What a show!  I spent all three days and all of the exhibit hours on the floor and still didn't have enough time to delve into each exhibit the way I would have liked.  As I walked past every booth I asked myself, "How can this exhibitor help a pizza operator sell more pizza."  Some of the answers to that question are listed below.  If you missed the show, don't worry, let's take a look at what you would have been most impressed with had you gone.

Franke

The hottest thing this year in pizza had to be keeping pizza hot.  There were various systems for keeping pizzas warm after coming out of the oven.  It may be that this will be the new standard for pizza delivery as there were many companies that introduced portable warming systems.  There were hot bags that plugged into cigarette lighters, hot bags that came with removable heat plates warmed in the store oven, systems that are electrically heated in the store and then retain heat for long periods of time.  One system of particular interest was the Therma-Pak sold by Franke.  It keeps pizza fresh for up to 2 hours.  Call 1-888-777-1606 for more information.

Thermal-Legs

And to keep your pizza warm even after the pizza is delivered John Correll has invented a very simple way to prevent 33% of a pizza natural heat loss.  It's Thermal-Legs.  The distinctive looking Thermal-Legs keep a bit of space between the surface of the customer table.  This prevents the heat from transferring directly into the table and out of the pizza keeping it hotter longer.  It may seem like no big deal.  But a slightly hotter pizza is a slightly better pizza.  And if your competition is delivering slightly hotter pizzas than you are . . . John Correll 734-455-5830.

CIC Applicant Background Checks

According to Joe Langford of CIC, the key to keeping and retaining good employees is by making sure that you hire good employees in the first place.  Companies that use his services report having only half the employee dropout rate.  You call CIC directly and are charged only for the services you use.  Joe Langford 800-321-HIRE.

ezpizza.com

They put your menu on the internet so you can get orders tomorrow.  Go to ezpizza.com to see their work.  If you want to receive orders from your menu off the internet, that's what they do.  The show special of $199 has been extended to PMQ readers through July 1.  Individual web site with your name is included.  Call 805-981-1214

Crane Production Inc.

Great selection of mailable magnet based promotions.  Great looking pieces.  Plenty of ideas already under belt.  Ask for samples.  Quality work.  Call Mike Frank at 800-255-0234.

American Shores

They specialize in handling turn-key fund-raising promotions that make your store the star of the show and recipient of the goodwill associated with the cause.  All you have to do is agree to offer a "Buy One Large Pizza Get A Medium Size Pizza Free" coupon.  Talk with Marianne Bright.  800-927-4749.

Fidelity Communications Corporation

Imagine how much more business you would be doing if your best employee always answered the phone and you never had to put anyone on hold.  The next best thing is the automated call sequencer.  It puts customers on hold and entertains them while they are waiting to have their order taken.  The research is in.  Because they are listening to messages about your menu . . . per ticket order increases by 5%.  Hangups are down dramatically.  In one Domino's test overall sales were up 5% over the stores that didn't use them.  Cost $995.  Rick Stanbridge 248-380-5000 ext. 224.

Sugar Foods Corporation

This is the company that makes Sweet'n Low and the little packets of parmesan cheese and crushed peppers that customers are always wanting.  They told me older people especially want and need a stronger taste in pizza as their taste buds lose some of their perceptive powers.  And as the average baby boomer pizza customer continues to age on us, maybe you should always have some of those little packets of crushed peppers available for your customers.  Call Chris Travisano at 800-768-7900.

Signs and Shapes Walk Around Air Inflated Costumes

This company has designed hundreds of larger than life characters that can be worn by a pizza store employee to create store awareness.  Best story on how to use a character to capture customers was The Mongolian.  The Mongolian is a character that hangs out in front of Wringley Field in Chicago and mixes with the crowd.  When he returns to the restaurant he brings with him a large swarm of followers that buy lots of food.  Their catalog has lots of pictures of work they have preciously done.  Call Bryan Schneider at 402-331-3181.

J and J Snack Foods

Every time I go to Pizza Expo, I notice people enjoying free Italian Ice (this includes me).  I talked to the Frozen Desert Manager for J and J Snack Foods and it turns out that Italian Ice does go well with pizza.  Several chains offer it as a dessert menu option.  They retail for about a dollar and they offer some promotional material to go along with an order.  "Buy a slice-get an ice".  Tiramisu is Italian.  Howard Mills 310-376-3003.

