Remember the story from the Winter 2001 issue about Brooks Pizza of Alberta, Canada and their world record pizza? We told of how breaking a world record could create massive media attention and boost sales. Joe and Patty Keagle, owners of Paul Revere's Pizza in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa proves this … More
Business & Marketing
Bill York's idea forum – five more great marketing ideas
Strategy #104 Swinging and Springing Sidewalk Signs Stationary sidewalk signs are a great way to grab customers' attention, but ones with movement are sure to get more attention and pull more customers into your store. AutoSox USA (Cassel Promotions) has two new styles of signs that are guaranteed to increase … More
Business & Marketing
Risk vs. reward — putting a price tag on your business
Most restaurant owners at some point face either a decision to sell their business or to buy another operation and expand. Both decisions are difficult. It takes a courageous owner to recognize when the time is right to sell. On the other hand, it takes courage – and capital – … More
Business & Marketing
An EXTREME PIZZA concept
To have an Extremely successful restaurant you need Extremely good employees, products and ideas and an owner with an Extreme vision. This is exactly what Todd Parent, owner of the Extreme Pizza company in San Francisco, California, had in mind when he opened his first location in 1994. His concept … More
Pizzerias & Pizzaioli
Getting and paying attention to customers
When we profiled the father and four sons of Flyers Pizza in the Spring '99 issue of PMQ we hadn't realized that we were only scratching the surface of a goldmine of pizza business ideas. Between the five members of the Ulrey family, someone is always coming up with a … More
Business & Marketing
How do your sales compare?
Now that the official numbers are in for 2000 and we've completed our summer census of American Pizza Stores, its time for the fourth annual PMQ midyear pizza progress report. We've scoured over the last 18 months of pizza data looking for trends, opportunities and potholes. Thank you Technomic, NPD … More
Business & Marketing
Billboards let them know you're coming
The Big Texan's signs can be found every 50-100 miles on every major road leading into Amarillo, Texas. While driving to Las Vegas for the last Pizza Expo, I could not help but notice a particular restaurant's billboard that seemed to pop up every 50 miles or so. Perched on … More
Business & Marketing
Ohio restaurant show – big on pizza
The 36th Annual Mid-America Restaurant, Soft Serve and Pizza Show was held February 25th and 26th at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. This year especially was important to the pizza industry. Jeff Slutsky of StreetFighter fame and regular contributor to PMQ was the keynote speaker of the … More
Business & Marketing
Let customers charge pizza to their phone bill!
In the days before Internet ordering, POS systems that do everything for you, caller ID and sliced bread, there were only three ways to pay for pizza-cash, check or credit card. But, for those who are familiar with Consumer Data Solutions (CDS) and eTelcharge.com, there is a fourth option, which, … More
Business & Marketing
It finally happened – blown away by a web promo
Normally, Scott Anthony's Fox's Pizza Den in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, home of the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, does around $800 in sales on a typical Wednesday. He wanted to celebrate Fox's 30th anniversary on March 7, 2001, and boost sales with a low-cost promotion. His strategy was to use his web … More
Business & Marketing
Learn the ABC's of selling pizza to schools
Marketing pizza to schools can be a rewarding investment for pizza store owners looking for additional sources of revenue. There are several factors to consider if you want to penetrate the school segment. Additional labor costs and equipment are two factors along with the investment of your time in getting … More
Business & Marketing
Birthdays give customers and storeowners a reason to be happy
According to a survey taken by the National Restaurant Association (NRA), the number one special occasion for dining out is one's birthday. Fifty-five percent of those surveyed said they dined out on their birthday, 30 percent said they dined out on their spouse's birthday and 30 percent said they dined … More