Who Owns Cici’S Pizza?

The Arlon Group has acquired the pizza buffet chain Cicis, the company said Wednesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Senior management, led by Cicis CEO Darin Harris, will remain with the Coppell, Texas-based operator, which has 440 locations in 33 states.
Cicis was acquired by Arlon Group in 2016 and currently has approximately 430 restaurants in 31 states.

Who is the owner of Cici’s pizza?

Joe Croce, founder, CiCi’s Pizza. ‘I was sitting there with a knot in my stomach when the announcement was made,’ said Williamson, formerly the chief operating officer at Pizza Hut in the 1990s, and a franchisee with Huston of 31 Applebee’s restaurants.

Is CICI’s pizza still in Business 2020?

A CiCi’s Pizza restaurant in Brooklyn, Ohio in February 2013. This location closed in 2020. Cicis was founded in 1985 by Joe Croce and Mike Cole in Plano, Texas. In 2001, with 363 restaurants at the time, the chain expanded its buffet offerings and began remodeling restaurants.

How many restaurants does Cicis have?

Cicis was founded in 1985 by Joe Croce and Mike Cole in Plano, Texas. In 2001, with 363 restaurants at the time, the chain expanded its buffet offerings and began remodeling restaurants.

Was Cici’s sale an inside deal?

CiCi’s Pizza founder insisted sale be an inside deal. When CiCi’s Pizza franchisees learned founder Joe Croce was selling the company, a wave of uncertainty gripped franchisee Pat Williamson.

Why did Cici’s Pizza close?

Slow business was the reason given for closure. “Business wasn’t going as well as they anticipated,” Rosales said. “They weren’t getting the traffic they needed.” But loyal customers, who noticed immediately on Monday that the eatery was mysteriously closed, claim there were always cars filling CiCi’s parking lot.

Who invented Cicis pizza?

Cicis was founded in 1985 by Joe Croce and Mike Cole in Plano, Texas. In 2001, with 363 restaurants at the time, the chain expanded its buffet offerings and began remodeling restaurants. Four years later, Cicis had more than 500 locations, and was the fastest-growing pizza chain in the United States.

What does Cicis stand for?

CICIS

Acronym	Definition
CICIS	Chemicals in Commerce Information System

Did Cicis pizza close down?

Cici’s files for bankruptcy as pandemic accelerates the decline of the all-you-can-eat buffet. Cici’s has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced its sale to D&G Investors. The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the downfall of all-you-can-eat buffets.

Where did Cicis pizza get its name?

Joe Croce and Mike Cole opened their first pizza joint in Plano, Texas in 1985, using the name Cici’s because both their names started with the letter C. (Contrary to popular belief, they never left the pizza business to open a music factory.)

When was Cicis founded?

Hi, welcome to Cicis!

In 1985, Cicis opened its doors for the very first time in Plano, Texas – and just like that, the Original home of all the pizza, pasta, salad, and desserts you can eat was born.

How big is Cicis large pizza?

Medium pizza of 12 inches (30.5 cm) in diameter. Large pizza of 14 inches (35.5 cm) in diameter. Extra-large pizza of 16 to 18 inches (40.5 – 46 cm) in diameter.

Cicis acquired by Arlon Group

Quick Service″ data-pterm=″Quick Service″ data-pterm=″Quick Service″ data-sterm=″Mergers & Acquisitions″ data-program=″″ data-tax=″Quick Service|Mergers & Acquisitions″ data-buyersjourney=″″ data-ext=″″ data-author=″Jonathan Maze″ data-pub=″Sept.7, 2016″ data-ext=″″ data-author=″Jonathan Maze″ data-pub=″Sept.7, 2016″ data-visibility=″visible″ data-permission=″public″ data-pid=″289ac174-2fa8-4054-a6cd-0ae430cd60a6″ data-contentsponsor=″″ data-content=″″ data-content=″″ data-contentsponsor=″″ data-content=″″ The fourth year of a redevelopment strategy is underway for a pizza buffet franchise.Cicis, a pizza buffet business, has been bought by the Arlon Group, according to the company’s announcement on Wednesday.The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Senior management, led by Cicis CEO Darin Harris, will continue to work for the Coppell, Texas-based company, which has 440 facilities in 33 different states.According to Harris, ″Arlon is a great financial partner who will assist us in maintaining the momentum we’ve created, accelerating our growth, and fortifying our rejuvenation approach.″ ″Arlon offers to Cici a wealth of knowledge and experience gained through its substantial investments in the food and agriculture industries.″ A rehabilitation strategy guided by Harris, who has been CEO of Cicis since 2013, is now in its fourth year of execution.Since 2009, the number of units has decreased by around 200 sites.According to the Nation’s Restaurant News Top 100, system sales were around $440 million last year, a minor decrease from the previous year due to the company’s decision to close a few locations.

Under Harris’ leadership, same-store sales have increased for 13 consecutive quarters, and Cicis just reported that it had the highest six-week stretch in company history for sales this summer.The firm concentrated on enhancing the quality of the cuisine and adding more premium products to the buffets.In addition, a new prototype was introduced.Cicis is on the verge of doubling its unit expansion, as the firm has inked development agreements for 70 additional restaurants in 50 different regions worldwide.Managing principle Ben Fishman of Arlon said in a statement that Cicis is a ″growing brand with an outstanding heritage as an inexpensive, pleasant, family-friendly restaurant that delivers a broad choice of high-quality pizzas and more.″ In the words of the firm’s focused, high-caliber management team, ″the company has been put on a course that is yielding consistent, good outcomes.″ Arlon has a long history in the restaurant and hospitality business.Investments in the food and agricultural industries are the primary emphasis of the New York-based investment group, which also has a significant presence in Latin America.

