- 10 April, 2006 -

If the member of the World Pizza Champions are walking a little slower this week, perhaps it's due to the international bling hanging from their necks. The members won individual and team medals at the World Pizza Championship in Salsomaggiore, Italy. Never before has any team captured so many medals in one year. The World Pizza Champions, sponsored by Pizza Today and Pizza Expo, brought home an award in every category, including the coveted Gold Medal in the Team Acrobatic. Participants in the gold award-winning team acrobatics performance were: Tony Gemignani; Michael Shepherd; Siler Chapman; Joe Carlucci; Ken Bryant; Giorgio Giove; Justin Wadstein; Sean Brauser and LeeAnna Shepherd. The World Pizza Champions wowed the crowd with a Star Wars-themed acrobatic skit pitting Jedi against Sith, complete with Darth Vader and a StormTrooper. Last year, the team place second with a routine inspired by The Matrix trilogy. At the individual level, Giorgio Giove and Siler Chapman won the silver and bronze award in acrobatics respectively. Michael Shepherd brought home the bronze medal for largest dough stretch, while the bronze in fastest dough went to Bruno. DiFabio. John D'Ambriosio was named the best pizza in the US. The World Pizza Champions beat out eight other teams from Italy, Germany, Japan and another team from the USA, proving the future of pizza games lies with them. Catch the team's next performance at Pizza Today's Northeast Pizza Show, slated for September 13-14. For more information, visit www.pizzaexpo.com. Oggi's Pizza & Brewing Co. branches out with plastic bottled craft beer San Clemente, California-based Oggi's Pizza and Brewing Co. is expanding their product line with the launch of their award wining micro-brewed beer, California Gold, in individual plastic bottles. The 16-ounce plastic bottles of California Gold went on sale on Wednesday March 29, at San Diego-area Costco locations for a limited time only. The bottles will also initially be available at Petco Park in San Diego as well as various Southern California golf courses. Oggi's chose to limit the initial release of the product to test its buoyancy in the micro-brewed beer market as it is the first microbrew available in a plastic bottle. Oggi's brewery business was named the Best Small Brewing Company in the World 2004-2006 by the World Beer Cup and they decided it was time to take their brews to the masses -- but in an innovative new way. Of their seven house microbrews, they chose to begin bottling the California Gold recipe due to its extreme popularity. California Gold is described as a blonde or cream ale and blends sterling hops and Vienna malt for a rich flavorful body. The California Gold brand is an exemplary craft beer that has won numerous accolades in recent years including a Gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival, a significant honor in the micro-brewed beer industry. Oggi's has developed an innovative advertising campaign to support this launch, and it is based on the uniqueness of the beer itself and its plastic bottle packaging. The campaign centers on the unique and very active California lifestyle of the consumers who enjoy its crisp yet bold flavor and invites new customers to "make it (their) lifestyle." It highlights the beer's portability and its ease of use during outdoor activities such as golfing, spectating sports and relaxing by the beach or poolside. To date, the beer has been available in draft form at all fourteen of the company's restaurant locations, Petco Park, Qualcomm Stadium and select other brewpubs. This expansion into retail bottling marks the company's first endeavor into the traditional retail market. Oggi's Pizza and Brewing company plans to continue the expansion of this bottled beer in the retail marketplace over the next few years and add additional popular products to their bottled offerings. Oggi's Pizza & Brewing Company was profiled in Pizza Today's March 2006 issue. Papa John's Offers a 1040 just in time for Tax Day For all the "pro-crust-inators" -- pizza lovers who have waited until the last minute to file their taxes -- Papa John's is offering its first-ever "1040" special. During the stress-filled, "taxing" period from April 11 until April 17, Papa John's customers who order online at www.papajohns.com can get a large original crust cheese pizza for just $10.40, and add up to five toppings for free. To redeem this special offer, customers simply need to enter the "1040" promotional code when placing their online orders. "We're inviting customers to fill out their 1040 -- and then fill up on ours," said Jim Ensign, vice president of marketing communications for Papa John's. "Many consumers now file their taxes online. While at the computer poring over the documents needed for tax form completion, make a quick click over to papajohns.com and order a pizza while working. Consider it an online filing that provides an immediate return." The limited-time offer will be supported by a full-page ad in USA Today on Tuesday, April 11 - just six days before taxes must be filed with the IRS. Last month, Papa John's launched 24/7 online ordering, giving customers the opportunity to place their pizza orders any time day or night, up to 21 days in advance. The chain also recently added a "repeat last order" function to its online ordering system, allowing customers to enter their last order with just a few keystrokes. