Pizza Schmizza
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pizza Schmizza | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Type | |
| Founded | Oregon |
| Headquarters | Hillsboro, Oregon |
| Key people | Andre and Carla Jehan, co-founders |
| Industry | Fast food restaurants |
| Products | pizza, salads, soft drinks |
| Website | www.schmizza.com |
Pizza Schmizza is a Pacific Northwest pizza chain with thirty-one locations throughout Oregon and Washington, United States. Pizza Schmizza, primarily a selling thin crust pizza by-the-slice, is owned and operated by Salem, Oregon, based company Figaro's Pizza.[1]
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[edit] History
Pizza Schmizza opened its first location in 1993 in Hillsboro, Oregon.[2] Founders Andre and Carla Jehan expanded the pizza chain to 26 restaurants by 2003. That year they expanded the chain into the Seattle, Washington, market with franchised owned locations.[2]
In 2003, Pizza Schmizza received complaints from an advertising watchdog group for hiring homeless men to hold signs bearing the slogan "Pizza Schmizza paid me to hold this sign instead of asking for money".[3] Owner Andre Jehan countered that this was a way to help the homeless and that the homeless found the arrangement a positive experience.[4] Pizza Schmizza received a media award from the Oregon Department of Human Services for support of a program discouraging underage alcohol consumption in 2004.[5]
[edit] Aqusition by Figaro's Pizza
After CEO Doug Wetter was unable to do his day to day job with Pizza Schmizza, the company went into talks with Figaro's Pizza about selling the company. On April 11, 2008, Pizza Schmizza and Figaro's Pizza completed a deal for Figaro's to acquire Pizza Schmizza.[6] Figaro's plans to keep Pizza Schmizza running under the Schmizza name, and plans to grow the company, but slowly, and keep it a northwest based restaurant.
[edit] Operations
Pizza Schmizza ostensibly serves a New York style pizza with a thin hand-tossed crust and large, foldable slices, though their use of non-traditional toppings and sauces are suggestive of California-style pizza. In addition to more conventional offerings such as cheese and pepperoni, Pizza Schmizza offers a wide range of specialty pizzas including "sweet 'n sour" (chicken with red peppers, pineapple, and sesame seeds), "Rustic Pie" (potatoes, fresh tomatoes, garlic, broccoli, and feta), and house specialty Alligator Pie (alligator sausage, red peppers, onions, tomatoes, feta, and spaghetti noodles).
Pizza is generally sold by the slice, though full pizzas can be ordered for take-out at most locations. Pizza Schmizza offers delivery service, but usually only for orders totalling over $50. Pizza Schmizza is distinguished for its unconventional advertising methods, including pizza coupons disguised as parking tickets and faux political advertisements with the slogan "Elect Schmizza for dinner".
[edit] References
- ^ Figaro's Italian Pizza acquires Pizza Schmizza. Portland Business Journal, April 7, 2008.
- ^ a b Goldfield, Robert. Pizza Schmizza ready to take on Puget Sound. Portland Business Journal, August 1, 2003.
- ^ CNN.com - Pizza company hires homeless to hold ads - Jun. 17, 2003
- ^ Williams, Geoff. Hot Seat: Andre Jehan. Will Work for Food. Entrepreneur. Nov 2003, Vol. 31 Issue 11, p38.
- ^ Oregon DHS: News release Jan. 13, 2004
- ^ Rogoway, Mike. Pizza Schmizza sells to Figaro's. The Oregonian, April 08, 2008.