• It presently owns K-Mac Holdings Corp., which is situated in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and is a major franchisee of Taco Bell, KFC, and Golden Corral restaurants.
• Apart from that, Arlon has stakes in a number of other food and agricultural businesses.
• Contact Jonathan Maze at the following address: Jonathan Maze may be found on Twitter at @jonathanmaze.

CiCi’s Pizza founder insisted sale be an inside deal

Though courted by investors and chain operators, Joe Croce, the company’s founder, refused to sell to outsiders who were unfamiliar with his product or business model.When CiCi’s Pizza franchisees discovered that founder Joe Croce was selling the firm, a wave of anxiety washed over them.Pat Williamson, a CiCi’s franchisee, felt the same way.Franchisees discovered that the six-person management team that is now running the firm will become the company’s sole owner on July 1 at the self-service buffet chain’s February franchisee convention in Biloxi, Miss.Croce, the company’s 44-year-old CEO, is selling the 420-store enterprise in order to spend more time with his wife and two children, according to the company.

In 2002, Williamson and partners Allan Huston and Larry Zwain signed a contract with CiCi’s to create 100 CiCi’s buffet units throughout Colorado, making them the company’s largest area developers.Croce, the company’s dynamic boss, was one of the factors that made CiCi’s an appealing option, according to Williams.He was beginning to wonder if things would be the same without such a dynamic leader at the helm.

Joe Croce, founder, CiCi’s Pizza

It was announced while Williamson was sitting in the audience with a knot in his stomach, recalls the former chief operating officer of Pizza Hut in the 1990s and a franchisee with Huston who owns 31 Applebee’s stores.″However, when I spoke with other long-term franchisees, they stated that they did not experience a knot in their stomachs.″While they adore Joe, they didn’t believe we would skip a beat,″ said the family.George Brown, who has been operating a CiCi’s franchise in the Dallas region since 1991, was one of the franchisees that persuaded Williams not to be concerned.Brown claims that dozens of other franchisees who attended the conference requested his advice on the sale and all received the same response.

‘I assured them that I had absolutely no worries,’ said Brown, who owns and operates five businesses.It’s clear to me that Joe has begun something wonderful, and he has left it in excellent hands.In addition, when Williamson realized that the sale price (which has not been publicized) was kept low in order to make the new owners’ debt load manageable, his confidence in the transaction increased.Williamson was concerned that a significant financial load would divert the company’s attention away from its core goods and services.

According to Williamson, Joe has surrounded himself with ″great individuals″ from the top to the bottom.The team is convinced that they will take us to the next level and beyond as a consequence of this.Croce was unavailable for comment on the sale, according to vice president of marketing Joe Flanigan, because he was on a flight – not to a tropical destination for a celebratory vacation, but to Memphis and then Nashville to inspect new CiCi’s locations.Croce was unavailable for comment on the sale, according to Flanigan.According to Flanigan, one of the six soon-to-be owners, ″it shows you where he is in his world.″ ″There’s no one over here smoking a big cigar or making tee time arrangements.″ Joe isn’t much better.The fact is, we’re an industrious, fast-moving corporation with an entrepreneurial culture, and we don’t plan to let that get in the way of our ability to pay for this thing.″ It took six months to complete the project.

• The CEO of Flanigan claimed Croce surprised his senior team six months ago when he urged them to explore purchasing CiCi’s Restaurant.
• During one of their routine quarterly assessments, the team asked Croce, who is focused on achieving his goals, to define his vision for the company for the next three years.
• His response was simple: ″’Well, as long as you’re asking the question, what are your thoughts on this?″ he replied to us.
• Flanigan has been recalled.
• ″We were completely taken aback.″ But then we responded, ‘All right, that’s OK.’″ Croce informed the staff that he had been approached by a number of quick-service restaurant operators and other investors about the possibility of selling the firm, but that he had decided not to proceed.

1. The firm’s president, Flanigan, stated that Croce did not want his company to be acquired by outsiders who may disrupt the CiCi’s model or fail to value the bonds he had built with employees and franchisees.
2. Despite this, the prospect of selling the firm remained a constant in his mind, particularly because he wished to devote his time to being a full-time husband and father to his 6-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.
3. Selling the chain to the folks who were already in charge appeared to be the most advantageous alternative.
4. CiCi’s Pizza is a family-owned and operated business.
5. Founded: 1985 Coppell, Texas is the headquarters.
6. Joe Croce is the founder and president of the company.

Age: 44 years old In 2002, sales totaled $315 million.Stores: 420, with 24 corporate and 396 franchised locations.Locations: 20 states in the Southeastern United States Format: $3.99 all-you-can-eat buffet with self-service options.In general, stores are 4,000 square feet in size and have an average of 180 seating.According to Flanigan, Croce’s sale price was ″inexplicably low.″ ″There’s no doubt he could have received more for it,″ Flanigan said of Croce’s purchase price.″It just goes to show you what kind of a man he is.″ Croce is known for being generous by many.

