[hollywoodnorth]

PIZZA PIZZA OPENS FIRST RESTAURANT IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Focus on sustained organic growth with help of local entrepreneurs



January 28, 2009 (Toronto, ON) – Today, Pizza Pizza opened the doors of its first traditional restaurant in British Columbia. The restaurant is situated on the south-west corner of 120th Street and 88th Ave (Nordel Road) along the border of Delta and Surrey, BC. The opening is part of an organic expansion plan for Pizza Pizza in British Columbia that has already seen the addition of counters at seven non-traditional locations operating in major sports venues, theatres and amusement parks. Pizza Pizza is inviting local entrepreneurs to join it in opening another five restaurant locations in the surrounding area in 2009.

The restaurant is a joint venture between Pizza Pizza and Harbinder Bains and Gurvinder Atwal. The new owners became interested in Pizza Pizza through a referral from Surihder Bains, a relative of one of the owners who has enjoyed success as an operator at Pizza Pizza’s sister brand, Pizza 73.

“There’s nothing more gratifying than to see a local operator succeed and spread the wealth, so to speak,” said Pat Finelli, chief marketing officer for both Pizza Pizza and Pizza 73. “We are happy to welcome Harbinder, Gurvinder and their staff to our team. Based on what we’ve seen through our courtship and their training, they have the engaging attitude and strong interpersonal skills that are sure to make the first Pizza Pizza restaurant in BC a smashing success.”

The outlet offers a clean and bright interior measuring 1,250 square feet that can welcome up to 27 sit-down customers, as well as a large number of take-out patrons. The new owners have hired 10 full and part-time local staff in preparation to open the doors in their community. The menu features a wide variety of choices similar to the company’s offerings in central Canada.

“We’re happy to join Pizza Pizza and honoured to be a part of the company’s first traditional restaurant in the province,” said Gurvinder (Gary) Atwal. “We have a quality product to offer local residents and feel confident in the company’s sustainable approach to expansion in the region, which includes exciting community and environmental commitments.”

Pizza Pizza will be focusing growth efforts primarily within the Surrey/Delta area to maximize brand recognition, network support and to uphold its commitment to offering strong customer service.

For more information, to schedule an interview with corporate officers or photos:

http://www.pizzapizza.ca/PPLWeb/CommandServlet?command=screenscmd&screenID=mc_news&menuId=257&docID=2009_01_28

[touraccuracy]

i only like pizza pizza because the one time i went to it (at the skydome) i gave the person a 50 but they gave change like i gave them a 100.

[worldwide]

their pizza is nothing special. big slices but expensive for the quality. at least thats been my experience. in ontario the slices go for about $4 so 8 or 9 for 2 slices and a pop. BC, or vancouver in general has a much more competitive pizza market, hence the dollar slice aka ghetto slice everywhere. $4 slices wont fly in van

[Spork]

their pizza is nothing special. big slices but expensive for the quality. at least thats been my experience. in ontario the slices go for about $4 so 8 or 9 for 2 slices and a pop. BC, or vancouver in general has a much more competitive pizza market, hence the dollar slice aka ghetto slice everywhere. $4 slices wont fly in van

Unless you're at SFU! (at Raven's in the WMX)

I anticipate success in Surrey, Delta, New West, Langley, but not much else. The independent owners here do a pretty good job, and we are a pretty solid foodie city. Even Fresh Slice seems to be struggling with their strong brand.

[LeftCoaster]

Pizza Pizza is awful, 5 years of living in ontario and dare I say it i was happy to get back to panago...

[djmk]

flying wedge is better (and local!)

[LotusLand]

Pizza Pizza sucks. I'll stick to the many other outlets in the city.

[mr.x]

aren't there already pizza pizza restaurants at UBC? There's one at the SUB and another by the bloody Sauder building.

The one at the SUB is terrible.

[SpongeG]

i passed that place the other night i was going to comment on it in the retail thread - there's quite a lot of new stuff going on scott road - a new taco bell KFC opened recently too at that corner next to pizza pizza and something is going in kitty corner to it - not sure what yet

anyone ever have papa joes? that is really good pizza

[SpongeG]

i think there is also one opening on KGH at 72nd - they have had a sign up for a few months now "coming soon"

[Kwik-E-Mart]

They won't last given the heated pizza market in Vancouver, unlike in Toronto where the market is dominated by a big chains like Pizza Pizza and Pizza Nova.

