Located all over the country, pizza chain restaurants provide business owners with a plethora of choices. Gone are the days when pizzeria chains only sold pizza; now patrons can choose from pasta dishes, salads and even sandwiches.

It can be overwhelming to decide among all the culinary delights you can serve at your pizza restaurant chain. The food market can be a fickle one; pay attention to any changes in the industry. Consider the following when following pizza chains news and trends:

1. Follow the trends online for national pizza chains.

2. Subscribe to magazines and other publications geared toward pizza stores.

3. Locate blogs or forums, and follow along to learn about recent findings for pizza chain stores.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read through pizza restaurant chain websites for the latest news

If you are seeking to further your career in the pizza business or want to know the latest information on what other pizza chains offer on their menus, then pay attention to the latest pizza chain restaurants news via websites. Pay particular attention to the competition; those who don't oftentimes end up losing customers.

I recommend: Pizza Marketplace is an ideal site for any type of pizza news and information. Sign up for its RSS feeds to receive instant updates on pizza happenings. You can even find case studies and podcasts on the site. Keep tabs on the industry-leading Pizza Hut by paying attention to its menu. You should be able to spot the newest trends when you see what other pizza chains are selling. Recently adding sandwiches to its menu, check out Domino's Pizza and its menu options.

Find publications based on the pizza franchise business

Keeping up with the latest news about the pizza business is vital to staying ahead of the competition. Educate yourself and read about any changes in the pizza chain industry.

I recommend: PMQ is the official website of the pizza industry, so stay in the loop by signing up for its Pizza Magazine. Search through previous issues or peruse the most recent issue via your computer. Pizza Today is the number one magazine for the pizza industry. In this magazine you can find current information on pizza restaurant management and a vendor directory.

Locate blogs or forums based on pizza chain stores, and take part in the discussion

Blogs have quickly become one of the best ways to keep in contact with others in your profession. The discussion areas on blogs or in forums might provide important pizza franchise information that a major news publication may not publish. Finding that nugget can make your pizza chain stand out above all the others.

I recommend: Slice is a pizza blog featuring news, reviews, videos and musings about the pizza pie. Take note of the pizzas the reviewers write about; it can help you determine what might work for your pizza franchise. Check out Pizza.com and its forums area. Look through postings on its pizza business forum to network with others or post questions yourself.

Get recent pizza chain news from restaurant trade magazines

There are trade magazines available that cover chain restaurants, including the chain pizza parlors and delivery chains. Pay attention to these magazines as they feature extensive reporting on business developments and consumer trends.

I recommend: Nation's Restaurant News is a leader in the foodservice industry. Foodservice.com is another site to consider for franchised pizza dining news.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Feel free to mix up your menu, even though recent pizza chains news and trends tell you not to. What works well in one part of the country might not work well in another. Read about your location's food preferences, such as deep dish in Chicago and thin crust in New York, and maybe make some amendments to your menu.

Pizza chain restaurants are located in cities all over the country. Their menus offer a variety of pizza dishes including pasta, salads and every sized pizza. People like them because they can get a delicious meal for a reasonable price and they can eat in, take out or get delivery service.

Cash in on pizza chains by opening your own in your city. Large conglomerates own these chains and franchise them out, so get the scoop on start up costs and other regulations. Decide if you will run it yourself or hire a management team. Look for the following when deciding on franchise terms for chain pizza restaurants:

1. Decide which pizza franchise is right for you.

Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 2. Decipher start up cost, initial investment and net worth requirements for pizzeria chains.

3. Choose chain pizza parlors based on name recognition.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check availability and pricing for chain pizza restaurants

Not every franchise has openings in your area. Once you have decided on a chain, contact them to find out if you can open a store in your area. If they have no need in your local area, they will send you a list of close areas that need a local restaurant. You can also decide on a restaurant chain based on total price or down payment needed. You can check your state to see which restaurant chains have openings.

I recommend: Boston's The Gourmet Pizza asks you to fill out their form and they will provide information about their franchise opportunities and where they need current location. Pizza Inn offers three types of restaurant concepts buffet, delivery/carry out, and express locations. Choose your type and start this franchise process.

Ask the pizza franchise about initial investment

Initial investments for restaurant chains is usually high however, some cost less than others cost. Before you decide, find out exactly what monetary commitments you will need to make upfront. Remember also, that the initial investment for the franchise fee only covers the franchise itself and you will still need working capital for such expenses as electricity, phone and payroll.

I recommend: Buck's Pizza offers franchises with a franchise fee of $20,000. Your total start up cost ranges from $163,450 to $341,400 and this includes retail space, equipment and opening inventory. Breadeaux Pizza charges a franchise fee of $15,000 and five percent royalty fees. Get in on this deal if your liquid assets are $100,000 and your net worth is $350,000.

Open a pizza restaurant chain for immediate business

When you open a chain store, you are cashing in on the name of the franchise. People know that whether your store is in Maine or California, they will get the same menu and service and they stop at a familiar place. This is why you buy a franchise but the down side is there are tight regulations on franchises. You will get your operating schedule, menu and décor from the company. If you fail to meet your obligations, which usually include buying all of your supplies from them, you will lose your franchise.

