Pizza Schmizza

Pizza Schmizza is an American pizza franchise with 23 locations throughout the Portland, Oregon area, and two in southern Oregon, as well as one in Vancouver, Washington.[1] Pizza Schmizza primarily sells thin crust pizza by the slice.

Pizza Schmizza
IndustryFast food restaurants
FoundedOregon on August 6, 1993 (1993-08-06)
HeadquartersSalem, Oregon
Number of locations
25 restaurants
Key people
Andre Jehan, Roger Jehan
ProductsPizza, salads, soft drinks, beer
Websitewww.schmizza.com and [www.schmizzapublichouse.com]
A Pizza Schmizza delivery bicycle

History
A location in Hillsboro, Oregon

Pizza Schmizza opened its first location on August 6, 1993 in downtown Hillsboro, Oregon by brothers Andre and Roger Jehan.[2]

In 2003, Pizza Schmizza received complaints from an advertising watchdog group for hiring homeless men to hold signs bearing the slogan "Pizza Schmizza paid me to hold this sign instead of asking for money".[3] Owner Andre Jehan countered that this was a way to help the homeless and that the homeless found the arrangement a positive experience.[4]

Pizza Schmizza received a media award from the Oregon Department of Human Services for support of a program discouraging underage alcohol consumption in 2004.[5]

In 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southwest Montgomery Schmizza location received media attention for offering a special which included a roll of toilet paper with every order. The promotion coincided with a national toilet paper shortage that resulted from supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19.[6]

Acquisition by Figaro's Pizza

After CEO Doug Wetter was unable to do his day-to-day job with Pizza Schmizza, the company went into talks with Figaro's Pizza about selling the company. On March 31, 2008, Pizza Schmizza and Figaro's Pizza completed a deal for Figaro's to acquire Pizza Schmizza.[7] Figaro's subsequently spun off the business (December 2014), and the two companies are no longer related.

Schmizza International, the owners of the Pizza Schmizza brand, have opened other restaurants in the Portland area including Bethany Public House and Schmizza Public House (a franchise intended to be an upscale version of Pizza Schmizza).[8][9]

See also

References
  1. Pizza Schmizza - Locations
  2. Goldfield, Robert. Pizza Schmizza ready to take on Puget Sound. Portland Business Journal, August 1, 2003.
  3. CNN.com - Pizza company hires homeless to hold ads - June 17, 2003
  4. Williams, Geoff. Hot Seat: Andre Jehan. Will Work for Food. Entrepreneur. November 2003, Vol. 31 Issue 11, p38.
  5. Oregon DHS: News release January 13, 2004
  6. Ryan, Jim (March 18, 2020). "Dinner and ... toilet paper? Portland pizza joint announces $15 special amid coronavirus outbreak". The Oregonian. Oregonian Media Group. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  7. Rogoway, Mike. Pizza Schmizza sells to Figaro's. The Oregonian, April 8, 2008.
  8. Marum, Anna (August 26, 2014). "Pizza Schmizza founder opens Bethany Public House with burgers, beer... and pizza (virtual tour)". The Oregonian. Oregonian Media Group. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  9. Hammill, Luke (March 17, 2015). "Schmizza Public House, affiliate of Pizza Schmizza, coming to Orenco's Platform District". The Oregonian. Oregonian Media Group. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
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