PITTSBURGH, July 13, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Unique Pizza and Subs Corporation (Pink Sheets:UPZS) a Delaware Corporation, announces the appointment of William J. (B.J.) Rafaloski Sr. as Director of Conversions. Some of Mr. Rafaloski's responsibilities as Director of Conversions include: implementation of Unique Pizza and Subs' proven conversion strategy, train and oversee the field employees within the conversion department, work with the franchising and marketing departments to hand-select the independent pizza shops that will convert into UPZS franchises. Mr. Rafaloski successfully converted his own independent pizza location (Italianos of Beechview, Pa) into Unique Pizza back in 1997. "Converting my shop over to Unique is the only reason why I am still in business. It is with great pride that I accept the appointment as Director of Conversions for Unique Pizza and Subs and I look forward to converting independent pizza shops that are struggling to survive, just like my shop was nine years ago, into successful Unique Pizza and Subs franchises. I could not ask for an easier and more rewarding job than this one, because all I have to do is speak from heart and experience," stated Mr. Rafaloski.
James Vowler, President/CEO and Founder of Unique Pizza and Subs, stated, "I started developing this franchise back in 1991 with a couple Unique concepts that would clearly separate us from the other major pizza franchises. We needed to have more than just the best product in the industry, we needed a way to grow rapidly in any market. Having traveled extensively and lived in many different states, I noticed all the major pizza franchises were predominately located in highly populated markets, leaving a tremendously large pizza eating population only serviced by independent pizza shops. Two of the main reasons the major pizza franchises do not locate in smaller markets is because of the inferior quality of their product compared to the local independents and their corporate ownership is not usually welcomed. To succeed in a smaller market a pizza shop needs to have these key elements: a high quality and consistently made product, good, professional and friendly customer service, and an owner that lives, works and pays taxes in that small market."
Vowler continued, "In 1997 B.J. Rafaloski owned and operated a local independent pizza franchise in Beechview, Pa. Like many independents his business was struggling to stay open and be profitable. He was trying to sell his shop when I first met him, and he was having some difficulty. The offers to buy his shop were for about one third of what he owed to the bank and he was losing money every week that he stayed open. This is a very common situation for independent pizza shops. A buyer of an independent pizza shop typically is only paying for used equipment for pennies on the dollar. Since we converted B.J.'s location over to a Unique Pizza, the sales and profits have more than tripled, nine years later his location is thriving and every day he is increasing his market value of his location. We could not ask for a more qualified person to head up our conversion department. B.J. has seen first hand what converting struggling independent pizza shops into successful Unique Pizza and Subs franchises is all about."
Unique Pizza and Subs continues to announce very significant and positive corporate developments, causing a great deal of excitement in the financial markets. This helps demonstrate to their shareholders and potential investors its long-term strategic expansion plan to capture a substantial portion of the U.S. pizza market. They are employing strategies that are expanding its market share and enhancing its visibility as the premier pizza franchise in the U.S. Their tactical plan addresses a market need to grow by "conversions," which will consolidate their industry and eliminate competition. Instead of building all new stores that would saturate the market, UPZS opens strategically located stores in an area and then builds that market by converting existing independent pizza shops into Unique Pizza and Subs. There continues to be strong support for the stock price because of heightened investor enthusiasm and considerable achievements in key target markets. UPZS is on its way to securing a large share of this vast U.S. pizza market. Current territories already scheduled for opening this summer are: Atlanta, GA, Austin, TX, Boston, MA, Milwaukee, WI, Norfolk/Chesapeake, VA and Pittsburgh, PA.
About Unique Pizza and Subs Corporation, a Delaware Corporation
Unique Pizza and Subs Corporation currently is a startup/development stage company. Jim Vowler, President and CEO, completed four years of research before opening his first pizza restaurant in Millvale, PA and then spent the next eleven years refining every aspect of the pizza business and was responsible for opening more than 20 locations under the name Unique Pizza Factory Corporation. Mr. Vowler's pizzas were the official pizza of the Pittsburgh Penguins and won numerous awards for taste and quality. Calling on this experience, Mr. Vowler has assembled an experienced management team to further develop the company's unique, quality products and business model that is well positioned for rapid growth.
The Unique Pizza and Subs logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2466
This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 27E of the Securities Act of 1934. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain. Actual performance and results may differ materially from that projected or suggested herein due to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, ability to obtain financing and regulatory and shareholder approval for anticipated actions.