AROUND THE INDUSTRY | AUSTRALIA PIZZA NEWS

Domino’s finds positives amongst the gloom, consumers still keen on pizza
From an article by James Ferre by PMQ editorial partner Australian Food News (www.ausfoodnews.com.au).

Australian owned and operated Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (”Domino’s”) announced at their AGM that positive same store sales growth had been recorded during the first four months of trading for 2008/09 in all markets, as their global expansion continues in earnest.

Domino’s CEO Don Meij said markets were currently performing well given the current global economic climate. “With four months of trading already completed, group sales are currently ahead of expectations and all markets have recorded positive same store sales growth,” he said. “However, we still have eight months of trading ahead of us and we are coming up against some strong promotions. Therefore, management remains positive but cautious.”

While Domino’s, Australia’s only publicly-listed pizza company, expects the current economic environment to have an impact on lending for store growth, they also expect to see some benefits.

“While it’s unfortunate that the community is experiencing tough times, there are some underlying benefits for our business. Pizza remains an affordable meal for families given it’s a good value takeaway alternative to eating out,” Mr Meij said. “We will also continue to offer employment opportunities across the business, which is good news. During recent years, with very low unemployment, we’ve found it tough to staff our stores and we can now look forward attracting more quality team member.”

Domino’s expect growth to continue into 2008/09, with the company to add new stores to the group and strengthen the brand in all five countries. “By June 2009 we expect to open between 40 - 50 new stores across Australia, New Zealand, France, Belgium and The Netherlands. We are also looking at new marketing and operational initiatives which will see a new approach to the brand in all markets,” Mr Meij said. “The weakening Australian Dollar will also aid our earnings results in Europe and New Zealand.”

Crust heats up with WOW! Pizza Oven!
Crust Gourmet Pizza Bars has taken customer service and energy efficiency to the next level with the purchase of a Middleby Marshall WOW! Oven - the first of its kind to be released in Australia. Crust’s flagship Annandale store is now one of the first pizza shops in Australia to own the innovative new WOW! Oven. Previously only available in the US, the oven boasts the fastest cooking time in the pizza industry and has already delivered by increasing productivity in the Annandale store.

Crust’s WOW! oven decreases pizza cook time by 30%, as well as cutting energy usage by an average 30%, which means Crust Annandale can now cook pizzas in 4.5 minutes as opposed to 7 minutes; all while reducing the store’s carbon footprint and monthly electricity bills.

Peter Augoustis, Crust Business & Menu Development Manager and former International Champion Pizza Maker, said the oven will add to Crust’s ability to offer a higher quality, healthier pizza delivered quickly and efficiently.

“In the pizza business up to 50% of a day’s turnover can occur within a period of 1.5 hours, so we need to make sure we help franchisees to be as efficient as possible, while still maintaining high the quality Crust is known for,” said Augoustis. “Crust is committed to delivering the highest possible standards to its franchisees at all touch points, and securing the highest quality equipment is just one of the ways we deliver on this promise.”

Crust Annandale installed the WOW! oven on November 1, 2008, and immediately slashed 20 minutes off average delivery times, and 10 to 15 minutes off average pick-up times on the first night the oven was in operation. Crust plans to install WOW ovens in another five stores by the end of this financial year.

Crust Gourmet Pizza Bars launched in 2001 with a single store in Annandale, Sydney, and has since grown to 19 stores across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. It became a member of the Coeliac Society of Australia and recently, Crust became the first take away pizza operator in Australia to earn the Heart Foundation Tick of approval on a range of six Healthier Choice Pizzas.

Dessert “Thingies” for Pizza Lovers

Traditional sweet dessert favourites have been combined with fresh pizza dough to create Eagle Boys Pizza’s exciting new Dessert “Thingies”.

Available in Choc Berry Crunch and Apple Crumble, Dessert “Thingies” are mini sweet pizzas offering a new twist on classic desserts. Developed by Eagle Boys Pizza’s Executive Chef Melanie Townsend, the range caters to the Australian sweet tooth.

“I’m constantly experimenting with different flavours and ingredients and the combination of sweet toppings on a pizza base was just too tempting,” she said.

“Using quality ingredients like choc chips, berry sauce, apple, custard, cinnamon and icing sugar, we’ve been able to develop a divine treat to complement a pizza.

“Whether it’s enjoyed by the slice or with some ice cream, customer feedback has been extremely positive. People haven’t heard of Dessert ‘Thingies’ before, but once they’ve tried a slice it’s impossible not to have another.”