Flanigan claims Croce has told him that he will donate 20 percent of the revenues from the sale of CiCi’s to Gateway Christian, a South Lake, Texas, church where Croce is a member.Croce has not responded to Flanigan’s request for comment.It’s also worth listening to George Brown’s account of how Croce lent him the money he needed to open his first CiCi’s location in 1991.Brown worked as a technician for a restaurant equipment maintenance firm, and he was responsible for maintaining the hardware at CiCi’s original location.Brown had a life-changing glimpse of CiCi’s potential when he was called to fix an oven on a busy Friday night – particularly, Brown’s wedding anniversary – while on the job.

1. When Brown arrived at the venue, ″there were people queued up outside the doors to get in; it was overwhelming to behold,″ he recounted.
2. In the middle of the night, I told Joe, ‘You know, one of these days, I’d like to crack open one of these.’ When I told him, he looked at me and said, ‘The day you want to do it, I’ll be here to help you.’″ That man lent me $146,000 dollars without requiring me to sign a contract, despite the fact that I am a married father of four earning $35,000 per year.
3. ″It was a contract sealed with a handshake.″ According to Brown, Croce’s kindness extends to others as well, and Croce’s devotion to people has helped CiCi’s grow into a great firm in a very short period of time.
4. Croce’s goodwill, Brown asserts, extends to others as well.
5. Williamson concurs with this statement.

• The sign outside our businesses reads CiCi’s Pizza, as he explained in the beginning of his speech.
• I, on the other hand, am convinced that we are not in the pizza business.
• We are in the business of dealing with people.
• That is exactly how Joe has structured his organization.

That is the way things are done around here.″ Players on a team The five members of the executive team who will purchase the company, in addition to Flanigan, are Craig Moore, vice president of operations (who will take over as president of CiCi after the sale), Robert Kulick, president of JMC Restaurant Distribution, CiCi’s purchasing and distribution arm; Forbes Anderson, chief financial officer for both CiCi’s and JMC Distribution; Robert Grosshuesch, vice president of training; and Robert Parent, vice president of development

‘I had a knot in my gut when the news was made,’ said Williamson, who worked as the chief operating officer of Pizza Hut in the 1990s and is a franchisee with Huston who owns a total of 31 Applebee’s locations.’However, when I spoke with other long-term franchisees, they all stated that they were not experiencing any stomach knots.″ We were not going to skip a beat, despite the fact that they adored Joe.George Brown, who has been operating a CiCi’s franchise in the Dallas region since 1991, was one of the franchisees that persuaded Williams not to be frightened.In addition to Brown, hundreds of other franchisees attended the meeting and all asked for his opinion on the sale, which Brown stated was the same.According to Brown, who owns five businesses, ″I assured them I had no worries at all.″ It’s clear to me that Joe has begun something wonderful, and he has placed it in excellent hands.

Upon learning that the sale price (which has not been revealed) was intentionally kept low in order to make the debt load of the new owners manageable, Williamson’s confidence in the transaction increased.Williamson concerned that a significant financial load would divert the company’s attention away from its core goods and services if it became too large.″From the top to the bottom, Joe has surrounded himself with exceptional individuals,″ Williamson added.The team is certain that they will take us to the next level and beyond as a consequence of their efforts.

As Vice President of Marketing Joe Flanigan said, Croce could not comment on the sale because he was on his way to Memphis and then Nashville to check new CiCi’s locations – not a tropical destination for a celebratory vacation, but to inspect new CiCi’s locations in Memphis and Nashville.According to Flanigan, one of the six new owners, ″it shows you where his world is.″ ″There’s no one over here smoking a big cigar or making tee time arrangements.″ In addition, Joe is not.We’re a hardworking, fast-moving firm with an entrepreneurial attitude, and we don’t want to lose a single ounce of that when we begin to pay for this thing,″ says the CEO.Worked on for six months Six months ago, Flanigan claimed Croce surprised his executive team by asking them to consider purchasing CiCi’s.At one of their quarterly meetings, the team asked Croce, who is focused on setting goals, to define his vision for the next three years.

• Croce responded enthusiastically.
• ″It was as though he spun around to face us and asked, ‘How would you people feel about anything like this?’″ A recall has been issued for Flanigan Inc.
• The two of us were really taken aback.″ ‘All right,’ we said after a brief deliberation.
• When asked if he was interested in selling the firm, Croce said that he had been approached by certain quick-service restaurant players and other investors.
• The firm’s president, Flanigan, stated that Croce did not want his company to be acquired by outsiders who may disrupt the CiCi’s model or fail to value the bonds he had built with employees and franchise owners.

1. He couldn’t shake the concept of selling the firm, especially because he wished to devote his time to being a full-time husband and father to his two children, ages six and three.
2. A sale to the persons in charge of the chain appeared to be the most advantageous alternative.
3. Pizzeria CiCi’s Founded: 1985 Coppell, Texas is where the headquarters are located.
4. Joe Croce is the company’s founder and president.
5. 44 years of age $315 million in sales in 2002 396 franchise stores out of a total of 420 stores.
6. There are 20 states in the Southeastern United States where this is happening.

Self-service buffet with unlimited food is available for $3.99 per person.In general, stores are 4,000 square feet in size and have an average of 180 seats.In terms of Croce’s sale price, Flanigan stated, ″there’s no doubt he could have gotten more for it, but he didn’t.″ This demonstrates the character of the man.″ Croce is seen as generous by many.The owner of CiCi’s, Flanigan claimed, has told him that Croce has agreed to donate 20% of the proceeds from the sale of CiCi’s to Gateway Christian, a church in South Lake, Texas, where Croce attends services.George Brown’s account of how Croce lent him the money he needed to open his first CiCi’s store in 1991 is also worth reading in its entirety.CiCi’s initial store’s hardware was serviced by Brown, who worked as a technician for a restaurant equipment maintenance firm.

