Pizza Pizza is kicking off its expansion into British Columbia in the Royal City.
The company, which operates more than 750 locations across Canada, recently opened its first B.C. location in uptown New West. The New Westminster Pizza Pizza opened at 527 Sixth St. on July 10.
"New West was selected as of one of the initial locations of our B.C. market entry because of its ideal location that can service both our dine-in and take-out customers in the area,” said from Philip Goudreau, senior vice-president of operations and development at Pizza Pizza Limited. “Based off of our market research, we thought that the family-oriented, yet business feel of New West would be the perfect location for our first Pizza Pizza restaurant in B.C."
The opening in New Westminster marks the start of the pizza franchise’s expansion across Greater Vancouver, where locations are slated in Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey in 2018 and 2019.
“We’re very excited about this next step in Pizza Pizza’s national expansion,” said CEO Paul Goddard in a news release. “we know how much British Columbians love their pizza so we have big plans for the West Coast, and are looking to build significant market presence in the Greater Vancouver area, and beyond, in the coming years.”
For more info, visit www.pizzapizza.ca.
Pizza biz celebrates grand opening
And still on the topic of pizza, Morgan Ruff is hoping seven is a lucky number for Pappa Leo’s.
The 21-year-old Coquitlam resident had worked at Pappa Leo’s in Port Coquitlam for four years when the company owners offered him the opportunity to purchase the New Westminster location. He recently held a grand opening celebration of the Pappa Leo’s seventh restaurant at 102-450 East Columbia St.
“I did not hesitate,” he said in an email to the Record. “This experience is very exciting and educational. I am putting in 12 hour days every day, seven days a week. I am meeting lots of new people, and New West is definitely my home away from home.”
Ruff is a 2015 graduate of Dr. Charles Best Secondary School, where he enjoyed marketing and business classes. Aside from two classes at BCIT, he had no business-related experience before opening the seventh Pappa Leo’s franchise in Sapperton last June.
“Our pizza is cheesier, meatier, thicker and tastier,” he said, when asked what makes Pappa Leo’s pizza different from other restaurants.
Cartwright wins award
Cartwright Jewelers Ltd. recently picked up some hardware from the Canadian Jewelry Group.
The New West business, which has been family owned and operated since opening in the Royal City in 1933, was named Western Canadian Retailer of the Year by the Canadian Jewelry Group, which consists of 121 stores across Canada. Owner Susan Cartwright Coates said it’s beneficial to have a forum where she can exchange ideas and information with her peers.
“The award was given at our annual AGM which is held in Toronto. The award is comprised of several factors, participation with the other members, support of our suppliers, attending the AGM, educational seminars and buying show,” she said in an email to the Record. “It is a great honour to be recognized within the jewellery industry, for what I do is truly a passion to me.”
