CiCi's Pizza Franchise News

Pizza Buffet Leader Recognized for Expanding Veteran Franchise Ownership Opportunities
COPPELL, Texas, May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CiCi's Pizza, home of the custom pizza buffet, announced today it was ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises nationwide and named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise® by G.I. Jobs magazine. The company was recognized for its CiCi's Patriot Program, one of the industry's most extensive programs benefiting U.S. veterans. Through the CiCi's Patriot Program, CiCi's will waive its franchise fee for the first restaurant and offer a 50 percent royalty fee reduction for the first full year in operation for all qualified, honorably discharged U.S. veterans. This totals to an approximate savings of $58,000...

Cici's Pizza Introduces New Three-cheese Pizza "So Good it Makes Grown Men Cry"
COPPELL, Texas, May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CiCi's Pizza has introduced the newest pizza on its custom buffet, The Meltdown, made with Parmesan, Romano and mozzarella cheeses with signature Italiano sauce topped with an oregano seasoning blend on a thin, crisp Italiano crust.
The delicious new pizza is the third in CiCi's Italiano line, joining the Pepperoni & Sausage Italiano and the Veggie Italiano in the permanent CiCi's buffet rotation. It is being rolled out with a national advertising campaign featuring the tagline "So good it makes grown men cry."
"The Meltdown was well received by guests throughout our extensive research process, scoring high marks for its delicious crust, Italiano sauce and unique cheese combination," said CiCi's Pizza CEO Mike Shumsky...

Company allocates $5 million to assist new franchisees with access to financing.
COPPELL, Texas, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today CiCi's Pizza, home of the custom pizza buffet, announced its new investment and financing programs to help existing and prospective franchisees with funding options to further address the challenges of today's lending environment. The new programs are part of the CiCi's "Build the Brand" initiative to add 500 new restaurants by 2020.
Through its Franchisee Investment Program, CiCi's has allocated $5 million to provide select qualified multi-unit franchisees with the necessary funds to open a minimum of five restaurants. CiCi's will invest $100,000 per restaurant towards development and in doing so the company will become a non-voting minority shareholder...

Pizza Buffet Leader Unveils One of the Industry's Most Extensive Programs Benefitting U.S. Veterans
COPPELL, Texas, Feb. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CiCi's Pizza, home of the custom pizza buffet starting at $4.99, announced today the launch of the CiCi's Patriot Program to offer veterans a path to business ownership. Through the CiCi's Patriot Program, the company will waive its franchise fee for the first restaurant and offer a 50 percent royalty fee reduction for the first full year in operation for all qualified, honorably discharged U.S. veterans. This totals to an approximate savings of $58,000.
"We are very thankful to the brave soldiers who put their lives at risk and sacrificed so much to serve and protect our country," said Bill Spae, chief development officer at CiCi's Pizza...

Publicis Dallas-created multimedia campaign introduces "The Hog Fest" pizza.
COPPELL, Texas, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CiCi's Pizza debuts its new advertising campaign, titled "There's More Where That Came From," this week featuring TV, digital and in-store elements. The campaign's first spot will introduce the newest addition to the CiCi's Pizza buffet - The Hog Fest pizza, topped with crisp bacon, Italian sausage, sliced ham and pepperoni.
The campaign, which launched on Feb. 20 and is the company's first with its recently hired agency of record, Publicis Dallas, uses humor to bring the CiCi's pizza offerings to life and draw attention to the wide variety guests will find on the CiCi's custom buffet.
"CiCi's has a great quality and variety story to tell, and this campaign reflects what our brand is all about, beyond price," said CiCi's Pizza Chief Marketing Officer Nancy Hampton...

New products, increased franchise support, new advertising campaign to drive year's expansion.
COPPELL, Texas, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CiCi's Pizza, home of the custom pizza buffet, announced today its 2012 growth plans to support its continuing 10-year "Build the Brand" initiative to add 500 new restaurants by 2020. Progress in 2011 included 22 new restaurant openings representing a nearly 25 percent increase in new locations over the previous year, and multiple new partnerships to accelerate expansion.
"As we enter year three of our 'Build the Brand' strategy, we are gaining significant momentum with the new partnerships and tools we've put in place," said CiCi's Pizza CEO Mike Shumsky. "2012 is a pivotal year as we move from the planning stages to deployment of our 10-year program in new and existing markets...

"Ultimate Pizza Artist" takes home Crystal Pizza Cutter award, cash and prizes.
FRISCO, Texas, Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With lightning speed, Florinda Albarron of the Tomball, TexasCiCi's Pizza restaurant, stretched, sauced and baked a full buffet of perfect CiCi's pizzas to win the second annual CiCi's Pizza Throwdown finals, held in Frisco, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Ultimate Pizza Artist Albarron, a Houston resident, will receive an all-inclusive trip for four to Universal Studios in Orlando, $2,500 in cash and the coveted Crystal Pizza Cutter award. CiCi's also has emblazoned her name on a CiCi's distribution truck that will travel more than 100,000 miles in 2012 making product deliveries to CiCi's restaurants across the nation...