Brown had a life-changing glimpse of CiCi’s potential when he was called to fix an oven on a busy Friday night – especially Brown’s wedding anniversary.When Brown arrived at the venue, ″there were people queued up outside the doors to get in; it was overwhelming to witness,″ he said.In the middle of the night, I told Joe, ‘You know, one of these days, I’d want to open one of these.’″ In that moment, he looked me in the eyes, saying, ‘The day you want to accomplish it, I’ll help you.’″ In the absence of a contract, that individual borrowed me $146,000 dollars while I was a married father of four earning $35,000 per year.There were no contracts; it was all done on a handshake.″ According to Brown, Croce’s goodness extends to others as well, and Croce’s devotion to people has helped CiCi’s grow into a great firm in a very short amount of time.Croce’s kindness, Brown asserts, does not end with him.

1. The same may be said of Williamson.
2. The sign outside our businesses reads CiCi’s Pizza, as he explained in the beginning of the speech.
3. We are not in the pizza business, however, and I am certain of it.″ It is our business to serve people.
4. The way Joe has structured this business is as follows.
5. The way things are done around here,″ she says.

• Individuals that contribute to the team The five members of the executive team who will purchase the company, in addition to Flanigan, are Craig Moore, vice president of operations (who will take over as president of CiCi after the sale), Robert Kulick, president of JMC Restaurant Distribution, CiCi’s purchasing and distribution arm; Forbes Anderson, chief financial officer for both CiCi’s and JMC Distribution; Robert Grosshuesch, vice president of training; and Robert Parent, vice president of development.

Why is CiCi’s pizza so cheap?

By offering low-quality packaged food, Cici’s is able to keep their pricing low. At the restaurant, the food is only cooked to a certain temperature. It is cooked elsewhere, at a food processing factory rather than in a home or restaurant kitchen. The fact that the meal is just cooked at the restaurant means that they do not require any specialized staff.

Why is CiCis going out of business?

After the pandemic curtailed in-person eating, CiCi’s Holdings Inc., the parent business of the endless pizza buffet restaurant, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. According to court documents, on-site eating has generally accounted for more than 85 percent of total sales at CiCi’s locations in the past.

How much does it cost to open a CiCi’s Pizza franchise?

Cost of a CiCi’s Pizza Franchise / Initial Investment / Cost of a CiCi’s Pizza Franchise The Cici’s Pizza franchise fee is $30,000 (and $25,00 for each additional store), with the total first investment ranging from $446,000 to $715,000. The total initial investment varies from $446,000 to $715,000.

What does CiCis stand for?

CICIS

Acronym	Definition
CICIS	Chemicals in Commerce Information System

Is CiCi’s Pizza any good?

The pizza is only mediocre at best, but the desserts are excellent, and it is quite inexpensive and provides plenty of food for a large group of people. It has a special place in my heart because of the memories I have made there with my family. If you’re looking for high-quality pizza, search elsewhere. Cici’s is the place to go if you want to develop a fondness for Ellio’s.

Is CiCi’s Pizza healthy?

CiCi’s cheese pizza has 100 calories per slice, which is equivalent to one serving. 4.5 grams of total fat are included therein, 2.5 grams of which are saturated fat, and 190 milligrams of sodium. Eating one slice of pizza and one little cinnamon bun on occasion is unlikely to have a negative impact on your health — even if it is a small quantity for a pizza buffet!

Is Cicis still a buffet?

Approximately 100 calories per slice of CiCi’s cheese pizza. There are 4.5 grams of total fat, 2.5 grams of which are saturated fat, and 190 milligrams of sodium in this serving size. Although it is a modest quantity when it comes to a pizza buffet, eating one slice of pizza and one small cinnamon bun every now and then will not harm your health.

Did Cici’s Pizza file for bankruptcies?

Cicis Pizza emerged from bankruptcy protection last week, less than two months after filing for Chapter 11 protection. The company now has new owners and is hoping that consumers will return to the dine-in service in which it specialized prior to the influenza epidemic. As part of a loan agreement, the Irving, Texas-based chain was sold to D&G Investors.

Does Cicis still have pasta?

All of this and more is available at Cicis Unlimited Pizza Buffet, which also includes our delectable sides. Do you want some spaghetti with your pizza? All of this and more is available at Cicis Unlimited Pizza Buffet, which also includes our delectable sides.

Which pizza franchise is the best?

The Best Pizza Franchises to Invest in for 2021

1. In 2021, the best pizza franchises will emerge.

Can you franchise Cicis pizza?

With a franchise fee of up to $30,000 and an initial investment ranging from $222,500 to $1,080,100, Cici’s Pizza is a lucrative business opportunity.

How do I get a Pizza Hut franchise?

Having enough liquid funds to purchase a Pizza Hut franchise will need you to have at least $360,000 in your account. It is expected that franchisees would make a total investment of $500,000 – $150,000. They also provide financing options.

What is Cici in Italian?

Garbanzo beans are a kind of chickpea (US)

What states is Cici’s Pizza in?

