Papa John’s Pizza Celebrates New Year’s Eve with Free Cinnapies

Image courtesy Papa John's International, Inc.

Tonight, Papa John’s Pizza will treat revelers at the official “New Year’s Eve in Times Square” party with coupons for a free Cinnapie.

Citing information from a company news release, Advertising Age reported yesterday that Papa John’s Founder and CEO John Schnatter will host one of several hourly countdowns at the celebration.  Counting down to the end of the 9 PM hour, Schnatter will address the crowd of thousands from atop a stage situated between 46th Street and 47th Street before signaling a “confetti” drop of coupons good for one free cinnamon-and-brown-sugar-struesel dessert.  Finally, in line with his “Papa’s in the House” series of television commercials, Schnatter will personally dispense pizzas throughout the crowd.

Togo’s Celebrates National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day with Free Food

Image Courtesy Togo's Eateries, Inc.

In celebration of National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day, Togo’s Sandwiches will give away free Mini Classic Pastrami Sandwiches on January 14.

Togo’s Mini Classics, smaller, 350-calorie versions of the chain’s six most popular subs, normally cost $2.50, but for a brief period, the pastrami Mini Classic will cost nothing in honor of this little-known holiday.  Togo’s takes great pride in its pastrami products — in an article on QSRMagazine.com, Chairman and CEO Tony Gioia describes them as “the best pastrami sandwiches on the west coast.”  Last fall, the company even offered a money-back guarantee for anyone who preferred a competitor’s pastrami over Togo’s.

Customers can receive one free sandwich each between the hours of 3 P.M. and 5 P.M. at all Togo’s restaurants on National Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day.

[SOURCE]

[Togos.com]

Chick-fil-A Introduces New Yogurt Parfait

Photo courtesy PRNewsFoto / Chick-fil-A, Inc.

Chick-fil-A customers will soon be able to complement their order with a new snack: the Chick-fil-A Yogurt Parfait.

The yogurt-and-strawberry treat comes topped with a choice of either granola bits or crumbled chocolate chip cookies.  Already in stores as a breakfast item in three markets, the parfait will be available all day after its nationwide rollout.  In a press release announcing the new item, Vice President of Brand Strategy and Design for the restaurant, Woody Faulk, describes the parfait as one of Chick-fil-A’s “healthier alternatives for breakfast,” however an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution questions this claim based on the parfait’s calorie and fat content.  The article also casts doubt as to whether the snack will gain popularity, citing a recent trend among American restaurant consumers to prioritize taste over nutrition when ordering.

Ten Dollars Buys Any Pizza at Pizza Hut

Image courtesy Pizza Hut, Inc.

As part of their 50th Anniversary celebration, Pizza Hut has created a deal in which customers can order any pizza for just ten dollars.

The promotion, labeled “$10 Pizza Days,” in essence temporarily eliminates the pizza delivery chain’s pricing structure.  As stated in a news release issued by the company, ten dollars will buy any size pizza, with any of the three available crust styles, and any combination of toppings.  With the exception of Stuffed Crust Pizzas (which cost an extra dollar), the deal has absolutely no exceptions and requires no coupons.

“$10 Pizza Days” applies at all locations nationwide for a limited time only.

[SOURCE]

[Pizza Hut on Twitter]

Jack in the Box Offers 5-Item Meal for $3.49

Image courtesy Jack in the Box, Inc.

Fans of Jack in the Box’s signature hamburger, the Jumbo Jack, can now enjoy one as part of the Jumbo Deal, the restaurant announced yesterday in a press release.

This new, limited time offer places its namesake burger at the center of a five-item meal, which also consists of a small fountain drink, a small order of french fries, and two tacos.  Customers can order the entire meal for a mere $3.49 in most markets as of December 28.

Taco Bell Brings “Fresco” Menu Items to Drive-Thru

Image Courtesy Taco Bell Corp.

Taco Bell has launched its new advertising campaign, the first for its Fresco menu options.

In addition to the restaurant’s regular menu board, drive-thru customers will now also encounter the “Drive-Thru Diet Menu,” as announced in a press release.  The menu highlights seven items that all consist of nine grams of fat or less.  This group of tacos and burritos all come with Taco Bell’s exclusive blend of diced tomatoes, white onions, and cilantro — Fiesta Salsa — in place of cheese and taco sauce.

Domino’s Ready for Busiest Day of the Year with New Recipe

Image courtesy Domino's Pizza, Inc.

Domino’s Pizza has reportedly stocked its nearly 9,000 locations with extra ingredients and even hired additional workers in preparation for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

According to an official release, the 50-year-old pizza delivery chain expects to sell 2.3 million pizzas between December 31 and January 1.  Domino’s spokesperson Chris Brandon describes these two holidays as ranking highest in sales among the five busiest days of the year for the restaurant.

California Restaurants Face Fines for Using Trans Fat

Image courtesy Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.

A law banning California restaurants from using trans fat in their dishes takes effect on January 1, 2010.

According to an article in The Fresno Bee, California Assembly Bill 97 bans cooking with any oils, margarines, or shortenings that contain more than half a gram of trans fat per serving.  Existing, routine restaurant inspections by county-level public health departments will now account for the new trans fat guidelines.

McDonald’s Japan Unveils Big America Burgers

Image courtesy McDonald's Corporation

Next year, McDonald’s Japan will offer four new sandwiches as part of its Big America menu.

Via Popfi:

“Leave it to the Japanese to make a Hawaiian burger with no Spam or pineapple on it!  Still, while the Japanese might be picking a [non-traditional] format for their American burgers, at least they all have bacon on them.  We can all agree that bacon is the best.”

Subway Tops Franchise 500 for Ninth Time in Ten Years

Image courtesy Entrepreneur Magazine

Entrepreneur Magazine released its annual Franchise 500 list and has named Subway Restaurants best franchise for 2010.

For 31 years, the magazine has published a “Franchise 500” issue, which ranks American franchises across all industries.  Subway has won top honors nine times in the last decade (7-Eleven won in 2008).

For 2010, the issue cites growth (1,833 new restaurants in 2009) and manageable franchisee startup costs (as low as $84,000) as reasons the Connecticut-based sandwich shop continues to dominate the list.

McDonald’s follows Subway at number two, the only other fast-food chain in the top ten.

[SOURCE]

[Subway Franchise Opportunities]