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Sammy’s Woodfired PizzaSammy’s Woodfired Pizza

Southern California upscale pizza chain fuels regional expansion efforts

Lisa Jennings, Executive Editor

July 11, 2011

3 Min Read
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Lisa Jennings

HEADQUARTERS: La Jolla, Calif. 
MARKET SEGMENT: casual dining
MENU: pizza, pasta, salad
NO. OF UNITS: 17
AVERAGE CHECK: $15.50
LEADERSHIP: Sami Ladeki, owner; Tony Kulick, chief financial officer; Mark Augarten, vice president operations
YEAR FOUNDED: 1989
METHOD OF GROWTH: internal funding
COMPETITORS: neighborhood restaurants, California Pizza Kitchen 
TARGET MARKETS: Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Diego County and Las Vegas area
WEBSITE: www.sammyspizza.com

The California economy was not kind to casual-dining concepts during the recession, forcing many chains, including Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza, to put growth on hold. This year, however, the 17-unit San Diego-based Sammy’s is ready to start multiplying again. 


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About the Author

Lisa Jennings

Executive Editor, Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality

Lisa Jennings is executive editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She joined the NRN staff as West Coast editor in 2004 as a veteran journalist. Before joining NRN, she spent 11 years at The Commercial Appeal, the daily newspaper in Memphis, Tenn., most recently as editor of the Food and Health & Wellness sections. Prior experience includes staff reporting for the Washington Business Journal and United Press International.

Lisa’s areas of expertise include coverage of both large public restaurant chains and small independents, the regulatory and legal landscapes impacting the industry overall, as well as helping operators find solutions to run their business better.

Lisa Jennings’ experience:

Executive editor, NRN (March 2020 to present)

Executive editor, Restaurant Hospitality (January 2018 to present)

Senior editor, NRN (September 2004 to March 2020)

Reporter/editor, The Commercial Appeal (1990-2001)

Reporter, Washington Business Journal (1985-1987)

Contact Lisa Jennings at:

[email protected]

@livetodineout

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-jennings-83202510/

 

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