• 302 Locations of Cicis The United States of America Alabama (12), Arkansas (7), Colorado (2), Florida (27), Georgia (12), Illinois (2), and Louisiana (2).

Cicis Names New CEO

William M.Mitchell, a veteran industry executive, has been appointed to oversee the expanding pizza buffet business.IRVING, Texas (May 8, 2018) — The city of Irving, Texas, has a new mayor.″Bill″ Mitchell has been selected as the new CEO of Cicis, the nation’s top pizza buffet restaurant noted for its limitless pizza, pasta, salad, and dessert buffet.Mitchell previously served as the president of Cicis.

Mitchell has served as the company’s temporary CEO since January and was appointed to the position on a permanent basis in March.Preceding his current position, he worked as the president of Dunkin’ Brands International at Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc.and Dunkin’ Donuts LLC, where he was in charge of almost 8,500 Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins locations in more than 60 countries across the world.In addition to his previous positions at Papa John’s International, where he most recently served as president of global operations, and AFC Enterprises (Popeyes Restaurants), where he was responsible for the business planning and operation of 1,400 franchise locations, he has extensive experience as an entrepreneur and business executive.

Managing Director Ben Fishman of Arlon said, ″Bill has a proven track record as a leader of major franchise systems, with a focus on enhancing operations, customer service, and overall business growth.″ ″We have complete faith in his ability to further enhance and improve Cicis in significant ways for our strategic partners and, most importantly, for our visitors.″ Cicis was bought by the Arlon Group in 2016, and the company today operates roughly 430 restaurants in 31 states, according to the company.Since then, the company has witnessed strong revenue growth as well as general improvements in guest happiness and food quality, and it expects to maintain its momentum under Mitchell’s leadership in the future.″This is an exciting moment to join the Cicis team because, while the system has progressed significantly, there is still so much more we can do to become stronger operators, provide greater service to our customers, and expand the business,″ Mitchell said.″My first priority is to get out into the field and visit with our franchisees, as well as listen to their suggestions for how we can improve how we do things at Cicis.″ Mitchell takes over for Darin Harris, who stepped down as CEO in January after taking a new position in another company.Concerning Cicis When Cicis Pizza opened its first location in Irving, Texas, in 1983, it was hailed as the world’s first Unlimited Pizza Buffet, serving a wide variety of pizzas, including both traditional and flatbread varieties.The company also offers pasta dishes, salads, and desserts for dine-in, carry-out, and catering.

• Cicis, which has more than 430 locations in 32 states, has been voted No.
• 1 in Technomic’s ″most craveable pizza chains,″ and Entrepreneur magazine named Cicis to its Franchise 500 list in 2015.
• Cicis may be found online at cicis.com and on Facebook at Facebook.com/cicis for additional information.
• In order to obtain more information about franchising, you can contact Michael Iglesias at [email protected] or 972-745-9313, or you can go to franchise.cicis.com.
• Nikki Richardson or Alvin Jordan may be reached at [email protected] or [email protected] or by phone at 817-329-3257.

Cicis Pizza quickly emerges from bankruptcy with new owners

FinancingThe pizza buffet restaurant, which is now controlled by a group of operators that have transformed themselves into brand owners, has shuttered a fourth of its sites.Photograph courtesy of Shutterstock Cicis Pizza emerged from bankruptcy protection last week, less than two months after filing for Chapter 11 protection.The company now has new owners and is hoping that consumers will return to the dine-in service in which it specialized prior to the influenza epidemic.As part of a loan agreement, the Irving, Texas-based chain was sold to D&G Investors.It was created by SSCP Management, an Applebee’s franchisee, and Gala Capital Partners, the owner of the Mooyah Burgers restaurant chain.

It bought Cicis’ $82 million in debt prior to the filing of the lawsuit and converted that debt into stock during the selling process.They will be taking on a brand that is far smaller than it was before to the outbreak, and that was already decreasing before the pandemic began.At the end of 2019, Cicis had just over 300 sites, which is roughly 25 percent fewer than it had at the end of the previous year and nearly half the number of locations it had at its height in 2009.According to statistics from Restaurant Business sister firm Technomic, sales of Cicis systems had declined on average by 2.4 percent in the five years prior to the pandemic.

The new owners, on the other hand, think that the operators who are in charge of the brand are in good form.They hope that, with new owners and a changed financing structure, the brand will be able to swiftly return to where it was when the economy returns to normal.According to Chris Dharod, a principal of SSCP along with Sunil and Puja Dharod, ″the methodology is still effective.″ ″We are fans of the brand.The economics are appealing to us.″The franchisees are successful entrepreneurs in their own right.″ SSCP and Gala have already taken on well-known brands.Bloomin’ Brands sold the Roy’s Restaurant business to SSCP in 2014, and the two companies have been working together since then.

• A consortium of investors, including Gala Capital, invested in the acquisition of Mooyah in 2017.
• Following years of turmoil, both chains looked to have found their footing in 2019.
• Cicis will benefit from the new owners’ capacity to enhance unit-level economics, according to the new owners.
• As a result, they feel that their previous experience as franchisees will be beneficial, especially given that Cicis is primarily a franchised business.
• According to Anand Gala, managing partner of Gala Capital Partners, ″Chris, Sunil, and I are franchisee-focused CEOs who share very similar ideas in how we nurture and build franchise systems.″ Gala Capital Partners is a private equity firm that invests in and develops franchise systems.