[crazyjoeda]

I agree Pizza Pizza is expensive. I was in Toronto in 2007 and the price surprised me; I'm use to the 99c slices they were charging like $4.

[deasine]

Very random question, but has anyone tried out that Strawberry Cones that sell "Japanese" Pizza at Aberdeen Centre?

[DKaz]

Mega Bite Pizza FTW, but if Pizza Pizza is selling organic pizza it may do well here.

[Kodii]

Pizza Pizza isn't found in BC? That's news to me... I just assumed that having two at UBC meant that they were everywhere else :haha:

Not that I really care... I never eat there. Good to hear a Flying Wedge is opening in Abbotsford though!

[Distill3d]

Pizza Pizza is inviting local entrepreneurs to join it in opening another five restaurant locations in the surrounding area in 2009.

Pizza Pizza’s sister brand, Pizza 73.



i only HOPE TO GOD that the other 5 are going to be Pizza 73's!!!!! they've the best pizza and the best deal's around!

[SpongeG]

there is also a pizza pizza inside silvercity richmond - has been there since at least last summer

[Cypherus]

I'll stick with Panago. I am a sucker for their cardboard-tasting crust.

[LeftCoaster]

Its a lesser of two evils really.

Panago sucks, but Pizza Pizza sucks more.

I only wish Flying Wedge delivered to West Van.

[GeeCee]

The article refers to the first 'traditional' Pizza Pizza restaurant in BC.. probably meaning freestanding rather than in a mall or movie theatre.

[giallo]

anyone ever have papa joes? that is really good pizza

Do you mean Papa John's? If so, yeah it's decent pizza. The ingredients are high quality for a chain. Pizza Hut and Papa's are currently fighting it out over here in Shanghai. Obviously, I prefer Papa's over the Slut if I'm in a junk food pizza kind of mood. Normally, I'll eat at Demarco's on Jiangsu Rd (the perfect Italian pie) or Chicago Deep Dish on Beijing Rd (supposedly the recipe is straight from Uno's in Chicago. Not sure if it's true, but it doesn't really matter as the pizza is spectacular).

Does Vancouver have a proper deep dish pizza yet? I remember there was a place on Denman St. that claimed it was deep dish, but was, in fact, not. Just a thick crust and rotten produce. They didn't even use the proper pan!

[MistyMountainHop]

My favourites in Vancouver are Nat's, Flying Wedge, Firewood Café and Incendio. Toronto has many great pizza places, but Pizza Pizza is not one of them.

[Yume-sama]

Hmm, I have never had Pizza Pizza. I really don't care for any pizza chains.

Little family owned shops are always the best.

[ckkelley]

i only like pizza pizza because the one time i went to it (at the skydome) i gave the person a 50 but they gave change like i gave them a 100.

Are you bragging about this?!!

[SpongeG]

Do you mean Papa John's? If so, yeah it's decent pizza. The ingredients are high quality for a chain. Pizza Hut and Papa's are currently fighting it out over here in Shanghai. Obviously, I prefer Papa's over the Slut if I'm in a junk food pizza kind of mood. Normally, I'll eat at Demarco's on Jiangsu Rd (the perfect Italian pie) or Chicago Deep Dish on Beijing Rd (supposedly the recipe is straight from Uno's in Chicago. Not sure if it's true, but it doesn't really matter as the pizza is spectacular).

Does Vancouver have a proper deep dish pizza yet? I remember there was a place on Denman St. that claimed it was deep dish, but was, in fact, not. Just a thick crust and rotten produce. They didn't even use the proper pan!

not papa johns - papa joes

its a local chain with a place in burnaby, one in vancouver and one in surrey
really good pizza, loads of toppings, good crust etc

they don't seem to have a website though they can be found on google in guides

[SpongeG]

according to a lot of people online there is some place in steveston that is really good

i can't think of the name but they have all raved about it on those review sites

[vanlaw]

not papa johns - papa joes

its a local chain with a place in burnaby, one in vancouver and one in surrey
really good pizza, loads of toppings, good crust etc

they don't seem to have a website though they can be found on google in guides

Is that the one that is at 29th/Rupert? - if so, its not bad. But imho, Ragazzi at 22nd btw Renfrew and Rupert (across from the pool) is the best in the city.

