Latest news with #JeffHetsel
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Nostalgic Pizza Buffet Chain That's Been Making A Comeback
While pizza giants like Domino's, Papa John's, and Pizza Hut continue to compete amongst each other, there's a casual, sit-down restaurant chain serving up buffet–style, all-you-can-eat pizza that has been staging a quiet comeback since it filed for bankruptcy in 2021. That chain? Cicis Pizza, a now 40-year-old mainstay in family dining based in Coppell, Texas, with around 300 restaurants spread out amongst over 30 states at the time of writing. It once was a go-to spot — and a lifesaver — for busy families who need to fill up at a modest price point (just $1.99 per adult, originally). After peaking with over 600 locations in 2009, that number gradually began to declined; in January 2021, nearly a year after the COVID-19 pandemic began, Cicis entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy. But a mere two months later, it emerged debt-free, with new owners and a new lease on life. Certainly, Jeff Hetsel, the president and COO of Cicis, was looking forward to staging a comeback. In 2023, under the leadership of Hetsel and prominent shareholder Chris Dharod, the chain tweaked its pizza recipe, and more importantly, expanded the size of its game rooms. That latter move alone exploded same-store sales, and it wasn't just making the game rooms larger that helped. Cicis Pizza locations also invested money into modernizing its game room experience, getting rid of tokens (which can be easily dropped or lost) and replacing them with cards. These interactive game elements may just help Cicis get one step ahead of rival pizza chains. Read more: Ranking Frozen Pizzas From Worst To Best Despite its successes after emerging from bankruptcy in 2021, Cicis Pizza still occupies a tenuous market space, as casual dining restaurant chains take hit after hit (like TGI Fridays, which filed for bankruptcy in November 2024, and Hooters, which went bankrupt just five months later). Cicis continues to evolve, however, leaning into its newer call-ahead, pick-up-in-store ordering system, as well as third-party delivery models. It's also getting in on the "value wars," attempting to offer customers menu items that provide more bang for your buck. Cicis recently went old school for its 40 year anniversary, offering "vintage" pricing of $4.99 adult buffet admission on select days of the week. The new era of Cicis is also leaning into modern technology in a big way, implementing stringent and widespread security measures in Payment Card Data (PCI), as well as leveraging AI in innovative ways. The pizza buffet chain also recently won the Visionary in Technology Award, presented by XRobotics, for "leading the way in modernizing restaurant operations through smart, scalable technology solutions," (via Pizza Marketplace). This integration of cutting edge technology into everyday operations, while still staying true to what made it a success in the first place, may be exactly what Cicis needs in order to survive whatever comes next. Want more food knowledge? Sign up to our free newsletter where we're helping thousands of foodies, like you, become culinary masters, one email at a time. Read the original article on Food Republic.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
National Pi Day is Friday! How to get deals, discounts on pizza, pies in Texas on March 14
It's National Pi Day, so treat yourself to some pie — pizza, dessert or both, whatever your heart desires! That first "Pi" isn't a typo and differs from the tasty "pie" we eat, though we could easily draw some geometric similarities between the two. So before we dive in, we should probably clarify... March 14 (think 3.14) is commonly referred to as Pi Day, a day that aims to celebrate the ratio of the circumference of a circle. The number is known as 3.14 or π and can actually go on forever. The most accurate value for Pi, according to Guinness World Records, is more than 62 trillion digits (62,831,853,071,796 to be precise), calculated in August 2021 by the University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland. While the day is popular in math circles, it is also a day for those looking to score great deals on actual pie, pizza pie and other circular treats. Several chains are offering discounts or freebies to celebrate the unofficial holiday. Here's how you can score a deal in Texas on March 14. Blaze Pizza is offering customers a buy one 11-inch pizza, get a second pizza of equal or lesser value for $3.14 on March 14. Additionally, each customer taking advantage of the deal on Pi Day will receive a code, redeemable in the Blaze Pizza app, that unlocks another buy one, get one for $3.14 any time through the end of March. This offer also includes delivery orders made through the company's app. The company said this is its 12th straight year celebrating the day and the offer