Taste-It

"Taste It" is a manufacturer of high quality specialty foods and has been a force behind the increased popularity of tiramisu.  Their tiramisu was perfect.  This could be a natural trend in the industry.  Austria's largest pizza chain already has tiramisu as a standard menu item.  And why not?  Tiramisu is Italian.  John Aliar 908-241-9191.

Characters Unlimited

Life-like, like-size, still animated and talking people.  Animals.  Birds.  Monsters and Dinosaurs.  Imagine in your lobby a character that is wired up to an employee who can be "behind the curtain".  The character appears to talk and listen to children and amused adults.  It will definitely create "word of mouth" advertising at grand openings or sales events.  Ask Olaf Stanton about some of his ideas on working the crowd.  702-294-0563.

Traina Dried Fruit Company

Tired of boring vegie pizzas that taste like everyone else's?  Want a really distinctive vegetarian pizza?  Want a consistent taste?  They supply Wolfgang Puck and other gourmet pizza stores.  Pizza Hut recently tested a specialty pizza using their products with great success.  Call Willie Traina to get set up with recipes and supplies.  209-892-5472.

Mail Master

With all of the POS systems and direct mailing programs going on, Mail Master has a label machine that may be practical for a multi-store marketing department.  Jason Zakrzewski at 888-353-9464.

California Egg Commission

How about a breakfast pizza?  The one I tasted was at least as good as an Egg McMuffin.  Domino's Pizza tried it in 1984 in Columbus Ohio with some success.  Could it work now in 1998?  That's what the California Egg Board thinks.  If you'd like recipes for a breakfast pizza in your market call Helen Bauch at 760-731-9911.

Impact USA

Great creative.  Their stuff is going to increase the response rates of your next mailing.  They have invested in creative design people that know quality.  And not just the slick kind of quality, the kind of quality that wins customers by reaching their hearts and minds.  They have a great supply of specialty messages perfect for a packet please.  Call Adam Mrowka or Marla Topliff at 312-491-0701.

Continental Plastic Card Company

They have two good things going for them.  They are a great magnet source.  And they have a phone card promotion that I would like to see someone try in our industry.  It's worked everywhere else.  Call Gordon Kramer at 800-543-0670.

Sureshot Redemption

If you've been to a Chuck-E-Cheese and seen how their redemption program works these are the people that do theirs and could do yours.  They will customize a program for your pizza store using your existing entertainment devices.  They will teach you all of the ABC's of redemption.  Rorie Keller is the national sales manager.  408-93SURE8.

Magic Ice-Hawaiian Shave Ice

Imagine selling water and air for $2.  Al Weist has developed a special formula of flavoring that does not flow to the bottom of the ice.  It stays on the ice and you use less and the product tastes better.  Cost of a $2 serving of Hawaiian Ice is 8 cents, including the cup and spoon.  But there is a proven application for Pizza stores that make this interesting.  There is a store in California that offers shave ice with the purchase of a large family pizza.  The family arrives orders the pizza and eats the ice while waiting, making the wait as enjoyable as the meal.  Ask Al about this success story.  209-464-8832.

Great American Stock

Can you guess how Holly Hitzemann can turn out high quality custom photography for Wendy's, McDonalds, Pepsi, Coke and your pizza store affordably?  Secret revealed: You freeze and overnight your pizza to her.  From there her food stylists and photographers take over.  You will be charged $500 for each shot that you accept?  It's even cheaper if you want to lease your pictures.  Holly Hitzemann 800-624-5834.

Survey Express

If you want to hear how well your business is doing(?), talk to your management.  If you want to know the truth - let your customers tell you what they think, when they want to sound off.  That's the idea behind Survey Express and of the 300 stores that have been using the service - not one has cancelled.  Priced affordably.  This one's a no-brainer.  Call John Potenza at 1-888-755-4307.

Sign King

Did you see their new neon car top signs?  Very cool.  Paul Berg  888-819-SIGN.