Pizza Patrón
Pizza Patrón is a United States pizza chain headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Pizza Patrón operates locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and Texas. The chain opens locations in mainly Hispanic neighborhoods, catering primarily to the Hispanic market. In addition to the franchise's 59 locations across the southwest, 40 more are currently under development. The franchise's logo features a Hispanic man's face in a fedora hat (earlier logos did not include a face). The chain's slogan is Más Pizza. Menos Dinero. ("More pizza. Less money." in Spanish).
Pizza Patrón was founded in 1986 by Antonio Swad, of Lebanese and Italian (but not Hispanic) descent. Swad is also known for founding the line of Wing Stop buffalo wing restaurants, which he sold in 2003 to focus on his pizza business. He currently acts as the president of Pizza Patrón, whose director of business development is Guillermo Estrada.
In 2006 the chain introduced its Lista ("ready now") drive-through concept: hot and ready single topping pizzas available by drive-through. This concept was largely responsible for the 34.55% increase in business Pizza Patrón experienced in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2006.[1]
In January 2007, Pizza Patrón announced a new Aceptamos Pesos ("we accept pesos") policy which enabled the chain's customers to pay for pizzas with pesos for a limited time. The move also re-energized the illegal immigration controversy in the United States and caused the chain's Dallas headquarters to receive complaints and death threats.[2] However, it also created publicity for the chain, garnering media attention from several outlets (including The Colbert Report), and is expected to spark interest and revenue for the company. In fact, after the first week of the promotion, one owner reported that he took in about 15,000 pesos at his two southern California branches, accounting for roughly 20% of his profits.[3]