ONOSYS Web-based ordering service to help grow buffet restaurant’s carry-out business
COPPELL, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CiCi’s Pizza, home of the custom pizza buffet, announces it has partnered with ONOSYS to test online ordering in Orlando, Fla., Charlotte, N.C., Denver, Austin, Texas, Richmond, Va. and Las Vegas. Tests will begin in early 2012 in support of CiCi’s “Build the Brand” growth strategy.
“Our online ordering system is a logical next step in making the CiCi’s brand more accessible to on-the-go guests and building carry-out sales.”
“CiCi’s offers carry-out pizzas at an incredible value, and we see to go business as a real growth opportunity for our current and future franchisees,” said CiCi’s Vice President of Franchise Services Steve Hawter...

Partnership to fuel pizza chain's growth momentum
COPPELL, Texas, Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CiCi's Pizza, home of the custom pizza buffet, announces a new partnership with Birchwood Resultants, a strategic site modeling company, as part of its "Build the Brand" growth strategy to add another 500 restaurants in the next eight to 10 years.
Arlington, Texas-based Birchwood Resultants has already begun developing CiCi's new site model after conducting more than 22,000 guest surveys at 98 restaurants in 26 states, as well as site surveys to assess signage, co-tenants, site visibility and traffic patterns. The site model will also include competitive analysis and recessionary metrics. The model is in development now for full launch in January 2012...

Restaurant to introduce new design features
 November 03, 2011 // Franchising.com // MURPHY, Texas  - CiCi’s Pizza opens its first restaurant in Murphy on Monday, Nov. 7, not far from the chain’s first location, which opened 26 years ago in Plano. The restaurant showcases new design elements the Coppell-based company is exploring for future use at other CiCi’s locations as the company continues its “Build the Brand” growth strategy.
The 4,000 square-foot restaurant, located at 104 N. Murphy Rd., will support strong dine-in, carryout and catering business. New features include a larger pizza buffet, a dedicated and expanded carryout area, new menu boards and new uniforms. A brighter color palette brings a warmer, family-friendly feel to the dining room...

Partnership to continue pizza chain's growth momentum
COPPELL, TX, September 26, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- CiCi's Pizza, home of the endless pizza buffet, announces Publicis Dallas as its new agency of record as the company continues its "Build the Brand" growth strategy to add another 500 restaurants in 8-10 years.
Publicis Dallas will handle the $26 million account for CiCi's, which will include strategic branding, traditional and digital creative communication, and through Publicis Groupe, media planning and buying services. The new campaign will begin rolling out in 2012.
"Publicis demonstrated a clear understanding of the many facets of the CiCi's guest," said Nancy Hampton, CiCi's Pizza chief marketing officer. "We feel confident in the agency's expertise and fresh approach to delivering relevant, creative and compelling national and local advertising as well as in-restaurant communications...

Industry veterans join team to lead new product development and equipment upgrades.
COPPELL, TX, September 19, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- CiCi's Pizza, home of the endless pizza buffet, announces the next step in its ″Build the Brand″ growth strategy with the addition of two industry veterans who will drive the company's increased focus on profitable innovation. In 2010, the company began implementing a growth strategy designed to add another 500 restaurants over the next 10 years. Clif Geisler, who brings purchasing and supply chain expertise from Brinker International and Sonic, takes the post of CiCi's first-ever Director of Operational Systems. He will spearhead initiatives to improve kitchen efficiencies and increase dining space in an effort to lower franchise investment costs, reduce waste and increase ROI...

CiCi's Pizza Continues to Innovate with America's Favorite Flavors COPPELL, Texas, Aug. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CiCi's Pizza, home of the endless pizza buffet, announces the newest addition to its American Classics line -- the Philly Cheesesteak Pizza. CiCi's American Classics line showcases the unique flavor traditions of the USA and includes the recently introduced Cheeseburger pizza as well as longtime favorites like the Mac and Cheese, Buffalo Chicken and the Kansas City BBQ pizzas.

The Philly Cheesesteak Pizza, modeled after the true American original, is made on traditional hand-stretched crust with Philly Cheese Sauce, grilled sliced beef and topped with red onion and green bell peppers. Guests can get it now, along with CiCi's full buffet of more than 20 pizzas in rotation, soup, pasta, salad and dessert...

