Pizza Inn Expands Non-Traditional Outlets

The ever expanding grocerant niche has attracted retailers from ever sector according to Tacoma, WA based Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson of Foodservice Solutions®.  That includes Pizza Inn who’s tag line is “America’s Hometown Pizza Place,” new prototype for a non-traditional licensing model called Pizza Inn Express, or PIE for short, that will give customers a fast, seamless experience when picking up their favorite hot pizza.

Scott Crane, CEO of Pizza Inn’s  parent company, Rave Restaurant Group, stated “Convenience stores are a $575 billion industry with 70 percent of sales attributed to in-store purchases,” says. “This could be a game-changer for Pizza Inn as we tap into new markets and expansion opportunities for our flagship brand. We’re already seeing great interest from existing and potential franchisees who see this model as a new way to serve customers the same iconic, quality pizza they have come to expect, but in a faster setting.”

Pizza Inn is targeting expansion within convenience stores, airports entertainment venue options or could go into grocery stores according to Johnson.  The licensing deal for Pizza Inn Express will allow customers to order and pay at a kiosk for grab-and-go or pick up their food at a designated spot. Pizza Inn Express was developed as a new strategy to edify the brand, to expand the brands reach as they refresh the current store base.

Pizza Inn has a strong presence in the southeastern part of the country where the convenience store segment has the nation’s highest grouping of independent operators.  Pizza Inn expects to have its first prototypes operating within the next 90 days.

Bob Bafundo, president of Pizza Inn  stated “The PIE kiosk is attractive to non-traditional operators because it allows them to move quickly, be more nimble, and react to changes in customer traffic and facilities, all at a minimal investment,” … “It’s a branded concept that’s attractive enough to be the permanent centerpiece in a travel center or airport, yet nimble enough to provide the same benefits traditional operators get from a food truck.”

Is your brand stuck? Are you trapped doing what you have always done and doing it the same way?  Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information.