Tag Archives: Pizza

Pizza Fusion Appoints Mark Begelman as CEO

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Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (PRWEB) October 14, 2008

Pizza Fusion (Pizza Fusion), America’s pioneer of environmentally-friendly restaurant service and the first ever organic pizza franchise, announced today the appointment of Mark Begelman as CEO to steer the company through an aggressive national franchise expansion. Begelman, former President of Office Depot who was twice named Ernst and Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” and named Financial News’ “CEO of the Year,” will oversee Pizza Fusion’s growth as the company moves ahead with their plans to open 500 U.S. franchises over the next five years.

“What attracted me most to Pizza Fusion was their menu it’s the best tasting pizza I’ve ever eaten,” Begelman explains. “Pizza Fusion offers delicious food with a purpose.” Pizza Fusion is the first and only pizza franchise in America to offer totally organic and fresh food. “To have great food and be socially conscious is great for customers and prospective franchisees alike,” Begelman continues. “Pizza Fusion offers a healthy alternative to what has historically been referred to as “junk” food. Pizza Fusion is everything I want my family to embrace. Healthy, delicious, and organic food served by a restaurant that’s doing its part to contribute to the preservation of the planet.”

Begelman co-founded Office Club in 1986, one of the nation’s first big-box office supply retailers and took the company public in 1989 before merging it with Office Depot. Following the merger, Begelman served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Office Depot from 1991 to 1995, during which time, he managed the company from 127 stores at $ 900 million in revenues to $ 4.5 billion in revenues with 460 retail locations nationwide; the company’s market capitalization grew from $ 900 million to $ 5.5 billion. Begelman left Office Depot in 1995, to start what became Mars Music, the fastest growing musical instrument retailer in the country during its time, and grew it to over 52 superstores with over $ 350 million in revenues. Most recently, Begelman was managing director of Woodbridge Holdings.

At Pizza Fusion, Begelman will oversee the company’s franchise development and support systems, as well as direct the company throughout the chain’s already aggressive growth with more than 75 franchises in development in 15 states around the country, from California to New Jersey.

Vaughan Lazar, co-founder and former CEO of Pizza Fusion, has transitioned into the role of President, where he’ll maintain a key role in the leadership of the company with further developing the restaurants’ environmental initiatives, overseeing the chain’s marketing and overall culture, and directing Pizza Fusion’s philanthropic endeavors.

“Mike, Randy, and I are very pleased to welcome Mark into the Pizza Fusion family,” Lazar states. “His demonstrated expertise in growing businesses will be invaluable with upholding the integrity Pizza Fusion was founded upon throughout the rapid expansion ahead of us. Furthermore, his personality and socially conscious lifestyle is a great match with the core values we’re so passionate about. We’re proud to have Mark as a part of our team.”

Pizza Fusion is the only franchise in the world to build all their restaurants to LEED certification standards and mandate third party organic restaurant certification at all their locations. Their restaurants feature a number of unique, eco-efficient products, techniques and designs, such as eliminating the need for water heaters by reusing heat from their ovens to warm their water. Additionally, Pizza Fusion delivers all their food in company owned hybrid vehicles and offsets 100 percent of their power consumption with the purchase of green-e certified renewable wind energy certificates.

About Pizza Fusion

Founded in the best interest of the individual and the environment, Pizza Fusion combines a fresh, organic menu with an industry-leading environmental approach to restaurant service in chic LEED certified dining establishments. Pizza Fusion specializes in gourmet pizza, ciabatta sandwiches, salads, desserts, and organic beers and wines all in their purest form – untainted by artificial additives, such as pesticides, preservatives, antibiotics and hormones. With numerous franchises opening across the U.S., Pizza Fusion is well on its way to ‘saving the earth, one pizza at a time.’ For additional information, visit: Pizza Fusion.

For editorial inquires, contact:

Eric Haley

Vice President of Communications

Pizza Fusion

6555 Powerline Rd., Suite 101

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

Office: (954) 449-7244

Fax: (954) 449-4957

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Domino’s Pizza Hits the Road

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(PRWeb UK) February 17, 2011

Dominos, the pizza delivery expert, is set to open up to 43 sites on Britains motorways as part of a new deal with motorway services operator Moto Hospitality Limited. The first two stores, due to open in the spring, will be on the M4 at Leigh Delamare East in Wiltshire and the M40 at Cherwell Valley in Oxfordshire. Both will open during the early part of 2011. The stores will be franchised, in line with all Dominos sites in the UK, and will be operated by Moto.