1. ″We are committed to ensuring the long-term success of our franchisees on a regional and local level.″ Furthermore, according to Gala, the new owners see ″an immense opportunity to utilise the established business model Cicis now has and improve on it in order to extend the franchise system to its full potential.″ Customers have increasingly turned to delivery services to supplement their pizza consumption, causing dine-in pizza shops to struggle in recent years, in general.
2. During the epidemic, this increased in speed.
3. Same-store sales at Pizza Inn, another buffet chain, fell by as much as 39 percent last year, according to company data.
4. In the final three months of 2020, they were still down 18 percent from the previous year.
5. Pizza Hut, which was once primarily a dine-in establishment, has been rapidly shutting those locations and replacing them with delivery and takeout facilities.
6. It is possible for Cicis to capitalize on its value proposition—its buffet is typically $6—while betting on a return of consumers to its dine-in service.

In order to get consumers back into their establishments when restrictions loosen following the epidemic, some typically dine-in companies are banking on ″pent-up demand.″ ″We don’t expect COVID will be around forever,″ Chris Dharod stated.″COVID will no longer exist.The business will revert to its previous state.″Members contribute to the success of our journalism.″ Become a Restaurant Business member now to take advantage of special perks, such as unrestricted access to all of our content and discounts on products and services.Please register here.

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CICIS

In its admission, Cicis acknowledges that the intrusion took place more than a month after KrebsOnSecurity first reported on it.Cicis claimed in a statement that the restaurant chain got reports from some of its sites in early March 2016 that their POS systems were not functioning correctly.The 12th of September, 2016 – Cicis, a pizza buffet restaurant company situated in Coppell, Texas, has been bought by Arlon Group, a food and agricultural investment organization based in New York City, according to the company.Cicis was the first company to provide an Unlimited Pizza Buffet, and the company has grown to more than 440 locations in 33 states since its foundation in 1985.Cicis was sentenced to five years and four months in prison at Derby Crown Court after admitting to burglary in which a victim was subjected to physical abuse.

″Cicis had left his fingerprints at the scene, and we were able to identify him through his DNA on a cigarette that was later discovered inside the stolen bag,″ Detective Sergeant Steve Shaw of Derbyshire Police said.New York, NY, February 24, 2011 -(PR.com)- New York, NY, February 24, 2011 -(PR.com)- It was reported today by BoeFly, the foremost online marketplace linking lenders with business borrowers, that CiCi’s Pizza, an award-winning pizza franchise, has chosen the company’s online marketplace to aid its franchisees in getting bank financing.CiCi’s serves a never-ending buffet of fresh salad, tasty pasta, delectable desserts, and hot-from-the-oven pizzas at a reasonable price at locations all around the United States.CiCi’s Pizza, a family-dining restaurant company established in the United States, has announced a franchise extension in the city of Phoenix, Arizona.

‘For more than 25 years, CiCi’s has been offering its quality, made fresh daily pizza buffet, and we’re delighted to expand our footprint in Phoenix,’ said Jim Sheahan, the company’s head of franchise sales.

Cici’s files for bankruptcy as pandemic accelerates the decline of the all-you-can-eat buffet

A Cici’s Pizza restaurant in the Florida city of Buena Vista.Photo by John Greim via LightRocket/Getty Images Cici’s Buffet has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and stated that it will be sold to D&G Investors, the company’s major lender, as part of the process.As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, sales at pizza franchises such as Papa John’s, Domino’s Pizza, and Yum Brands’ Pizza Hut have increased, whilst sales at buffet-style restaurants such as Cici’s have decreased.All-you-can-eat restaurants were already faltering prior to the crisis, but the tightening of eating limitations and consumers’ increased concern about cleanliness hastened the enterprises’ demise.There are 318 Cici’s locations in 26 states in the United States, which are operated by the company and its franchisees.

It has more than 650 restaurants in 2010 according to the company.Cici’s stated in bankruptcy documents on Monday that company has assets ranging between $10 million and $50 million and liabilities ranging between $50 million and $100 million.Weingarten Realty Investors and Saputo Cheese were the company’s two largest debtors.According to the trade newspaper Restaurant Business, D&G Investors bought $82 million in debt from Cici in December.

It revamped in 2015, omitting the word ″Pizza″ from its moniker in an attempt to bring attention to the company’s other menu offerings.It was purchased by the Arlon Group, an investment business that specializes in food and agriculture, a year after it was founded.When it comes to seeking bankruptcy protection amid the flu epidemic, Cici’s is just one of a number of other restaurant companies that have done so, including Punch Bowl Social and Friendly’s Restaurants Holdings, Inc.Approximately 110,000 restaurants are expected to close permanently in 2020, according to projections from the National Restaurant Association.

The Cici’s Point

1. I realized too late that my last blog article had been published on the one-year anniversary of my very first Broken Chains entry, which had been published the day before.
2. That’s correct, Broken Chains has reached the one-year milestone.
3. Since then, I’ve had a lengthy number of memorable encounters, learnt a great deal about endangered restaurant and retail brands, and logged a significant amount of trip miles.
4. I’d like to think that I’ve improved as a writer as a result.
5. The fact that this blog is held together by a set of rules and guidelines that I’ve imposed on myself gives me some comfort.
6. One of those rules and guidelines is my working definition of what a broken chain is: ″A business that, at some point in its history, had multiple, similarly-functioning, physical locations where a customer could purchase goods and/or services but which, today, has a significantly diminished presence and/or value as a brand compared to the same brand in its heyday.″ When I developed that term, I was about to embark on an investigation into Ponderosa, a chain that was larger than any other I had previously investigated, with around 60 outlets.