CiCi's Pizza reinvents American favorites. COPPELL, TX, July 19, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Put away the grill; there's a new way to enjoy the nation's favorite foods this summer - with CiCi's Pizza's American Classics Line. To launch the ongoing featured pizza category, CiCi's is rolling out its new Cheeseburger Pizza to all of its restaurants nationwide this month - the first of four signature pizzas.

The Cheeseburger Pizza will take a place of honor on CiCi's pizza buffet and features a tantalizing combination of ground beef, cheese, fresh chopped pickles and mustard, topped off with a drizzle of ketchup, all on a freshly-made crust. Popular American Classics favorites like the BBQ, Buffalo Chicken and the signature Macaroni and Cheese pizzas will also be featured in upcoming months...

Everyday value, endless variety is key to convenient family dining COPPELL, Texas, March 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A new national report from leading market research firm Mintel reveals 24 percent of restaurant-goers plan to spend less at restaurants in 2011 than they did in 2010, confirming Technomic projections of everyday value as a top 2011 restaurant trend. CiCi's Pizza, a pioneer in everyday value and endless variety with its $4.99 pizza buffet, launches its Endless Value Dinner campaign to remind consumers they can have a quality, sit-down restaurant meal of pizza, pasta, salad and dessert for less than $5.

"These studies show how important it is for restaurants to provide meaningful value - and that's about more than just price," said Nancy Hampton, CiCi's Pizza Chief Marketing Officer...

CiCi's signs new agreements with two multi-unit franchisees, adds new vice president of franchise sales to fuel growth. COPPELL, TX, February 28, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Coppell-based CiCi's Pizza, a rapidly-expanding 600-unit pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet chain, announced today it has signed agreements for the addition of 16 units over the next five years and hired Wingstop veteran Bruce Evans to lead franchise sales. The moves are part of CiCi's growth initiative, with the goal of adding 500 restaurants in the next eight to 10 years.

"Texas is a focus in our plan for strategic and sustainable growth," said Mike Shumsky, CiCi's Pizza CEO. "Texas has led the nation in job growth for the past decade, and we have strong brand loyalty and brand recognition here...

Leading pizza franchisor to offer BoeFly's Concierge Team Services to its franchisees nationwide New York, NY, February 24, 2011 --(PR.com)-- BoeFly, the premier online marketplace connecting lenders with business borrowers, announced today that CiCi's Pizza, an award-winning pizza franchise, has selected BoeFly to assist its franchisees in obtaining bank financing.

Nearly half (49.2%) of the respondents in a recent member survey by the International Franchise Association (IFA) identified "financing/access to credit" as the top issue of concern to franchise business leaders. In response to this concern, and bolstered by its success in helping many individual franchisees obtain financing, BoeFly created a portfolio of services for the franchisor market...

Industry veteran to secure agreements with multi-unit franchise partners, developers COPPELL, Texas, Dec. 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- CiCi's Pizza, home of the $4.99 endless pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet, announces today the addition of Deb Chappell as Director of Real Estate Services and Support.

A 25-year veteran, Chappell led expansion efforts for big names like Chili's Grill & Bar, Romano's Macaroni Grill and BJ's Restaurants. At CiCi's Pizza, Chappell is tasked with building on CiCi's diversity in franchising and continued growth. The Texas-based company plans to add 500 units in the next eight to 10 years and is actively recruiting franchise partners.

Chappell brings decades of experience in helping brands expand through market development and analysis and real-estate development...

Bragging rights, custom crystal pizza cutter up for grabs. COPPELL, TX, November 08, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- CiCi's Pizza top pizza makers will compete for the title of "Ultimate Pizza Artist" and the coveted crystal pizza cutter as CiCi's launches its first-ever Pizza Throwdown. In addition to a year's worth of bragging rights, CiCi's team members from across the nation will compete for a flat screen TV. Winners of the four regional contests will compete in the finals, hosted by CiCi's Pizza, in Dallas in January 2011.

"We know that we have some of the most attentive and talented pizza professionals in the business," CiCi's Pizza CEO Mike Shumsky said. "CiCi's Pizza Throwdown gives us an opportunity to recognize their incredible work in a fun environment that highlights their skills...

Buffet deals encourage kids and guests to express gratitude. COPPELL, TX /24-7PressRelease/ -- Every visit to CiCi's Pizza, home of the $4.99 endless pizza, pasta, salad and dessert buffet, ends with two words: Thank You. This November, CiCi's will provide our communities and guests an opportunity to show appreciation this Thanksgiving with "Thank Yous Count."

Starting Nov. 1 and continuing through the end of the month, each restaurant will stock "Thank Yous Count" trackers. The pocket-sized cards help parents note each time their child offers an unprompted "thank you." Once the card is full, parents can present the card for a free buffet for kids 10 and under with the purchase of an adult buffet.

Guests can also log on to CiCi's Pizza Facebook page, www...