The stores will run a full Dominos pizza menu, be open until 11pm in line with traditional Dominos trading hours and allow passengers to order ahead using an iPhone or mobile optimised website, so a delicious, piping-hot pizza will be ready and waiting on their arrival at the services.

Chris Moore, chief executive of Dominos Pizza said: This is a fantastic new opportunity for Dominos. As we progress towards our target of at least 1,200 stores by 2020, we will be looking at all sorts of non-traditional locations. Motorway services have really developed over the last five years and this is a great chance for us to start feeding hungry road users.

Giving customers the chance to order ahead or even place their orders before they set off on their journey brings a whole new dimension to the service station experience. The delicious taste of a freshly-made Dominos pizza will literally be a few junctions away. All the stores will have a unique phone number like a traditional store too so if theyve got a hands free kit, drivers themselves will be able to place orders for collection.

Tim Moss, chief executive of Moto Hospitality Limited, said: Dominos is a great brand to have in our portfolio. Over recent years, we have added a range of high street brands to our service stations and the addition of fresh pizza will undoubtedly be very popular with our customers.

Notes for editors:

Dominos Pizza UK & IRL plc is the leading player in the fast-growing pizza delivery market and holds the exclusive master franchise to own, operate and franchise Dominos Pizza stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The first UK store opened in Luton in 1985 and the first Irish store opened in 1991.

As at 26 December 2010, there were 665 stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Of these, 527 stores are in England, 47 are in Scotland, 26 are in Wales, 15 are in Northern Ireland, one is on the Isle of Man, 48 are in the Republic of Ireland and one is a mobile unit.

Founded in 1960, Dominos Pizza is one of the worlds leading pizza delivery brands. Through its primarily franchised system, Dominos Pizza operates a global network of more than 9,000 Dominos Pizza stores in over 65 countries. Dominos Pizza has a singular focus the home delivery of pizza, freshly made to order with high quality ingredients.

Customers in the UK can order online at http://www.dominos.co.uk and customers in the Republic of Ireland can order online at http://www.dominos.ie. In addition, iPhone customers can order by downloading the free Dominos app.

Moto Hospitality Ltd is Britains biggest operator of motorway service areas, with 48 sites catering for the needs of over 100 million travellers every year. Moto is owned by Macquarie Bank, a diversified international provider of specialist investment banking and financial services, with more than 8000 people in 23 countries. Macquarie Bank is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, with a market capitalisation of approx

Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza Offers Customers $50,000 with College Bracket Buster Promo

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Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) February 26, 2009

Pizza-loving basketball fans have a shot at $ 50,000 in cash, thanks to Bracket Buster ― the college basketball tournament promotion being launched in March by Boston’s The Gourmet Pizza, a casual dining chain with locations in 26 states throughout the country.

Boston’s Bracket Buster, an online bracket promotion tied to the March college basketball tournament games, gives customers a chance to share in the excitement of the basketball tournament craze and pick their way to a grand prize of $ 50,000 or other smaller prizes.

To play, customers simply log onto http://www.bostonsgourmet.com and select the Boston’s Bracket Buster link. Upon registration, customers are able to select their picks for the first round of playoff games. Before the start of each of the six rounds, customers are invited to come back to select their picks for the upcoming round. One grand prize of $ 50,000 is available if any customer selects 60 or more correct picks out of the 63 games. Two $ 1,000 prizes are up for grabs for customers who make 57 to 59 correct picks, and up to 20 $ 100 prizes will be awarded to customers who select 55 to 56 correct picks.

CiCi’s Pizza Finds The Right Ingredients In Ad Giants

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Dallas, TX (PRWEB) March 12, 2009

Dallas, Texas based online brand-management and marketing-services provider, Ad Giants, LLC, announced this week that CiCi’s Pizza has chosen to add to its marketing efforts two Ad Giants products: The ONE System for marketing brand management and; PitchRocket, the dynamic, flash-based sales-messaging engine.

CiCi’s, based in Coppell, Texas, operates 650 restaurants in 30 states and expects to open 80-100 new units per year over the next five years. Each CiCi’s location provides its customers with the Ultimate Pizza Experience through a gourmet buffet of pastas, salads, desserts and 16 kinds of fresh-from-the-oven pizzas. CiCi’s was ranked among the Top 25 Franchises in 2005 by The Wall Street Journal and ranked number one for sales and unit growth in the pizza chain category for the past three years by Nation’s Restaurant News.

