Domino's Pizza Shortlisted for BFA Awards

Domino’s Pizza, the pizza delivery expert, has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious British Franchise Association (BFA) HSBC Franchise Awards 2010. Domino’s has been shortlisted as Franchisor of the Year.

The BFA HSBC Awards recognise franchisors who are leading the way and demonstrating best practice in the industry.

Finalists are judged on their strategies, developments and achievements and Domino’s has been shortlisted based on its continued impressive growth, ambitious future plans and the comprehensive support it provides for its 135 franchisees in the UK and Ireland.

Andy Hirst, head of franchise development at Domino’s, said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for these prestigious awards, which recognise the country’s top franchisors. We’re really proud of the very successful franchise model we provide for our franchisees and being chosen as a finalist by the BFA is a great achievement. Domino’s is celebrating its 25th anniversary here in the UK this year so scooping the Franchisor of the Year Award really would be the icing on the cake – or the pepperoni on our pizza!”

Winners of the BFA HSBC Franchise Awards 2010 will be announced at the gala dinner in Nottingham on June 2, 2010.

Real Pizza #2 - Thanks to Food 52

I have to admit to knowing very little about the Food 52 Website and Community and so am grateful to Slice the Pizza Blog for letting me know that they have declared this week to be Pizza Week.

Some of the recipes they have posted look absolutely scrumptious.

Why not try one yourself and let us know what you think?

Italy's Pizza Police Leave No Stone Unturned In Their Quest for Real Pizza

It's an old article from The Times but I believe it's still worth reminding everyone of...

Pizzas, the Italian Government has decreed, are made with a thin crust, fresh plum or cherry tomatoes and mozzarella. Basil, oregano, garlic and olive oil are acceptable toppings but everything else is an affront to Italian cuisine.
An announcement in the Official Gazette — normally reserved for rather drier government regulations — confirmed that the Government is going on the offensive after 20 years of gastronomic hand-wringing about inferior imitations of Italian food.... (read more)

Cheers to Phil for the picture of his lovely home-created pizza which inspired me to look into the history of Real Pizza, which apparently I have never tasted before!

RT:via procphil: @simonpickles Have you seen a REAL pizza before Simon? http://yfrog.com/1xivljless than a minute ago via YfrogSimon Pickles
simonpickles

California Pizza Kitchen Introduces the Cheeseburger Pizza

A great big thanks goes out to two of our readers from Portland Oregon, Nicola and Imelda, for letting us know about the latest offering from California Pizza Kitchen - The Limited Edition Cheeseburger Pizza.

According to the CPK website it consists of Ground Angus beef, caramelized sweet onions, Mozzarella and American cheeses, hearth-baked, then topped with Roma tomatoes and chilled shredded lettuce tossed in our secret sauce. You can add applewood smoked bacon and add fresh avocado, if that is what takes your fancy.

There are two pictures below, one from the CPK website and one of their menu. Is it the same pizza? Certainly the lower image looks more like the description above, but then again the picture from the menu says that is what it is too.

Can anyone enlighten us?

And has anyone tried one? To me, a burger and pizza lover, it sounds like heaven.

Please tell us what you think?

Or contact me via Twitter if you know of any other weird and wonderful creations out there in the Pizza world.

Online Ordering Leader Papa John's First to Surpass $2 Billion in Online Sales

Papa John's International, Inc. (PZZA 28.74, -0.03, -0.09%) -- which in 2001 was the first national pizza company to offer online ordering, at www.papajohns.com -- today surpassed $2 billion in online ordering pizza sales, reaching the milestone less than two years after becoming the first pizza company to eclipse $1 billion.

After hitting the $1 billion mark in 2008, Papa John's predicted it would take another three years to double that number. Yet, through constant improvements to the Website and the ordering experience -- such as 24/7 online ordering availability, a Spanish version of the Website and a Mobile website for ordering (mobile.papajohns.com) -- Papa John's has surpassed the mark faster than any pizza company worldwide.

"It has long been a priority at Papa John's to not only provide a quality pizza to our customers, but also provide them with quality, convenient high-tech resources to order pizza," said Jim Ensign, Papa John's Vice President, Digital Marketing. "As more and more people become dependent upon their computers and mobile devices to simplify their lives, our online ordering system has kept pace. This latest milestone of reaching $2 billion in online orders within two years of reaching the first billion proves that consumers are increasingly using alternative methods for purchases, and we look forward to growing our technology suite to fit consumers' evolving purchasing trends."

Papa John's online sales have grown exponentially since 2001, with online sales on average growing more than 50 percent each year through 2007 and steadily rising every year since. Today, more than 25 percent of all Papa John's sales come online or through text, widget, or mobile device, and the company believes sales via alternative access channels could one day surpass traditional telephone orders.

Since first offering online ordering in 2001, Papa John's continues to innovate in the online space including:

-- A Facebook "Fan" page, which includes more than 1.1 million fans

-- Over $17 million in Mobile web sales since launch in late 2008

-- Plan ahead ordering, allowing customers to place orders up to 21 days in advance

-- 24/7 online ordering, letting customers log on outside of business hours to place their orders

-- "Repeat Last Order" function, replicating a customer's most recent order with just one click

The Best Pizzeria in The World?

After our recent link to an article in The Guardian, avid reader (and self -proclaimed pizza fanatic) Andrew from Lincoln,Mass. contacted us to disagree with the assertion that Pizzeria Ana in Agripoli served the best pizzas in Italy.

He countered that the reputation of the World-famous L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele is more than deserved.

Featuring as a central venue in the book and film Eat,Pray Love if you choose to dine here you will be following in the footsteps of many celebrities and foodies before you.

Tucked away on a side street (Finding it is part of the fun!), there is either a queue to get in, or you may be asked to share a table with strangers (Pizza is the international language of friendship!).

Andy says that on his visit he had The Margarita while his lovely lady wife Lisa chose The Marinari. Normal size is more than enough for one. The wine list is excellent too I am told.

Indeed Andy's opinion is more than backed up by all the people who have submitted reviews on Tripadvisor.

Some people may find it too busy and chaotic for their liking, but show me a pizzeria that is busy from Open 'til Close and you can be guaranteed that they are doing most things right.

Directions, opening times and other details are here on the Contact Us tab.

If you've been here please leave your comments below.

The Best Pizzeria in Italy?

Guardian Travel Writer Mike McDowall sets off on a quest to see if this, as he was told, is indeed the best pizzeria in Italy.

Declaring a restaurant "the Best" is always going to be subjective, but if you'd like to find out why Mike thinks this is true then read his article from The Guardian on May 1st 2010.

We think you might agree.