Strategy #75
WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT!

      The only thing better than a great idea, is a great idea that really works. And, The Pizza Wedge really works!

     You and your customers can eliminate sloppy pizzas forever with this little wedge of foam. By placing The Pizza Wedge under the pizza, on a car seat, you will stop the sauce, cheese and toppings from sliding to one side of the pizza.

     Steve and Laura Giannone invented and patented this pizza slice-shaped piece of foam because they knew this was a common problem that many people faced. They also knew it would be a great promotional product.

     "We had a problem with a pizza sliding all over the place," Giannone said. "Usually we would place a shoe, an umbrella, a purse, or a wallet under the pizza to just level off the pizza so the cheese and toppings wouldn't be sliding."

     The Pizza Wedge is going to be for any customer picking up a pizza or driver delivering pizzas who wants to make sure the pizza toppings won't slide."

     The Pizza Wedge can have the pizza store's name, address and telephone number printed on it. Giannone said he had discussed printing a re-useable coupon on The Pizza Wedge with a couple of pizza storeowners.

     "You could print $1.00 off next pizza on The Pizza Wedge and use it as a coupon for carryout pizzas," Giannone said.

     The Pizza Wedge could be given to carryout customers as a premium gift. Giving a Pizza Wedge to the customer will let them know you care about the quality of your product and everyone likes to get something for FREE! One additional advantage of the pizza wedge is that it keeps the pizza from losing its heat through direct contact with a cold car seat.

     If you would like more information about The Pizza Wedge, or if you would like a free sample, contact Steve Giannone at (908) 213-1276.

Strategy #76
There's Money Where This Cookie Crumbles

     Detti is an Italian which means "phrase" or "saying". For example, Ai vecchi gatti piaciono topi giovan (Children are life's reward). Detti can also translate to happy customers and new profits to your restaurant. The Detti I'm speaking of is Detti The Smart cookie.

     The "Detti" is a delicious amaretto flavored cookie that contains a hidden phrase and is likely to do for Italian restaurants what the fortune cookie has done for Chinese restaurants.

     Similar to the fortune cookie strip, there's a saying... in Italian and on the reverse is the English translation. It's a really fun way to give your customers a thank you treat while at the same time giving them a lesson in Italian. Customers really love it.

     According to Jeff Dole who owns Detti The Smart Cookie, "It won't be long before your customers start using the newly learned phrases when ordering their favorite dish. Some stores even give free drink refills or discounts if you use the Detti phrase-of-the-day."

     Dole also explained that you can customize the hidden message and use it as a coupon or prize.

     "I've got restaurants that make every 3rd to 5th cookie a prize cookie," Dole said. "The results in sales increases are tremendous."

     Imagine using the Detti Smart Cookie as an out-of-store promotional tool. Offer the cookies as a fund raiser premium to local charities or offer them to high school cheer leaders as a prize to be thrown into the stands...with each cookie containing a coupon offer.

     With this little Smart cookie you can really let your marketing imagination go wild. If you'd like to find out more about the Detti Smart Cookie I suggest you give Jeff Dole a call at 214-939-2401 - he's one Smart Cookie!

     And remember....Sorridi, hai amici e la sai (Perseverance wins the race).

Strategy #77
Sell More Pizza?...Leave It To Your Walls

     What's your greatest in-store marketing tool? Of course...in-store signage. So how are you utilizing your menu boards, counter and wall space? Are your menu boards organized well? Do they feature nice product photos? Are your counter and wall space promoting product and selling an image of good food and fun? I hope you answered yes. If the answer is "No" or "I'm not sure" it's time to make some changes.

     According to John Bowman, President of Bowman's Back-lit Display Systems, "the key to in-store product marketing is to have a menu board and signage that sells the image. And the image is fun, food and value." And remember a picture is worth a 1000 words. Most people don't like to read text - but they will react to photos. Especially if they can relate to the photo.

     For example, during baseball season a photograph of little leage players pulling apart a topping packed pizza projects the message...bring the team to our place after the game. Or, a photo of a happy family sitting at the table with a extra large pizza with the works. "It's what we call lifestyle selling," Bowman said.

     Bowman's Back-lit Display Systems is a great example of a company that can take you from concept to finished product. The Bowman's system works off modular interlocking back-lit displays.

     For you this means you can constantly add to the panels or change them around completely. And by changing the displays around frequently you give your customers something new to focus on.

     Although this might sound expensive, the truth is it can be really cost effective by taking advantage of stock photos combined with some custom photography.

     And with the modular format you can continuely add to your signage. Beautiful signage also gives your restuarant a successful image - now your in-store image is competing with the big pizza chains.

     To find out more about the Bowman's Back-Lit Display System you can give them a call at 1-800-922-9250 or log-on at www.bowphoto.com

Strategy #78
Direct Mail Delivered In A Zip

     We all know how important direct mail is when it comes to marketing your restuarant. Direct mail is timely, targeted and easy to evaluate. Direct mail allows you to send the right message to the right audience at exactly the right time -birthday greetings, new product introductions, coupon offers and simple reminders to come pay you a visit.

     The down side to direct mail has always been the number of steps it takes to get the mailing into the hands of your target - (1) planning (2) develop the promotional theme (3) develop the message (4) find an artist (5) find a printer (6) obtain a mailing list (7) fill-out the mailing documents (8) deliver the mailer to the post office - it can be a little overwhelming to say the least.

     Well, now there's a quicker more direct route to getting mailers to your customers and it can all be done over the internet.

     ZipM National Systems has developed a really break thru system which allows you to produce a mailing campaign in three simple steps - Choose A Theme, Insert Your Message and Select a list - Once these three steps are completed your mailer is on it's way. The system is really slick.

     All mailers are categorized by themes. Each theme has a variety of artwork and templates for your message. ZipM will even provide you with a targeted mailing list or you can download your own mailing list.

     The entire process can be done in minutes and allows you the lowest postal rates available The result is that you can now plan and execute a timely, targeted mailing campaign with minimal effort and minimum expense.

     If you're stressed out by the traditional direct mail process you might take a quick peek at the ZipM system - you can log on to their web-site at zipm.com. There you'll be given a step by step tour of the entire process.

Strategy #79
That's A Keepa

     Here is a promotional item that adds function to increasing your name and logo recognition.

     The Pizza Keepa, complete with your store's name and logo, is a great item to give your customers so they can take their left over pizza home without having to deal with a cumbersome pizza box.

     The Pizza Keepa could also be a great item to send to those on your "New Customer" list. What better way to get these customers to come back to visit your store than sending them a reusable food container with your information right on the top.

     In-store promotions of the Pizza Keepa could be displayed with a value of $3.49. Give your customers one FREE with the purchase of a large pizza and your customers will feel you have given them something of recognized value.

     "It will only cost you $1.50 to give it away, but the customer will see it as a $3.49 item that is given to them," David Pearlman, Pizza Keepa distributor said. "They will be getting something for FREE and it will be something they can use over and over, with very little cost to you."

     The patented Pizza Keepa is refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher safe. With food, any food, stored in it, the customer will see your store's name, address and logo everytime the refrigerator door is opened.

     And, the bottom of the Pizza Keepa has raised edges to keep the pizza slice/s from touching the bottom. This will ensure better temperature control in the microwave and less chance of overheating the crust or the customer burning his/her fingers when they pick the pizza up to eat it.

     Moms will love these containers because now they will have the perfect item to "sack up" their children's lunch.

     If you would like more information about the Pizza Keepa, contact David Pearlman, 1-800-574-7748.