“We’re thrilled to be adding CiCi’s to our company roster”, said David Farmer, CEO of Ad Giants. “And we’re doubly thrilled that they’ve chosen to capitalize on the value of implementing not just one, but two of our marketing-management tools. The synergy they will build by deploying The ONE System for marketing distribution, ad customization, and brand control; along with the sales-generation, franchisee-recruitment, and customer-retention capabilities provided through their implementation of the PitchRocket messaging tool, will play a significant role in helping CiCi’s meet their sales and marketing goals.”

“The Ad Giants relationship represents an opportunity to do truly cutting-edge, world-class Local Store Marketing (LSM) that drives sales, and is right in line with our LSM goals,” said Tom Koenigsberg, Chief Marketing Officer at CiCi’s. “I know I speak for the entire CiCi’s Marketing Team when I say we really look forward to maximizing Ad Giants’ resources. It’s going to allow us to do some great work that will generate GREAT results!”

About CiCi’s Pizza:

Founded in 1985, CiCi’s Pizza is a family-oriented restaurant serving guests fresh pizza, pasta, salad and dessert, all you want for five bucks and change. CiCi’s mission then and now is to exceed each guest’s expectation in food, service and cleanliness at an affordable price. Since opening its first restaurant in Plano, Texas, CiCi’s has grown to 650 restaurants in 30 states.

For more information contact:

Janet Forgrieve, Aiello Public Relations & Marketing

303-355-3838 (O) 303-324-0377 (M)

About Ad Giants

Ad Giants, LLC is a next-generation marketing services company based in Dallas, Texas. Its flagship product, the Ad Giants ONE System, is an intuitive, online marketing automation system that enables companies to protect and control their most valuable asset, their brand. Ad Giants’ new product, PitchRocket, helps customers generate and nurture more leads and provides specific analytics for campaigns. Ad Giants products allow users to quickly and easily customize, order and track corporate-approved marketing materials and campaigns for local use. It streamlines workflow, ensures field-level compliance to brand standards, reduces overhead, eliminates production waste, tracks results and boosts marketing ROI.

For more information contact:

Bob Cox, Ad Giants

214.347.9273 (O)

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Pizza Fusion Co-Founder Selects OTA’s 2009 New Product Winners

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Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (PRWEB) June 27, 2009

Vaughan Lazar, president and co-founder of Pizza Fusion (http://www.pizzafusion.com), recently returned from Chicago where he partook in the 2009 All Things Organic tradeshow, hosted by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). At the show, Vaughan was part of a distinguished panel of food professionals who gathered on site to judge the selected finalists for the OTA’s 2009 New Organic Product Competition and choose the winners. Vaughan sat alongside Scott P. Silverman, category director (Natural & Organic) at Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. and Steve Schoultz, director contract manufacturing at Sara Lee Corporation on the panel.

“Getting to evaluate all the new products firsthand was a lot of fun”, Lazar explains. “There really were a lot of interesting products making the judging process that much more difficult. However, in the end, Bethel Organics Inc. Real Organic Real Easy Seed Starting Kit seemed to stand out from the rest.”

Products were rated on a point system where the products with the highest ratings placed ranked in overall. The 2009 winners were: The Organic Smokehouse’s Elderflower Cured Gravadlax (Best Overall Organic Retail), Cloud Top Organic Functional Frozen Yogurt (Best Overall Organic Foodservice), SK Food International’s Crimson Red Corn (Best Overall Organic Ingredient) and Bethel Organics Inc. Real Organic Real Easy Seed Starting Kit (Best Overall Organic Non-Food). One New Organic Product Grand Award was given to Bethel Organics Inc. Real Organic Real Easy Seed Starting Kit with an overall score of 296 points out of a possible 300.

About The All Things Organic Conference & Trade Show

The All Things Organic Conference & Trade Show takes place alongside the Organic Trade Association’s Annual Meeting and Member Days, Expo Comida Latina and All Asia Food, and features a Health & Wellness Education Program, Health & Wellness Pavilion and Specialty Pavilion.

About Pizza Fusion

Founded in the best interest of the individual and the environment, Pizza Fusion combines a fresh, organic menu with an industry-leading environmental approach to restaurant service in chic dining destinations built to LEED certification standards. Pizza Fusion specializes in gourmet pizza, focaccia sandwiches, salads, and desserts, all in its purest form – untainted by artificial additives, such as pesticides, preservatives, antibiotics and hormones. With numerous franchises opening across the U.S., Pizza Fusion is well on its way to ‘saving the earth, one pizza at a time.’ For additional information, visit http://www.pizzafusion.com.

