After 10 years of franchising, Pizza Patrón announced that it is suspending its franchise program indefinitely. The company will continue development with some of its existing franchise partners, but will concentrate its growth focus on building company owned stores.
Company officials say the decision was made to ensure high company standards from store to store – the standards of operation, the quality of the products and service, improved marketing execution, and more efficient policing of Pizza Patrón’s branding and trademarks.
“We are proven and successful operators of the Pizza Patrón model,” says Antonio Swad, founder of Pizza Patrón. “I think we understand how to maximize its potential better than most.”
Swad went on to point out the value of successfully growing a brand and owning a unique position in the marketplace – that great branding always reveals a company’s personality and makes a promise that it must strive to fulfill with every customer experience.
Pizza Patrón gained notoriety and international media attention for its non-traditional approach to marketing its products. In 2007, Pizza Patrón launched “Pizza Por Pesos” allowing customers to pay for their pizza using Mexican pesos, making the brand a flashpoint in the nation’s debate over immigrants. More recently, Pizza Patrón reaped national news coverage for its “Pizza Por Favor” promotion that rewarded customers with free pizza if they ordered in Spanish.
“As Pizza Patrón moves ahead, we will continue to sharpen our brand and increase its relevance in the marketplace,” Swad explains.
Swad acknowledges that going forward, the company will also consider entering into certain licensing agreements with companies that have access to special outlets like national grocery chains, major food services corporations, airport locations, college and university campuses, and hospitals.
