Pizza Patrón Logs Eight Percent Increase Q1 2009

DALLAS, TX--(Marketwire - April 22, 2009) - Pizza Patrón, the premier Latin pizza brand, has experienced comparable sales increases each month of 2009, finishing the quarter up by eight percent over first quarter 2008. Earlier this month, the chain announced that systemwide comparable sales increased 6.4 percent in March; this follows increases of 7.9 and 10.5 percent in January and February, respectively.

"Pizza has always been a great home meal replacement option for busy families," said Andrew Gamm, director of Brand Development for Pizza Patrón. "We are very pleased that we have been able to keep it affordable during tough times like this. Our newly-launched AMIGO PIZZAS™ give customers the 'Choose Your Amigo' value option of a one-topping pizza for $4, two or three toppings for $5 and specialty pizzas for only $6 each every day."

Pizza Patrón has been credited with creating the country's first chain of Latin focused restaurants, where traditional American-style pizza is served in a distinctly Latin environment. The company currently operates nearly 90 stores in six states and plans to have 750 stores nationwide within a decade. Gamm says the chain is always looking for ways to create a distinctly Latin experience for guests of all backgrounds.

"We've recently made many changes to the design of our store environments to make the Patrón experience even better and more memorable for customers," Gamm explained. "We improved the way we merchandise our products by giving visitors closer access to the wonderful sights and smells of the fresh food we produce."

According to 2000 U.S. Census data, the United States represents the 2nd largest Latino population in the world and, by the year 2020, one in five residents will be Latino. By 2050, within one generation, that number will skyrocket and nearly 1 in 3 people in the U.S. will be Hispanic according to U.S. Census Population Projections, August 14, 2008.

"When you combine our unique Latin focus with a loyal and growing customer base and an outstanding value proposition, it's clear that we are strategically set for a bright future," Gamm said.

About Pizza Patrón -- Pizza Patrón was founded by Antonio Swad in 1986. Since franchising began in March 2003, the brand has grown from four locations in Dallas to 87 locations in six states, with more than 40 additional stores under development. Pizza Patrón features festive, Latin-influenced pizza stores that are community-based in Spanish-speaking or predominately Hispanic neighborhoods. Since 2006, Pizza Patrón has expanded its menu to include new items such as Patrón Dips™, Fiesta Wings™, BreadStix™, QuesoStix™ and Churros. In addition, they successfully rolled-out their LISTA-NOW READY™ pizza program nationally. The carry-out pizza chain also features a variety of different store models including DINE-IN, RAPIDITO™ (airports/malls), TIENDITA™ (portable mini-store extension) and their QSP™ (Quick Service Pizza) drive-thru concept. All pizza dough is made fresh throughout the evening; no preservatives are added or needed. The sauce is prepared fresh in the stores from crushed Roma tomatoes and marinated with a secret blend of herbs and spices. Only 100% mozzarella cheese is used on all pizzas. X-Large pizzas are offered at prices as low as $6 for cheese and one topping and $4 for the same medium AMIGO PIZZA™. An X-Large 'La Patrona' deluxe pizza with everything is priced as low as $8.

For more information, visit http://www.pizzapatron.com/.

Contact Information: Contact: Sandy Bell S. Bell, Inc. 972-934-2850 x106 972-934-2870 Fax