• Since then, I’ve published pieces about defunct chains like Blimpie and Shoney’s, which still have three-figure location counts despite their degraded status.
• I’ve also written about franchises such as Burger Chef and Red Barn that have officially closed all of their locations, but still have unofficial locations open that are run by holdout franchisees under various names, as I’ve done here.
• I regard these chains that are defunct on paper but not in practice to be the bottom limit of what might be termed a broken chain under the circumstances.
• It is more difficult to establish the top limit.
• I don’t believe I’ve covered a chain that even comes close to that yet.

The performance of every restaurant and retail chain fluctuates in response to changes in the economy and demographics, but at what point does a chain’s presence and brand value deteriorate to the extent that it meets my definition of a broken chain?I propose that the Cici’s Point be designated as the highest limit of what may be deemed a broken chain from this point forward.After deciding on the name Cici’s since both of their last names began with the letter C, Joe Croce and Mike Cole opened up their first pizza parlor in Plano, Texas, in 1985.

• Contrary to common perception, they never left the pizza business to start a music manufacturing company.) The family’s takeaway pizza company later transformed into a buffet restaurant after they began serving a lunch buffet to attract customers during the noon hours.
• Due to the fact that the buffet was more popular than takeaway, franchised Cici’s outlets with all-day buffets and takeout service began to spring up all over the place.
• Under Croce’s leadership, the chain had steady growth throughout the 1990s.
• The company had 420 (Nice!) sites by the time Joe Croce retired in 2003 and sold his interest to the management team.
• Cici’s was one of the first restaurants I found around this period.
• I was a high school student in Central Kentucky at the time, and I was always on the lookout for locations where I could fill my adolescent stomach for very little money.

1. Working at McDonald’s after school and on weekends, I returned a considerable percentage of my earnings to the firm by purchasing double cheeseburgers and McChickens from the dollar menu on my days off.
2. I was a high school senior.
3. Similarly, I could frequently be seen at Taco Tico on Sunday afternoons, when they were offering tacos and burritos for 49 cents.
4. When the original Cici’s restaurant debuted in Lexington’s Turfland Mall, which was then failing and is now dead, it quickly became one of my favorite hangouts.
5. After adding a drink and sales tax, the price of admission to the buffet rose just marginally to $3.99, or five dollars and change.
6. The buffet was an incredible bargain.

• For that fee, you were entitled to an infinite supply of salad, dessert, spaghetti, and pizza.
• But you could eat as much as you wanted despite the fact that the pizza crust had an unmistakable cardboardy texture.
• Even terrible pizza is still a rather satisfying meal.
• I used to gorge myself on heaping platters of the flimsy pieces of bread.
• Cici’s became popular with everyone because of its affordable pricing.

There was always a very broad audience eating there, or at least more diversified than you’d expect for a pizza buffet with an arcade in the back of the establishment.Several additional Cici’s outlets sprouted in and around Lexington, most of them in similarly depressed and presumably inexpensive to rent retail areas, but they were all shuttered within a few months of the start of the 2008 crisis.Cici’s has 650 locations in 2010 and plans were reported to add another 500 by 2020, bringing the total number of sites to 650.Cici’s Pizza has instead downsized back down to 423 stores distributed across 30 states, despite the fact that they have less than a year remaining to achieve their target.However, more than half of those sites are concentrated in only two states: Texas and Florida, with the remaining 10 states having no more than three Cici’s locations each.

1. In the past nine years, Cici’s has gone from being the fastest growing pizza company in the United States with a nearly national presence to a regional brand with a few vestiges of its once-vast empire dispersed around the country.
2. Perhaps the recession played a role in curbing their expansion.
3. Perhaps they underestimated the rise in popularity of home meal delivery and the subsequent drop in popularity of buffets, or perhaps the rapid expansion they saw in the late 1990s and early 2000s was just unsustainable.
4. Since my last visit to Cici’s Pizza in Ohio a few months before I wrote my first Broken Chains essay, it had been more than a decade since I had eaten there.
5. Even though I’m confident that there are shining examples of locations in Cici’s core markets that demonstrate the brand’s current approach to operation and image, I was more interested in checking out, and being geographically closer to, the vestiges of the brand’s former presence, which had been long since isolated by the brand’s retreat.
6. That’s how I landed myself at the Cici’s restaurant in Goshen, Indiana.

• Saturday, I arrived a few minutes after the restaurant’s scheduled 11 a.m.
• opening and parked in the lot in front of it.
• The building that houses Cici’s is a two-slot strip mall, with one of the slots taken by a liquor shop and the other by a Cici’s.

• The front facade of the building was visibly dirty and in desperate need of a good pressure washing, and as I was making my way from my van to the front door, a large group of other patrons materialized in front of me, consisting primarily of unruly children and an indifferent adult or two, which seemed to me to be a sign of things to come.

This was the nicest booth in the place.

I hope the sneeze guard will keep the falling bits of plaster out of my salad.

I guarantee these graphics have been up there for at least 15 years.

