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Italian fast-casual pioneer Fazoli’s struggled in the dark years following the 9-11 terrorist attacks. Even after new CEO Carl Howard overhauled the menu with better food and new items, customers still gave lukewarm reviews. But more recently, the company has logged 15 straight quarters of same-store sales growth. What sparked the turnaround? Turns out Fazoli’s fate hinged on plates. According to Nation’s Restaurant News, replacing plastic dinnerware with real china helped improve Fazoli’s presentation and boosted customers’ perception of food quality.

Find out more about how real plates rate with Fazoli customers.

Should You Go Clean in ‘17?

Looking to re-energize your brand and appeal to more health-conscious customers? The big chains have refreshed their menus with “clean”—i.e., non-artificial—and organic ingredients, and smaller operators are following suit. Making these changes can be expensive, but a focus on better ingredients keeps your pizza menu on-trend and relevant with millennials and other demographics.

Read about the challenges Woodstock’s Pizza faced when it made a “clean start.”

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Think Outside the Box with Nutella (Sponsored)

Did you know that 15.8% more operators are offering Nutella dessert pizzas today vs. Q3 2015? Nutella menu mentions on dessert pizzas have grown 20% since last year.

For exciting pizza recipe ideas and to learn more about Nutella, click here.

UK Pizzeria Cashes in on Chef’s Strange Confession

When British chef Mary Berry admitted she has never ordered carryout or delivery pizza, the fans of her BBC show, Mary Berry Everyday, were stunned. But UK chain Mayfair Pizza Company reacted quickly, partnering with the Just Eat app to build a merry promo around Mary’s name. The first 50 customers named Mary paid just one penny for their pizzas when they ordered through the Just Eat app. The clever gimmick earned coverage in the Sun, the Daily Mail and Time Out London, to name a few media outlets.

The Biggest Name in Food & Beverage

Attend Nightclub & Bar Show, the nation’s most influential gathering of bar & nightlife professionals, March 27-29 at the Las Vegas Convention Center!
Take $10 off any pass with code, PIZZA10. Register at ncbshow.com.

The Official 2016 NCB Show Aftermovie Release from Nightclub & Bar Show on Vimeo