DALLAS Pizza Patron, operator or franchisor of 60 pizzerias serving the Latino market, said fourth-quarter same-store sales surged on average 34.6 percent over the same period of a year earlier.
The increase in sales was driven by its “Lista,” or ready-now whole pies and snacks; drive-thru windows; and improvements in unit-level operations, the privately owned company said.
The Lista program, which started in fiscal 2006, offers large pepperoni pizzas and 8-piece Fiesta Wings for $4.99. Before adding the Lista pizzas, Pizza Patron noted the success that Little Caesars had enjoyed with its similar Hot and Ready pies.
Antonio Swad, Pizza Patron’s founder and president said in a statement that the fourth-quarter results “are going to be hard to continue as we grow, but speak to the relevancy of the Pizza Patron brand.” The chain’s units are based in Spanish speaking or predominately Hispanic neighborhoods, and there are more than 40 additional locations under development, the company said.
The fourth-quarter results were not aided by the chain’s “Pizza por Pesos” initiative, which was launched systemwide this month, and allows for payment to be made in pesos.
