DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - Jan 22, 2015) - Pizza Patrón experienced an impressive 2014, ending with a 10.1 percent increase in total sales and 32 of its 90 stores nailing all-time sales records. Same store average unit volume rose to a 17.1 percent increase over 2013.
The chain's executives site a number of reasons for registering successes in 2014, namely a newly rejuvenated corporate culture focused on selling pizzas rather than navigating the 'noise' in the system. This came after closing 20 percent of its underperforming units in 2013 and suspending franchise sales in January 2014, after a decade of franchising.
"The year was very positive for us. We have a fresh new perspective, a revitalized culture. Much of it is due to having let go of the underperforming units and the franchisees that required much of our time and resources," said Andrew Gamm, Pizza Patrón brand director. "The company continues development with an experienced core group of existing franchise partners that value our system and teamwork. We plan to knock it out of the park in 2015 with these guys!"
Gamm also gave credit to its controversial LTO campaign, La Ch!#gona. Despite outcry from critics and media censorship of its radio ads, the company proceeded with the March 31st launch of the promotion. The campaign lit up the 2014 U.S. Hispanic Idea Awards held in Miami Beach, Florida, winning Best PR Campaign. During the first three weeks of sales, Pizza Patrón reported that La Ch!#gona represented more than 4 percent of the pizza sales mix, more than doubling the company's peak historical average for a new LTO launch.
Two other campaigns performed well for the chain. In August, Pizza Patrón experienced huge success with its $3.99 campaign, which offered a large pepperoni pizza for just $3.99 every Monday through Wednesday during August and September. Same store comparable sales were up by 18 percent over the previous year during the campaign period.
Then in October, Pizza Patrón debuted a Mexican-inspired pizza combo. For 13 full weeks, from Oct. 2 through Jan. 3rd, Pizza Patrón brought back two of its most popular LTO 'Favoritas' pizzas, La Toluqeña and La Choriquezo. The two large specialty pizzas are based on traditional Mexican recipes and were offered for $16.99 at all Pizza Patrón locations. Same store comparable sales went up by 13.8 percent over the previous year during the campaign period.
"Pizza Patron has never been a healthier company by any measure than it is right now," said Antonio Swad, founder of Pizza Patrón. "This year we plan to leverage that momentum to propel our company and our brand forward in a big way. Over the past year and a half, we made some hard calls and bold moves to improve our company. Now it's time again to hit the gas."
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
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pizzapatron
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/pizzapatron
Contact Information:
Contact:
Sandy Bell
Phone 972-800-1745
