RISE - Menu Monitor

Pizza Inn
Headquarters
3551 Plano Parkway, The Colony, Texas 75056 USA
Tel: (469)384-5000 Fax: (469)384-5058
www.pizzainn.com
Ownership: Public
Segment: Limited Service Pizza
System Characteristics 2006 2005 2004
U.S. Systemwide Sales ($000) 136,000 145,822 152,439
Company-owned ($000) 1,000 1,003 1,232
Franchised ($000) 135,000 144,819 151,207
U.S. Number of Units 296 313 342
Company-owned 3 5 2
Franchised 293 308 340
International Sales ($000) 15,000 14,120 13,641
International Units 76 73 70
Average Sales/Unit ($000) 450 461 438
Concept Positioning |
Pizza Inn is one of the largest limited-service pizza chains in the U.S. The publicly held chain operates 372 units worldwide,
only three of which are company-owned.
Most full-service restaurants are freestanding, located close to offices, shopping centers and residential areas. Typical units
occupy 3,000–5,000 sq. ft. and seat 130–185 customers. The interior decor is contemporary and family-friendly. The company
also has a 1,000-sq.-ft. delivery/carryout prototype—known as its "Delco" unit— that has limited or no seating but offers the
same menu as its traditional full-service units. Its third prototype is an "Express" design for nontraditional sites; Express units
occupy 200–400 sq. ft. and offer a limited menu skewed heavily to pizzas and beverages. These stores are usually located at
c-stores, airport terminals and college campuses. A self-serve buffet prototype has also been introduced. Slightly larger than
the Delco prototype (2, 400–2, 600-sq. ft., with seating for 60-70), the self-serve design features a carryout station as well as a
buffet and beverage station. Business is takeout-based.
Pizza Inn was founded in 1960 in Dallas by Joseph Spillman. The chain started franchising in 1963. It went public in 1979. It
was acquired in 1987 by Pantera's Corp., a regional pizza chain based in St. Louis, and later fell into bankruptcy. In 1990, the
current company emerged from bankruptcy as the franchisor of Pizza Inn restaurants. In addition, Pizza Inn operates its own
food purchasing and distribution division called Norco, which provides units with about 80% of their food products and
restaurant supplies. Pizza Inn is backed by investment firm Newcastle Capital Group, which owns 35% of the company. Pizza
Inn has identified Guatemala as a growth market for the chain. Most recently, the company has signed a development
agreement to launch 16 outlets in Guatemala through 2011.
Menu Positioning |
Pizza Inn is open for lunch and dinner and features a variety of pizzas, appetizers, salads, sandwiches, entrées and
beverages. Signature items are a wide selection of pizzas, including Original Thin, New York Pan, Italian Hand-Tossed and
Stuffed Crust pizza. Popular pizzas include Bacon Cheddar Ham, Bacon Cheeseburger, Taco Pizza, Chicken Fajita and
Pepperoni Max. Also offered are pepperoni wraps, spicy wings, hot and cold pastas and salads. Subs include Meatball,
Chicken Fajita, Ham & Cheese and Italian. Lunch and evening buffets are available in some units. Beer and wine are served in
some locations. Menu prices range from $1.79–$15.99. Checks average $16.
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