Pizza, Por Favor
24 July 2012One-third of the nation’s population 19 years old and younger is expected to be Latino by 2015. A Dallas-based pizza chain is already preparing for the slew of new customers.
In 2010, the Census Bureau reported that for every nine births among Hispanics, there was one death, compared to a roughly 1-1 ratio among whites. Experts have predicted that today’s young and expanding Hispanic population is a precursor of what mainstream America will look like tomorrow. With this continuing cultural shift, Dallas-based Pizza Patrón projects a doubling of its store count over the next three years.
“Mainstream culture in America is changing due to Hispanic growth and influence,” says franchising manager Victor Vazquez. “We feel fortunate to be the leading Hispanic pizza brand, and we are very proud of our brand focus. We will continue to use our platform to empower the Latino voice in the U.S. and to fuel our company's expansion.”
Pizza Patrón has promoted the relevancy of Latinos in America with cultural concepts such as '’Pizza Por Pesos’ and, recently, ‘Pizza Por Favor.’ The chain has prime development opportunities available in small and large markets throughout the United States as well as international development opportunities in Mexico, Central and South America, Vazquez says.
“There is a very specific candidate that we look for as a franchise partner,” Vazquez said. “First and foremost, we look for someone that is committed to serving the Hispanic community—someone with a passion to be a positive force of change in the local community around each store.” The chain also seeks single-unit owners who have experience in the restaurant business and who live, or plan to live, in the community they will serve.
With 104 locations in seven states and more than 80 under development, Pizza Patrón locates in predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods. Since 1986, Pizza Patrón has been committed to making its promise of “Más Pizza. Menos Dinero.®” a reality for every customer. From the beginning, the brand has been recognized for its fresh-dough pizza, low prices and trademark friendly, bicultural service.
In 2007, the company drew international media attention with its PIZZA POR PESOS® program when it began accepting Mexican pesos at all of its restaurants. In 2012, the company's PIZZA POR FAVOR™ promotion that gave free pizzas to anyone who ordered in Spanish sparked international news coverage and lively debate throughout the United States.
For more information on the company visit www.pizzapatron.com or follow Pizza Patrón on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pizzapatron or Twitter at www.twitter.com/pizzapatron .
Photo: Pizza Patrón’s La Mexicana pizza sports chorizo, ground beef, onion, green bell pepper and jalapeño.