,” said Papa John’s co-Chief Executive Officers, John Schnatter and Jude Thompson. “We know our shareholders join all of us at Papa John’s in thanking David for his service to the company and wishing him well in his new endeavors.”

During Flanery’s tenure with the company, Papa John’s grew from a regional chain of 400 restaurants in 1994, to a global brand with 3,700 restaurants in all 50 states and 32 countries today.

“I’ve enjoyed being part of this great company and brand for the last 16 years,” Flanery said. “I’m proud of the role my team and I have been able to play in supporting Papa John’s growth over the years. I believe Papa John’s is well-positioned for growth in the years ahead.”

Tucker, 42, has served as Papa John’s Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and Chief of Staff since 2010, responsible for strategic planning and overseeing the company’s Information Services, Risk Services and Project Management Office. He has 20 years of finance and management experience, including two terms with Papa John’s – including in manager and director of finance roles from 1994 to 1999, focusing on budgeting, analysis and financial reporting; and rejoining the company in 2009 as Chief of Staff and to oversee strategic planning. From 2003 to 2009, Tucker was CFO of Evergreen Real Estate, LLC, an entity owned by company Founder, Chairman and co-CEO, John Schnatter. Tucker is a Certified Public Accountant and started his career with Ernst & Young.

“Lance brings strong finance and restaurant industry experience and a deep understanding of our company to this important role,” said Thompson. “We are confident in his ability to continue Papa John’s commitment to financial discipline and building value for our shareholders.”

“I’m excited to take on the role of Papa John’s CFO,” said Tucker. “I thank David for the work he has done in building a very strong finance team, one that is deep in talent. I look forward to continuing to work closely with our management team and Board of Directors to continue Papa John’s strategic and disciplined growth in the years ahead.”

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John’s International, Inc. 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.