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John's is the world's third largest pizza company. SpeedLine announces opening of new customer call center Pizza point of sale provider SpeedLine announced the opening of a new customer service call center to meet the needs of the company's growing customer base. The spacious, 50-seat facility hosts a larger team of International Customer Service Association certified agents to help ensure timely service, even at peak calling times. A new, state-of-the-art phone system streamlines call management, allowing faster response times for incoming calls. The new center also includes a training facility, fully outfitted for computer-based and multimedia training for staff and customers. "Helping restaurant owners succeed by providing comprehensive software solutions and solid after-sale service has always been our aim," said SpeedLine president John de Wolde. "The new call center gives our team the tools to handle continuing growth without sacrificing service quality and efficiency." SpeedLine support is available by monthly or annual subscription, or per incident. Subscribers enjoy free phone support as well as regular software upgrades and training opportunities. Jacopo's Pizzeria of Beverly Hills now serving Passover Matzo Pizza Now there's no reason to deprive yourself and your family of delicious pizza during Passover. Jacopo's Pizzeria is now offering it's famous pizza on matzo (crispy unleavened bread) for its patrons observing the Jewish Holiday where eating leavened bread is prohibited. Starting immediately and during the Jewish Holiday of Passover, April 12th through April the 20th, Jacopo's is offering it's famous Zagat-rated pizza on Matzo or its award winning traditional crust. Operators say that during the last 36 years, many of its patrons could not visit the Beverly Hills-based pizzeria during Passover because they can't eat bread or pizza dough during the eight-day holiday period and they say the cravings drive them nuts. Jacopo's matzo pizza is available right now, tastes great as well as being a great low-carb alternative. Traditional tomato and cheese, Buffalo chicken, Fresh Mushroom and The Lily with fresh baby spinach and roasted garlic and shallots are available. The matzo pizza is available for dine in, take out and delivery. Founded in 1970, Jacopo's Pizzeria operates two locations Beverly Hills and Pacific Palisades, serving up award winning pizza, pasta, salads and more in a relaxed family atmosphere as well as offering delivery and catering. Marco's Pizza adds three stores in Akron/Canton area Marco's Pizza, founded in Ohio by Italian native Pasquale "Pat" Giammarco some 28 years ago in Toledo, has added three new stores in the Akron/Canton area. Jack Butorac, Jr., president of Marco's Franchising LLC, who has put Marco's on a growth plan to have 1,000 units by 2010, announced the openings. The new stores are located in: o Ellet, Ohio near Akron. Its manager is Doug Nelson. The unit is located in a new strip mall and will offer customers seven days a week operation with carryout, delivery and limited sit down service. The store will open in early April 2006. o Barberton, Ohio, located on the northwest side of Canton. The store is managed by Shelly Rigdon, a resident of Barberton, and is scheduled for opening at the end of April 2006. It will also be a seven day a week operation and will offer customers carryout and delivery service. It is located in the Magic City Plaza Strip Mall. The store is scheduled to open in early April 2006. o Masselion, Ohio, just west of Canton,. The seven-day a week operation will be managed by Vickie Rhodes of Massilion, and will offer customers carryout and delivery service. The store will open in April 2006. The expansion brings the total number of stores in the Canton/Akron area to seven with another planned for next year. There are currently 149 Marco's Pizza stores in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada and Arizona. According to Butorac, the new stores will employ about 75 persons and each will offer customers a menu of custommade Marco's pizzas, fresh baked subs, chicken wings, salads and soft drinks. General Mills awards $2,500 to Luigi's Italian Pastry in 'Free For All' Sweepstakes General Mills announced last month that Luigi's Italian Pastry in Bridgeport, Connecticut, was selected to receive a $2,500 first prize in General Mills' "Free for All" Sweepstakes. Luigi's Italian Pastry will be entered to win a $25,000 grand prize. Owner John DiMarco accepted the award presented by General Mills Bakeries and Foodservice during a special recognition event on March 8. "General Mills is a strong supporter of retail bakeries and is thrilled to award Luigi's Italian Pastry with one of four $2,500 first prizes," said Tommy Hillman, marketing manager, General Mills Bakeries & Foodservice. "This sweepstakes is about providing operators a prize that will make an impact on their business." Operators at retail bakeries who enter the "Free for All" Sweepstakes are eligible to win the grand prize of $25,000 plus a trip to the 2006 American Bakery Expo Trade Show, or one of four $2,500 first prizes. To post pizza-related news, e-mail Mandy Detwiler at mdetwiler@pizzatoday.com or fax to 502-736-9501. Have you visited our message boards lately? Find out the latest trends and concerns from owners and operators just like you! Register today! Log on to www.pizzatoday.com and click Bulletin Boards to get started.

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