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Now’s the time to make a New Year’s resolution you’ve gotta keep: to become more competitive in 2017. According to PMQ’s Pizza Power Report, independent pizzerias comprise 55% of the pizza industry but only account for 42.5% of the sales. The large chains keep dominating not because they make better pizzas, but because they’re staying on top of consumer trends, including a rising demand for ease of ordering—the easier, the better—and clean and organic ingredients. Independents have little choice but to use the same tactics, which is why we’re offering these six tips for crushing your pizza sales in 2017.

Find out how to move ahead of the competition at PMQ.com.

7 Tips for Suggestive Selling

Suggestive selling starts with server training. According to Linda Duke of Duke Marketing, the upsell should feel natural and flow from the server’s personality. Guests want to order from people who show genuine excitement about the food—that excitement can be contagious. Avoid robotic sales pitches—teach your staff to work the upsell organically into their conversations with your guests.

Get all 7 tips for suggestive selling at PMQ.com.

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Insulate Hot Pizzas From The Cold (Sponsored)

Old Man Winter may not be a fan of your hot pizza, but your customers will be when it’s in a bag from Delivery Bag Depot. With 2016 coming to a close, you can take advantage of the great end-of-the-year discounts Delivery Bag Depot is offering, but you have to act fast before the deals are gone. Click below to see models, and contact them for sale pricing and discounts before December 31!

Check out the end-of-the-year discounts here!

Mexico Meets Italy in Pop-Up Mash-Up

La Morra Pizzeria collaborated on a “Mexican-Italian Mash-Up” to raise money for a Charleston, South Carolina, nonprofit that helps underprivileged children learn to code. The mobile pizza shop partnered with Mexican restaurant Pancito & Lefty for a pop-up event at Kudu Coffee & Craft Beer last week, all for the benefit of Charleston Women in Tech. A portion of the proceeds from the “Battle Royale” went to support the group’s CodeOn coding classes for kids who aren’t being taught the marketable skill in their local schools.

Read all about Old World meets New World at pmq.com!