I recommend: Franchise Solutions lists available restaurant chain franchises. Find the one that interests you and read the requirements, including hours of operation and training to see if this is the right business for you. Find a Franchise shows all restaurant chains with current openings. Check requirements for the business of your choice.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Purchase business insurance for pizza stores before you open for business. Make sure your insurance covers all hazards including accidents and food poisoning as well as the normal fire and theft.

Food franchises rank high on the U. S. franchise list, with pizza chain restaurants near the top. Pizza has definitely become one of America’s most popular fast foods with Americans consuming over 100 acres of pizza a day, according to statistics. Entrepreneurs looking for a profitable business venture could do well with the purchase of a pizza restaurant. Business success, however, does not lie solely in the ownership of a restaurant. Good management skills of supervisors and managers are essential for keeping the business moving forward.

Many national pizza chains have their own corporate training facilities where the company teaches business management skills. Often, this initial training includes hands-on training in an established store followed by regular field visits by corporate support staff. Some pizza stores, however, do not offer the support of a skilled management-level team. When considering the purchase of a pizza restaurant or pizza restaurant chain, take a good look at the company's management training program.

1. Do pizza chain stores have a skilled team trained to give on-going support to new store owners?

2. Is there an established training program teaching basic management skills?

3. Is fieldwork included in the training package?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get financial facts about pizza franchise concepts and decide on a plan that works for you

There are three basic franchise concepts in the pizza sector: buffet, delivery/take-out and express. When considering a pizzeria franchise, explore the financial obligations involved and determine which concept would work for you. Find out how much training is involved with each concept and if the cost of training is included in the start-up fee.

I recommend: Gatti's delivery/take-out concept involves three weeks of hands-on training, while a buffet store requires five weeks. Training programs at Godfather's Pizza range from two days to several weeks.

Locate pizzeria chains based on your chosen concept and compare training programs

Remembering that good management skills are essential for the success of your business, make it a priority to thoroughly investigate the management training program of the chain pizza restaurants under consideration.

I recommend: Scooters Pizza offers training for franchisees and managers as well as kitchen staff, cashiers and drivers. NYPD Pizza offers extensive franchise training and a strong operations support system.

Check available pizza chain restaurants and compare the solidity of the management training programs

You have nailed down your choice of a pizza store. Now is the time to check for availability in your area. If an opening is available, speak to a manager and get concrete details on the management training program.

I recommend: Extreme Pizza provides hands-on training as part of the initial franchise fee. Group training sessions are also available throughout the year and the company encourages franchisees to attend regional meetings and seminars providing added support. Marco's Pizza's 8-week Training Operational Procedures Program includes classroom training, in-store training and on-going training. Marco's vision for training is to be the best in the industry. Pizza Inn offers marketing support via print, TV and radio.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Restaurants have different requirements for pizza chains management education and training. Some pizza chains require the principal operator to already have some management skills and to be in place prior to the opening of the first store.

Owning pizza stores and delivery services require that you keep your pulse on the latest news and trends in the industry. What impact has the economy had on sales? Are consumers cutting back on buying from chain pizza delivery places, or are sales up? Are they tipping your drivers well, or will you have a hard time keeping drivers because tips have declined?

Pizza chain restaurants can give you an excellent opportunity for profit if you know how to adequately market and sell your product, but decreased sales and stagnant growth can leave you behind while your competitors overtake you. Make sure that you keep your pizza franchise ahead of the pack by tracking and staying ahead of growth trends.

To find out more about pizza chains news and trends:

1. Stay on top of pizza chains news and trends by reading market updates and company sales lit.

2. Subscribe to and read online versions of publications targeted to chain pizza restaurants.

3. Step out of your pizza chain stores for a little adventure. Head to the closest trade show or convention.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read pizza franchise sales lit and market updates to keep your pulse on the industry

Keep an eye out for as much market research as you can to keep pace with available trend information.

I recommend: Check out the latest pizza market place news and sign up for the newsletter while you are there while visiting Pizza Marketplace. Schwan's Food Service offers pizza trend information as part of their Freschetta Pizza Program for sales people.

Take advantage of publications for pizza chains

Make the most of publications designed for pizza chain restaurants, their owners and industry vendors. Most of these publications are free to those in the industry and have online versions as well.

I recommend: Find out if you qualify for a free subscription to PMQ Pizza Magazine for pizzeria owners and industry vendors. Subscribe to Pizza Today, or check out their online archive of back issues. You can also sign up for their Hot Slice E-Newsletter while visiting their site as well.

Go to a tradeshow event targeted to pizza chain restaurants

Take advantage of tradeshow and convention events for pizza chain restaurants and their owners to network with other vendors and owners. Learn tricks of the trade to help you boost sales and learn first hand what the latest trends are in the industry.

I recommend: Consider taking a trip to the International Pizza Expo tradeshow event. The National Frozen Pizza Institute also offers a national convention. Some national pizza chains are going towards unbaked carry home pizzas, so proper preparation for straight to over or freezer is critical for consumer health.