Pizza Patron to Double U.S. Stores by 2011

Pizza Patron, the premier Latino pizza brand, plans to double its number of units over the next two years as part of a strategy to gain market share throughout the country. The company currently has development agreements in place for more than 40 stores in 10 different markets, and expects that number to increase by more than 200 percent before the end of the year.

According to 2000 U.S. Census data, the United States represents the 2nd largest Latino population in the world and by the year 2020, one in five residents will be Latino. By 2050, within one generation, that number will skyrocket and nearly 1 in 3 people in the U.S. will be Hispanic according to U.S. Census Population Projections, August 14, 2008.

"Now is the perfect time for us to implement an aggressive expansion strategy," said Andrew Gamm, director of Brand Development for Pizza Patron. "Today's challenging economic climate and shifting consumer base has created the opportunity of a lifetime for our concept. Our Latino-Hispano brand focus naturally aligns us with the youngest and fastest-growing demographic in the U.S., ensuring solid growth potential for decades to come."

The chain has carved-out a unique niche and continues to set the stage to become a major player in the pizza segment, analysts say.

"Pizza Patron has meaningfully differentiated itself from competing firms in the same industry like Domino's and Papa John's, and at the same time, it has differentiated itself from alternative fast food choices such as Subway, McDonald's or Sonic," said David Strutton, a University of North Texas marketing professor. "People will eat fast food, and given the brand's publicity and convenience advantage, it will draw people away from a lot of competitors."

Pizza Patron has been credited with creating the country's first chain of Latino-Hispano focused restaurants, where traditional American-style pizza is served in a distinctly Latin environment. The company currently operates nearly 90 stores in six states and plans to have 750 stores nationwide within a decade. It also plans to expand development of its Quick Service Pizza(TM) (QSP(TM)) model, which company officials say could change the way people think about buying pizza.

The chain's new QSP(TM) model brings the convenience of fast-food to the pizza segment. Each QSP(TM) location features three distinct points of service for customers -- a drive-thru order menu with pick-up window, a walk-up order window, and a colorful lobby strategically developed with a warm, food-centric retail environment.

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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