For editorial inquires, contact:

Eric Haley

Vice President of Communications

Pizza Fusion

2200 West Cypress Creek Rd., First Floor

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

Office: (954) 449-7244

Fax: (954) 449-4957

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Fancy A Big Brother Pizza? Grab The Celebrity Housemates Pizza Masterpiece at Dominos

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(PRWEB UK) 9 September 2011

Celebrity Big Brother fans can grab a slice of the action from the latest task by ordering the housemates pizza from Dominos, the pizza delivery expert.

The pizza making challenge, aired on Channel 5 last night, saw two teams of celebrity housemates attempt to create a pizza masterpiece while attached to bungee ropes and being squirted with tomato sauce.

The winning Celebrity Big Brother pizza is being sold by Dominos as part of its official eviction night partner deal currently running with the show. The pizza features a star studded combination of pepperoni, pineapple, green peppers and chicken breast strips on Dominos classic crust with vine-ripened tomato sauce and 100% mozzarella cheese.

Order the Dominos Big Brother pizza exclusively via Facebook for a limited period simply log onto https://www.facebook.com/DominosPizza?sk=app_256703434362897 and click through to have it automatically added to your basket.


ENDS -

Notes to Editors:

Dominos is official eviction night partner for Big Brother, in partnership with Coca-Cola. Throughout the series, Dominos will be offering a free 1.25 litre of Coke or Diet Coke on every eviction night with any purchase of a large Dominos Stuffed Crust pizza.

The Dominos Big Brother pizza is available until Friday 11th November 2011. Available in small, medium and large.

Dominos Pizza UK & IRL plc is the leading player in the fast-growing pizza delivery market and holds the exclusive master franchise to own, operate and franchise Dominos Pizza stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The first UK store opened in Luton in 1985 and the first Irish store opened in 1991. In April 2011, the Group acquired a majority stake in the exclusive master franchise to own, operate and franchise Dominos Pizza stores in Germany.

As at 26 June 2011, there were 688 stores in the UK, Republic of Ireland and Germany. Of these, 543 stores are in England, 47 are in Scotland, 28 are in Wales, 18 are in Northern Ireland, one is on the Isle of Man, one is a mobile unit, 48 are in the Republic of Ireland and two are in Germany.

Founded in 1960, Dominos Pizza is one of the worlds leading pizza delivery brands. Through its primarily franchised system, Dominos Pizza operates a global network of more than 9,350 Dominos Pizza stores in 70 international markets. Dominos Pizza has a singular focus the home delivery of pizza, freshly made to order with high quality ingredients.

Customers in the UK can order online at http://www.dominos.co.uk and customers in the Republic of Ireland can order online at http://www.dominos.ie. In addition, mobile customers can order by downloading Dominos free iPad, iPhone and Android apps.

For more information, please contact:

The Dominos Pizza Press Office

Dominos Pizza Group Ltd

Tel: 01908 580654

E: pr@dominos.co.uk

Ref: DPGL/CM/513





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Pizza Fusion Founders Begin Aggressive Brand Position Strategy

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Fort Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB) July 20, 2011

Pizza Fusion co-founders, Vaughan Lazar, CEO, and Randy Romano, President, have taken the reins in expanding the brand’s identity by launching and announcing its first of many new initiatives. Lazar has enlisted the expertise of one the nation’s top restaurant-branding and social firms, DigitalCoco, in order to develop a new digital brand position and increase their overall market presence. Romano has undertaken the task of global expansion, while both founders continue to assemble an all-star marketing and operations team.

The first of many digital marketing programs for the brand include Le Tour de Fusion, an interactive contest via the restaurant’s Facebook page. Le Tour de Fusion allows Facebook fans to enter to win a specialized road bike; this prize encompasses and promotes Pizza Fusion’s passion about energy awareness and the need for alternative transportation. Participants also have the opportunity to receive daily specials and coupons for free pizza. The contest name is an ode to the 21 days of the LeTour de France, one of the most grueling races in the world. Pizza Fusion hopes Le Tour de Fusion will catalyze conversation and awareness about alternative transportation and encourage consumers to become more active in their day-to-day lives. Pizza Fusion will also be promoting this alternative transportation-focused campaign via its official Twitter page and handle: @PizzaFusion.

“This is part of an overall digital strategy that involves bringing our Le Tour de Fusion project to the forefront of some really exciting things we are doing as a brand. Le Tour de Fusion is about a lifestyle of health, wellness and social responsibility; our goal is to use the Le Tour at different times of the year to promote the cause of alternative energy and transportation methods as well as health and wellness,” states Lazar. He continues, “We have partnered with what we think is the premier digital brand agency for restaurants in the United States. DigitalCoCo, led by industry innovator, Paul Barron, focuses on building a digital presence in social, web and interactive media. Pizza Fusion’s digital plan is just getting started! A variety of special programs and new brand elements are coming very soon.”

