Pizza Vending Machines, Italy vs. US

Last year an Italian named Claudio Torghele announced his "Let's Pizza" vending machine that makes pizza from scratch in less than 3 minutes.  That's some pretty fast food.  The machines have been deployed in Europe and each pie runs about $6.  Claudio device allows you to watch the entire process through glass:  mixing and kneading the dough (yes, it starts with dry flour), spinning the dough into a flat disc, adding the sauce and selected toppings (4 pizza choices), and finally the cooking.

More recently a US company announced their "La Pizza Presto" pizza vending machine.  This version slides a pre-prepared pizza out of box and under a heating lamp, then slides it back into the box and presents it to the vendee.

Here's a demo video of the Italian "Let's Pizza" (a video of the American version is below it)

The American, La Pizza Presto video:

1,000 Free Pizzas from Domino's Today in Houston

Domino's has announced that they will be giving away 1,000 pizzas to recovery workers and citizens displaced by Hurricane Ike in Houston.

Domino's will set up a mobile unit in front of the Galena Park Independent School District Admin building at the intersection of Beltway 8 and Woodforest Blvd in Houston.  This is where the pizzas will be given away from Noon to 5pm today (Sunday, September 21, 2008).

"Local Domino's Pizza franchise owners, store managers and other volunteer team members are gathering food and other supplies in order to provide a hot meal to citizens in one of the most hard-hit areas in Houston," said Scott McLeod, area vice president of franchise operations for Domino's Pizza. "The local area Coca-Cola bottler is also donating one six-pack of Coke products for every pizza given away," McLeod said.

"There are about 8-10 stores that are still shut down in the area, and we're working to reopen them, but in the meantime, we want to do our part to the help the community that has supported us for so many years," McLeod said. "We're working out the logistics, signing up volunteers and we'll be able to provide 1,000 pizzas to people who haven't had a hot meal in some time."

The Top 20 Pizza Chains

PMQ Pizza Magazine has published their list of the Top 200 Pizza Chains.

We'll just give you the Top 20 from that list (and the number of units/locations):

1. Pizza Hut: 14,759
2. Domino's Pizza: 8,641
3. Papa John's Pizza: 3,238
4. Little Caesars: 2,000
5. Noble Roman's Pizza: 1,400
6. Casey's Carry-Out Pizza: 1355
7. Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza: 1,073
8. Sbarro's Italian Eatery: 1,040
9. Godfather's Pizza: 656
10. Cici's Pizza: 631
11. Hungry Howie's Pizza: 575
12. Pizza Pro: 552
13. Chuck E. Cheese's: 537
14. Round Table Pizza: 505
15. Papa Gino's: 365
16. Pizza Inn: 335
17. Fox's Pizza Den: 315
18. California Pizza Kitchen: 239
19. Simple Simon's Pizza: 227
20. Uno Chicago Grill: 225

By the way, my favorite pizza place from my childhood comes in at #58 with 60 locations: Shakey's Pizza. I haven't been to one in many years, but I remember some good times and cool hats!

Little Caesars Voted Best Value

A new report has ranked Little Caesars as the best value in the quick service (fast food) industry.

The report is part of Sandelman & Associates Quick-Track research studies which tracks consumer behavior and attitudes for all major fast food chains. Surveys for the report were conducted among more than 84,000 quick service restaurant customers in 70 major markets across the US.

Little Caesars was also ranked highest among pizza chains for "Convenience of Locations" and "Speed of Service."

"Customers are telling us that Little Caesars Pizza is the best value in America," said Brian Pattison, vice president, midwest operations, Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. "This recognition...clearly validates our market position as the value leader."

Little Caesars built more stores in the U.S. in 2007 than any other pizza chain and today is the largest carry-out chain internationally with restaurants on five continents.

Pappa John's Specialty Pizzas

Papa John's is kicking off football season with 6 new specialty pizza's to bring their total to 14.

They are also now offering a new whole-wheat pizza crust (for a limited time).

"At Papa John's, our specialty is the specialty pizza," said Bill
Van Epps, Papa John's president, USA. "Our company stands behind the
idea that better ingredients make a better pizza, and now we're able
to offer our customers more of our better ingredients in more
delicious, unique combinations."

Each specialty pizza is $12.99.

The specialty pizza's already available are The
Works, The Meats, Garden Fresh, BBQ Chicken & Bacon, Hawaiian BBQ
Chicken, Spicy Italian, Spinach Alfredo and Tuscan Six Cheese.

The 6 new ones are:

• Papa's White Pizza - A delicious blend of Ricotta cheese sauce and garlic Parmesan sauce, topped with Mozzarella cheese and special seasoning create a pure delight.

• Sicilian Classic - A must-have for hearty appetites, this pizza features a spicy combination of four delicious meats - Italian salami, Italian ham, pepperoni and spicy Italian sausage.

• Italian Meats Trio - A Robusto-style sauce, spicy Italian sausage, Italian ham, Italian salami, three cheeses and Italian herb seasonings form a pizza reminiscent of the Italian countryside.

• Spinach Alfredo Chicken Tomato - A rich and creamy blend of spinach and garlic Parmesan Alfredo sauce, grilled all-white chicken and Roma tomatoes on original crust.

• Smokehouse Bacon & Ham - Loaded with two traditional smokehouse meats - hickory-smoked bacon and ham - and sprinkled with fresh-sliced onions and green peppers to generate a perfect combination for a mouth-watering taste.

• Chicken Bacon Ranch - Garlic ranch sauce, grilled all-white chicken, bacon, onions and Roma tomatoes combine for a home-style pizza with a twist.

For a limited time, every Papa John's pizza will come in a custom-designed box highlighting the expanded specialty menu.