Newport Beach, CA, January 7, 2010 — zpizza, the fast casual pizza chain, was recently named to the AllBusiness 2010 “AllStar Franchise” list, a comprehensive listing of the nation’s top 300 franchise companies. The popular pizza chain was also ranked #302 in Entrepreneur Magazine’s prestigious 2010 Franchise 500 List. Zpizza is a leader in the “better pizza” segment.
Dun & Bradstreet’s AllBusiness AllStars rankings listed the top 300 best franchises in the country. The rankings assessed the strengths of franchising companies based upon criteria including system growth, system size, longevity, web presence, and financial strength. The AllBusinesss editorial team analyzed more than 800 franchise systems to compile the “AllStar Franchises” list. The ranking lets would-be franchisees sort and surface information that’s the most important to them such as financial strength and company growth. It is also the only list that draws upon the in-depth financial analysis of our parent company, D&B (Dun and Bradstreet). Zpizza ranked #162 overall on the list, and scored especially high in growth (#52).
The AllBusiness editorial team had this to say; “At a time when most food-service franchises are floundering, zpizza is growing, earning it a spot on our AllStar list for the first time. The company ranked #52 in growth, and also ranked respectably in financial strength (#182). It has a healthy Web presence as well (#129). zpizza has found its niche in a crowded market by offering organic sauces, fresh produce, soy cheese, and additive-free toppings. The company outsources its franchise development strategy to Fransmart, and also outsources a catering call center which has helped make catering a big part of its business. zpizza franchisees have taken advantage of the depressed real estate market to renegotiate good deals on locations.”
The Southern California based gourmet pizza chain also moved up Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2010 Franchise 500 List for the fourth year, ranking #302.
“It’s an honor to be ranked on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 List for our fourth year,” says Chris Bright zpizza President. “We moved up fifteen spots on the list this year, making 2010 our highest ranking to date. zpizza had a tremendous amount of growth in 2009 and I expect as much and more success in 2010.”
The prestigious Franchise 500 list ranks chains factors including financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of the system. They also consider the number of years a company has been in business and the length of time it’s been franchising, startup costs, litigation, percentage of terminations, and whether the company provides financing. Financial data are analyzed by an independent CPA.
zpizza has 95 open stores across the USA, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and Mexico City, Mexico. The chain is continuing its impressive expansion with 400 additional locations in development.
zpizza was recently named Pizza Market Quarterly’s 2008 PIE Award winner, dubbing zpizza the Pizza Chain of the Year. zpizza also made Entrepreneur Magazine’s exclusive 2008 Franchise 500 list for the third time. zpizza has accrued customer choice awards such as AOL City Guide’s “Best Pizza” in Orange County, CA and Washingtonian Magazine’s “Best Pizza Restaurant” for four years running. PMQ placed zpizza in the top 50 of the 2008 Pizza Power Report, which lists the top pizza chains in America. In 2009, zpizza will reach the milestone of opening their 100th location.
About zpizza:
Zpizza opened their first location in 1986 in Laguna Beach, California. Featured on Good Morning America as a healthy dining option, zpizza takes a unique approach to the crowded pizza segment by appealing to traditional pizza lovers, health conscious consumers and gourmet palates alike. zpizza’s menu offers 22 tasty and adventurous pizzas as well as sandwiches, calzones, salads, pastas and the opportunity to create your own pizza with a selection of premium ingredients. Our dough is made from 100% certified organic wheat prepared fresh every day, hand thrown and fire baked until uniquely crisp. We combine select ingredients such as Wisconsin skim mozzarella, 100% certified organic tomato sauce, MSG free pepperoni, and additive free sausage. Even our fresh produce sets us apart. Exotic delights like Cremini and Shitaki mushrooms, roasted eggplant, pili pili and truffle oil, pine nuts, Greek olives, roasted bell peppers and caramelized onions assure you’ll never experience a bland, boring, blasé pizza. The same holds true for our gourmet salads and sandwiches. Zpizza is a fast casual concept, with units ranging from 1,100 – 1,500 sq. ft. and seating 30 patrons.
For information on franchising with zpizza please visit www.zpizza.com or contact
Kristin Martonik at kristinm@fransmart.com