In reference to his role as CEO, Lazar states,”I have taken over the focus and vision of the company and we are doing some exciting things. We thank Mark Beagelman for his efforts and direction over the past few years and know he has a very bright future with his new endeavors. Big surprises are on the horizon.”

Vaughan Lazar went on to explain that the launch of Le Tour de Fusion and corresponding Twitter campaign are just the beginning of the brand’s blossoming future. “We have already increased our Facebook fan base by more than 20% in less than two weeks,” said Lazar. “These are exciting times and we are fortunate enough to have a great team and franchise support in order to make our re-focus on the brand a huge success.”

Pizza Fusion hopes to bring its socially and environmentally conscious business model to countries around the globe. Pizza Fusion has recently signed deals in the Middle East and South America, all while continuing a rapidly developing presence in the United States.

About Pizza Fusion

Pizza Fusion was co-founded by Vaughan Lazar in 2006 in order to provide on-the-go, health conscious consumers with fresh, organic and earth-friendly eating options. Pizza Fusion’s commitment to make delicious items through social and environmental awareness is not only found in their carefully crafted menu, but also extends into every aspect and detail of the restaurant’s operations. Gordon and Lazar’s entrepreneurial spirit and pursuit of corporate responsibility has risen the bar for the fast casual dining experience: All Pizza Fusion locations are currently transitioning to energy efficient LED lighting, all deliveries are conducted in company-owned, hybrid vehicles, and all employees working over 20 hours a week receive health insurance. Pizza Fusion also utilizes biodegradable containers and utensils, sanitizes with eco-friendly products and provides employees with 100% organic cotton apparel.

Whether it be building their counter tops from recycled detergent bottles or staying in accordance with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s standards, Pizza Fusion aims to infuse integrity into their ingredients, their service and their locations. This dedication to global connectivity, green resources and quality products enhances the consumer experience, while also investing into the preservation and sustainability of our delicate planet.

For more information about Pizza Fusion and its green initiatives, please visit http://www.pizzafusion.com.

About DigitalCoCo

DigitalCoco is the brainchild of fast causal industry leader, web entrepreneur and publisher, Paul Barron. Barron developed the agency after taking note of the restaurant industry’s shift to a primarily online presence. The agency encompasses Barron’s idea of “Brand Artistry” – brand development that utilizes in-depth research, fresh creativity and unbeatable technology to create the ultimate brand experience. The company aims to captivate and engage their client’s desired audience and influence target consumers into action. DigitalCoCo prides itself on its precise analytics and dedicated team, factors that have made them one of the industries leading brand developers and information resources.

For more information about DigitalCoco, please visit http://www.digitalcoco.com.

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Perfect Pizza Rescued by Entrepreneur

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(PRWEB UK) 12 August 2011

Successful London-based entrepreneur Jatinder Wasu has rescued Perfect Pizza, the fourth-largest pizza delivery franchise in the UK, after it ran into surprise financial difficulties in mid-July.

Perfect Pizza is unique in being the only one of the top four to have British roots – the other three originate from America. Over recent years Perfect Pizza has lost some direction and the takeover heralds a revival and much-needed new management.

Perfect Pizza is the only major chain with franchises still available in so many big towns and cities, said Wasu. We have territories and opportunities that none of the other major players can offer. We are looking for new store-owners and franchisees throughout the country.

The products and distribution are all there. Consumers love our food. We have plenty of capacity for expansion and we are looking forward to serving Perfect Pizza to thousands more. The new store openings will also create employment opportunities which will be welcome news in the current economic climate.

Based at Gailey Park, Staffordshire, Perfect Pizza employs 34 staff directly and well over a thousand more indirectly through its franchised stores. As well as saving jobs, the rescue comes at an ideal time for the brand. Whilst recession-hit consumers are going out less, demand for freshly-made pizza is still rising as most people clearly prefer it over the chilled and frozen offerings from shops and supermarkets.

A chartered accountant, Jat Wasu has various business interests including an attractive property portfolio and a leading care home. He has been looking for new challenges and retained City-based corporate finance advisers Eximus Capital to seek out opportunities.

The purchase price is not disclosed, but Wasu seems to have an eye for turnaround opportunities. We had external backing for Jat, but this was never needed said Eximus Capitals MD William Brooks. The door is open for more capital to come in later, but only once the chain has started to grow again.

As Brooks puts it: Jat Wasu has taken control of Perfect Pizza and he has done so decisively. He has no outside backers to answer to and he knows what to do next. This looks to be a turning point for the Perfect Pizza business.

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