will be available at all of its nearly 300 locations across North America, which includes 21 in Texas. Click here to find a Blaze Pizza near you. Customers at Marco's Pizza can get a medium 1-topping pizza for $3.14 with the purchase of any large or extra-large menu-priced pizza, with code "PIDAY." The offer is available for online and app orders only, according to the company. With nearly 200 locations, Texas claims the highest number of Marco's Pizzas among states. Click here to find a Marco's Pizza near you. Cici's Pizza customers who buy one medium or large 1-topping pizza with Cici's original round crust can purchase a second pizza of the same size for $3.14. The offer can be redeemed in-store or online with the code "PIDAY." "At Cici's, we jump at every chance to deliver more of what our guests love at an unbeatable value," said Jeff Hetsel, President of Cici's Pizza, in a news release. "Pi Day is the perfect opportunity to have some fun while staying true to our mission — offering delicious pizza at a price that's worth celebrating." With over 100 stores, Texas claims one third of all Cici's Pizza locations in the U.S. Click here to find a Cici's Pizza near you. For two days only, on March 13 and 14, CPK Rewards members can get an Original BBQ Chicken, Pepperoni, or Traditional Cheese pizza for $3.14 with any purchase of $25 or more. Non-members can enroll in CPK Rewards on or on the CPK app anytime through March 14 to get the deal, which is available for dine-in, takeout or delivery. "Pi Day has become a mathematically proven pizza holiday, and we're thrilled to deliver an amazing value to help guests celebrate," said Chef Paul Pszybylski, Executive Chef and Vice President of Culinary Innovation at California Pizza Kitchen, in a news release. "Your favorite CPK pizza at an unbeatable price is the best value equation I can think of." Texas has two California Pizza Kitchen locations, one in Houston and the other in Plano. Papa Murphy's is offering customers 31.4% off your online order, no minimum purchase required, using code "PIDAY25." The discount is applicable to regular priced menu items only. Click here to find a Papa Murphy's location near you. Customers who join Papa Johns' rewards program by Friday can buy one large or extra-large pizza and receive another of equal or lesser value for $3.14 on March 14. Click here to find a Papa Johns near you. Pizza Hut will offer its "pizza charcuterie" meal, which includes two medium pizzas, eight boneless wings and breadsticks for $25, on March 14. Click here to find a Pizza Hut near you. Round Table Pizza is offering Royal Rewards Members a Personal Pizza with a choice of one topping for $3.14 with the purchase of any Large or XL pizza at participating locations on March 14. The deal is valid for Royal Rewards Members who have signed up for the rewards program prior to March 14. Click here to find a Round Table Pizza near you. Mountain Mike's Pizza is offering Mountain rewards members a free mini pizza with the purchase of a 20 oz. bottled beverage on March 14. Click here to find a Mountain Mike's Pizza near you. 7-Eleven and Speedway convenience stores will offer whole pizzas for $3.14 on Pi Day. Toppings include plain cheese, pepperoni and supreme (pepperoni, sausage, bell pepper, onion and mushroom). Click here too find a 7-Eleven near you. Grimaldi's Pizzeria is offering their giant slices for $3.14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, March 14. Click here to find a Grimaldi's Pizzeria near you. When dine-in customers purchase one regular, full-size Pizookie at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse on March 14, they can get a second one for $3.14. Click here to find a BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse near you. The Brass Tap is offering customers $12 pizzas, available at participating locations only. Click here to find a location near you. Schlotzky's is offering Rewards Members a pizza or flatbread for $3.14 on March 14. The offer is valid online or in-store at participating locations. Click here to find a Schlotzky's near you. Customers at Crust Pizza Co. can buy a large pizza and get a large 1-topping pizza for $3.14 on March 14. Click here to find a Crust Pizza Co. near you. Members of the Royal Perks reward program who spend $3.14 or more at Burger King can get a free Hershey's chocolate pie, available on March 14 while supplies last. Click here to find a Burger King near you. Famous Dave's is offering a free slice of Bakers Square pie with a $10 minimum purchase on March 14. Click here to find a Famous Dave's near you. Village Inn is offering a free slice of pie with the purchase of an entrée and beverage on March 14, available for dine-in customers at participating locations. El Paso has six Village Inn locations. — USA TODAY contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Pi Day specials: Deals, freebies on pizza, pies in Texas on Friday
