28-Year-Old Chain Kicks Off New Business Model
DALLAS — May 21, 2014 – After 28 years in business, Pizza Patrón has opened its first corporate-owned store at 1456 Beltline Rd. in Garland, Texas. Pizza Patrón’s new expansion strategy includes development of company-owned restaurants as well as stores built by existing “battle-tested” multi-unit operators that possess solid track records, financial resources and operational savvy.
In the past year, Pizza Patrón has strengthened its position and laid a foundation for high growth by suspending pursuit of new franchisees and eliminating low-performing operators, strategically closing over 20 percent of its stores. The company also narrowed its brand focus from “Hispanic” to “Mexican” to start 2014, intensifying its relationship with customers and further differentiating itself in the marketplace.
Despite having 20 percent fewer stores, Pizza Patrón’s yearly total sales are up 3.9 percent through May 18th, and comp sales are up 10 percent through May 18th
“We are very excited about the opening of this new corporate store,” said Andrew Gamm, brand director for Pizza Patrón. “This is the kickoff of a very new and highly controlled growth strategy. The company is focusing on building a corporate culture which would be challenging to do with franchising where the brand has no say in the hiring process and those decisions are left to each individual franchisee.”
Gamm went on to say that the company is currently hiring team members and managers, and putting in the infrastructure to support team building for each new company store. Its corporate staff is expected to grow from 10 employees to nearly 150 by the end of 2014.
“Protecting the brand’s integrity in the marketplace is paramount and this direction gives us more control over training and execution, plus better access to front-line employees that are responsible for the customer’s brand experience,” said Gamm. “Also, company-owned stores align us with our franchisees — they see that we have skin in the game too!”
For staffing information, call Pizza Patron’s employment hotline 972-982-0091.
“The economy continues to challenge our business with high commodity prices and competitive sales pressures,” said Gamm. “We are forced to be very strategic in how we choose to expand our business and gain headway in the marketplace rapidly.”
About Pizza Patrón
Since 1986, Pizza Patrón has been committed to making its promise of “Más Pizza. Menos Dinero.®” a reality for every customer. From the beginning, the brand has been recognized for its ‘fresh-dough’ pizza, its low prices and its trademark “friendly, bicultural service.” In 2007, the company drew international media attention with its PIZZA POR PESOS® program when it began accepting Mexican Pesos at all of its restaurants. In 2012, the company’s PIZZA POR FAVOR™ promotion that gave free pizzas to anyone who ordered in Spanish sparked international news coverage and lively debate throughout the U.S. Today, Pizza Patrón is the leading Mexican pizza brand in the U.S. and remains dedicated to bringing its unique experience to life with every pizza made, and in every community it serves.
Website – www.pizzapatron.com
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