Re: deep dish pizza - Vancouver had a fantstic place way back - i.e. mid-late 80's - at Homer and Nelson or Smithe I think - I believe it was called Chicago Pizza Works or something. Great pan pizza with the actual pan, and the salad bar was in an old claw foot bathtub.

[CBeats]

There's one in Playland that's been there since last summer, in place of the "Coaster Cafe" or whatever it's called that served junk food by the wooden roller coaster. It's pricey and not that good, but it's also the first time they've ever had pizza for sale in the amusement park, so I'm not complaining. The pizza's nothing special.

[phesto]

Mega Bite Pizza FTW, but if Pizza Pizza is selling organic pizza it may do well here.

Mega Bite pizza is quite simply some of the worst pizza I've ever had anywhere. That coupled with some of the questionable sanitary conditions I've seen (and heard about), I won't even go there when I'm starving after a night of drinking.

Vancouver generally sucks for pizza, and you don't need to travel to New York or Chicago to figure this out. Bringing in one of Toronto's biggest and most mediocre chains ain't gonna help either.

[PROSTSHOCKER]

Uncle Fatihs is the best slice pizza in Van.

/thread

[LotusLand]

Uncle Fatihs is the best slice pizza in Van.

/thread

I second that! as for actual shops give Supreme Pizza or Hometown Pizza in East Van a try :)

[touraccuracy]

megabite and uncle fatihs are the best.

POTATO PIZZA

[Whalleyboy]

megabite and uncle fatihs are the best.

POTATO PIZZA

yes!

[SpongeG]

i like that place on davie next to the granville blendz

[flight_from_kamakura]

i was in toronto for easter weekend (i have some cool photos if people are interested) and one thing that i did notice was that these pizza pizza shops seem to multiply like cockroaches (though mostly just in the areas that they are likely to serve their suburban-dwelling clientele). it's nuts. though i'm not really a fan (not my sort of thing), if this becomes a national chain, rivaling domino's or something, it would really be noteworthy.

[SpongeG]

so pizza pizza is to Toronto as Starbucks is to Vancouver?

[Kwik-E-Mart]

so pizza pizza is to Toronto as Starbucks is to Vancouver?

Yes you can say that. There's always a PP at every corner in TO just like Tim's.

[SpongeG]

the only ones I ever went to were in Kingston - usually late at night after drinking

[EastVanMark]

There's one in Playland that's been there since last summer, in place of the "Coaster Cafe" or whatever it's called that served junk food by the wooden roller coaster. It's pricey and not that good, but it's also the first time they've ever had pizza for sale in the amusement park, so I'm not complaining. The pizza's nothing special.

There's one in the Coliseum too.


As for Deep dish pizza, don't think there's anywhere where you can get a good one. (or one at all; bad or otherwise).

[SpongeG]

presidents choice makes a chicago deep dish pizza

was pretty good for in the oven - but it made me sick

[ue]

i only HOPE TO GOD that the other 5 are going to be Pizza 73's!!!!! they've the best pizza and the best deal's around!

must be different there. pizza 73 is very meh here. it's very run of the mill and blah. plus they're everywhere. they're almost as frequent as mcdonalds, tim hortons, and mac's.

[Windex]

I always liked Pizza Pizza. I found of the major chains in the area (Dominoes, Pizza Hut), it tended to have the best prices and selection of ingredients. It wasn't always the highest quality, but it was usually pretty good. Although you're always going to find little mom and pop places that are better, you could do worse than Pizza Pizza.

[Yume-sama]

must be different there. pizza 73 is very meh here. it's very run of the mill and blah. plus they're everywhere. they're almost as frequent as mcdonalds, tim hortons, and mac's.

Yeah, I've never been a fan of eating cardboard, even if you DO get free wings.

There's a reason why they can afford to do this :P