Following up on the success of its gluten-free
cheese and pepperoni pizzas, launched in January, Uno Chicago Grill is
announcing the launch of its first gluten-free veggie pizza in time for Allergy
and Celiac Disease Awareness Months (May).

Featuring peppers, onions, and mushrooms as toppings, the new gluten-free
veggie pizza will give those suffering from celiac disease or wheat intolerance
or allergy yet another option to enjoy pizza at Uno. Frank W. Guidara, CEO
of Uno Chicago Grill, says the company was encouraged to proceed with the
launch after the gluten-free community responded so passionately to Uno’s
introduction of its cheese and pepperoni gluten-free pizzas earlier this year.

“The best thing about the launch of our gluten-free pizzas was that the
celiac community responded so positively and helped spread the word,”
Guidara says. “Local support groups, online communities, and individuals were
excited about this product and embraced it far beyond our most optimistic
hopes.

In truth, we’ve been overwhelmed by the reception, so we are delighted to
offer yet another option to this under-served audience.”

Uno’s gluten-free pizza crust is prepared in a dedicated gluten-free facility,
whose products are certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization
(www.gfco.org), and is delivered to restaurants frozen in a sealed case, for
immediate placement into freezers. Uno’s gluten-free pizzas are thin crust
and round, making the difference in shape from their oval flatbreads and deep-
dish pizzas striking and unique to the eye.

Uno has offered an extensive gluten-free menu since 2006, with over 20
items ranging from appetizers to entrees, to desserts and beverages. Menu
choices include grilled chicken with mango salsa, lemon basil salmon and
Certified Angus Beef steaks, but the development of gluten-free pizzas took
over a year and a half before the company felt it had the right product.

“Food allergies are a very serious, sometimes life-threatening issue for many
Americans,” says Guidara. “Pizza is our signature product, and we wanted to
offer a gluten-free pizza so all of our guests could enjoy pizza when dining at
Uno. With that in mind, we spent over a year developing a crust that lived
up to the Uno name.”

With 12 million Americans suffering from food allergies, including 2.5 million
school-age children , Uno considers it good business and good corporate
citizenship to offer an ever-expanding gluten-free menu. This commitment is
made all the more compelling by the fact that an estimated 1 in every 133
people has celiac disease.

While awareness of celiac disease is rising, more
than 95 percent of people with the disease remain undiagnosed. Among
people who have a first-degree relative—a parent, sibling, or child—diagnosed
with celiac disease, as many as 1 in 22 people may have the disease.