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When the Going Gets Tough…
Being in the pizza business is no cakewalk. We’ve all found ourselves sitting in the back office going over invoices, looking at food and labor costs and staring at savings account balances at 2 a.m. wondering why we ever got in this business to start. It’s OK, because who hasn’t asked that question at some point? In this special edition of PMQ’s Pizza Magazine, in addition to the usual departments, columns and features on marketing and operations, we are featuring a few stories of some inspiring operators who have overcome some amazing obstacles that we think will remind us all of why we are in the pizza business. One story on Todd Duvio tells of how he survived Hurricane Katrina after losing not only his business, but his home as well (see page 52). Michael Amheiser lost not one, but two stores and still finds ways to make yearly trips to Africa to feed the hungry and fund an orphanage (see page 54). Robert Doughty, pictured on the cover, lost both legs in Iraq and now runs a Little Caesar’s franchise in Kentucky and still finds time to help launch Little Caesar’s Veterans Program (see page 46). The next time you find yourself asking the question “How long can I keep going?” we hope you will remember these stories and use them to stay inspired and determined.
Amazing Success in New York
This was PMQ’s third year hosting the New York Pizza Show, and the first year we joined forces with Reed Exhibitions in the Big Apple. When the show ended, all we could think was “Why didn’t we do this before?” That sentiment was echoed by attendees and exhibitors alike, according to their comments. The show was an amazing success. A private auditing company was still verifying the numbers at press time, but estimates put attendance in the 18,000 range with and estimated 600 exhibiting companies. Some exhibitors even said this was better for them than the National Restaurant Show. If you missed the NY show this year, there is still 2008, but if you can’t wait, PMQ’s Orlando Pizza Show is right around the corner. If you can’t make New York, join us in Orlando September 7-9, 2007. We guarantee you won’t regret it. And bring the kids for a trip to Disney to see Mickey. See page 32 for the post-show review.
Join Us for the Best Italy Trip Yet
Naples; the birthplace of pizza and the next stop for the U.S. Pizza Team. This year, the USPT is taking the best Italian tour yet and you can join us. Not only can you compete at the 6th Annual International Pizza Championships of Naples, you can attend some tour opportunities you won’t be able to get anywhere but on this trip, such as exclusive tours of the Caputo flour factory, makers of the famous “00” pizza flour, tours of mozzarella factories, Pompeii, Rome and a few of the oldest and most famous pizzerias in the world. If you have always dreamed of a tour of Italy, then PMQ’s/USPT 2007 Tour of Italy is your chance for the trip of a lifetime. We want to thank all of the 2007 USPT sponsors who make the USPT possible. See the sponsors and get more information about the 2007 Tour of Italy on page 60.
PMQ’s $1,000 Marketing Genius Contest? Vote Now!!!
Who will be PMQ’s next Pizza Marketing Idol? The decision is now in your hands. Please go to www.pmq.com and click the “Pizza Contest” Icon. This is were you will view and vote for your favorite examples of outstanding pizza advertising. Help select the newest Pizza Marketing Idol while learning how to sell more pizza in your own store. Thank you Fidelity Communications and California Milk Advisory Board for donating $2,000 in prize money to encourage our readers to create and share superior ways of selling more pizza.