STRAW HAT PIZZA TAPS STREGE FOR NORTHERN DIRECTOR

By: Straw Hat Pizza | 5 Shares 135 Reads

San Ramon, California, June 18, 2004 – The Straw Hat Pizza Cooperative announced today that Allen Strege is returning to Straw Hat Pizza as the Company's Northern Area Director.

An industry veteran skilled in restaurant development, Strege oversaw several Straw Hat locations during the Company's rapid growth of the 1970's and operated eight Chuck E. Cheese locations in that company's early days. Strege was also part of the concept development team for Max Sportster Restaurants and developed a successful resort-dining concept in California.

Currently adding roughly six locations per year, Straw Hat brings on Strege to further assist its expansion efforts and oversee some twenty-five Member operated locations, plus head up its purchasing programs. "We're very pleased that Allen has re-joined the Straw Hat family," said Josh Richman, President and CEO, "I think he is a big asset for our organization and is ideal fit for our own growth plan."

Straw Hat Pizza has recently re-energized its 44-year-old concept by introducing a new design and décor package, expanded menu offerings, improved service and training formats, and an advanced marketing program. The company has also implemented a new development plan, hoping to attract young entrepreneurs with its unique business opportunity and cooperative advantages.

Strege recognizes the progress that the company has made and sees the benefits and appeal of its cooperative structure. "I'm delighted to be back at home here at Straw Hat." said Strege, "there has been an enormous amount of changes since I've been gone - but I think the most exciting years for Straw Hat are ahead of us. Straw Hat Pizza is a very attractive concept for growth."

[SHCC licenses nearly 50 Straw Hat Pizza locations in California & Nevada. The "Cooperative" is solely directed by its membership and has been called "the un-franchise, franchise." It provides the benefits of a franchise system, however, its individual owners enjoy greater control, and corporate overhead is kept to a minimum, (about 1/3rd of the average franchise fee.) For more information contact Joshua Richman at the Cooperative headquarters.]

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