1. While I waited for the people in front of me to complete their transaction and then scatter in a cacophonous commotion, I took a look about me.
2. There were many rows of booths in the dining area, and the cushions on nearly every one of them were ripped.
3. (I double-checked!) Even though the L-shaped buffet was well-stocked, exposed plaster and a gaping hole in the ceiling above the salad bar indicated that a fixture had been removed or had simply fallen out of place.
4. For the most part, the logos and signage on display looked exactly the same as they did when I first walked inside Cici’s at Turfland Mall more than 15 years ago.
5. It was unable to find the updated exploding pizza emblems that had been featured on their website.
6. I did not go out of my way to find a decaying Cici’s site on purpose.

• I chose this particular location since it was the most convenient for my intended trip, but if one of Cici’s, chosen at random, is in such poor condition, there are undoubtedly others in similar or worse condition.

I didn’t try the wings. I may have to next time.

1. When it came time for me to order, I requested a buffet and a drink, for which I ended up spending more than $8.
2. This isn’t a bad deal when you consider the cost of living over the last few decades.
3. At my local sit-down Pizza Hut, unlimited midday pizza is more than $10, and there isn’t quite as much selection as there is here.
4. Cici’s had discontinued the use of reusable cups at some time during my adolescence and replaced them with disposable paper cups, probably in order to keep expenses down.
5. My disappointment at seeing tangible proof of their cost-cutting efforts outweighed my joy at receiving a keepsake.
6. On this trip, the exploding pizza logo was only visible on the cup I was drinking from.

The elusive exploding pizza logo adorned my cup.

Small, but reasonably comprehensive salad bar

1. In order to trick myself into believing I’m eating healthfully at buffets, I always start with a salad before heaping up my next plate with a mountain of carbohydrates and other unhealthy foods.
2. Cici’s current salad bar is a little on the tiny side, but it appeared to be clean and well-organized in general.
3. The dressings were served in unique canisters that reminded me of IHOP syrup dispensers and were designed to fit into interlocking slots on the salad plates.
4. Strangely, there was no grated cheese available on the salad bar, but there was a good array of veggies available to choose from.
5. With an unexpectedly vegan first dish and an acidic Italian dressing on the side, I stuffed my plate full of deliciousness.
6. It was totally okay, but it paled in comparison to the salads I’ve been able to create at Rax or Bonanza Steak and BBQ in the past.

Pizza pile

1. As soon as I had completed most of my salad, I was ready for pizza.
2. Several slices were heaped on my second plate, and I returned to my seat at the table.
3. The deep pan crust slices were about the same as they had always been, but the thin crust options were more airy and chewy than I had come to expect from Cici’s based on past encounters.
4. Cici’s cardboard crust pizza, which I had become accustomed to and tolerated, was no longer available and had been replaced with a more premium-tasting product.
5. The toppings and sauce were almost exactly as I remembered them, especially the delectable barbecue chicken pizza, but the crust, which was made of real flour rather than what I can only imagine was sawdust back in the day, was a significant improvement.

I can’t think of a brownie I’ve ever enjoyed more than a Cici’s brownie.

1. My palate had been pleasantly delighted, so I made my way through my second dish and then returned to the buffet for the dessert round.
2. I went out and bought the brownies and cinnamon buns that I used to serve as a sweet ending to my adolescent Cici’s meals.
3. The macaroni and cheese pizza was also on my list, since a wedge of carbs topped with even more carbohydrates is delicious to the point that I consider it a dessert, regardless of how much sugar is in it.
4. The soft buttery cinnamon buns, as well as the delightfully undercooked brownies, were just as I remembered them.
5. Something, however, was lost in translation when it came to the macaroni and cheese pizza slice.
6. The nuanced tastes and textures of the toppings were overshadowed by the fluffier, lighter crust.

• The macaroni and cheese pizza at Cici’s seems to be the only one that works better on the old crust than the others.
• The Arlon Firm, an investment group with a subsidiary that owns multiple Taco Bell, KFC, and Golden Corral franchises, purchased the struggling Cici’s brand in 2016, following the company’s failure to fulfill its anticipated growth targets and in the middle of a steadily declining site count.
• The fact that the new parent business has experience in the restaurant industry appears to be beneficial to the Cici’s brand.
• Although the food’s earlier flaws have been corrected, most of the iconic Cici’s tastes have been retained, all without causing a significant increase in the price of the meal.
• While Arlon is doing its lot to keep Cici’s afloat, the owner of the franchised shop I visited seemed to be completely uninterested in the business.

Despite the fact that the meal was excellent and the establishment was pretty clean, it had plainly fallen into ruin.Consequently, it didn’t appear to be very well-liked by the residents.Only two or three other tables were filled at noon on a Saturday, aside from my table and the huge group in front of me.

• According to the owner, he was locked in a feedback cycle, with declining popularity and earnings leading to postponement of maintenance and repairs, which in turn led to more declines in popularity, which in turn led to even more neglect.
• The Arlon Group, on the other hand, appears to be eager and able to reinvigorate the Cici’s brand.
• According to my own standards, it’s barely a broken chain.
• It is a chain that, with the appropriate plan, can be repaired and regenerated, and it is possible that it can once again prosper.
• Some of the weak links in the chain should be cut loose, and Arlon should recruit and screen some new franchisees to assist in expanding the brand into new regions.
• When it comes to all-day pizza buffets, there is a void in my own particular market of Metro Detroit, and I would welcome the presence of a Cici’s in my area.

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Our Story

1. As soon as the doors of Cicis opened their doors for the first time – in Plano, Texas in 1985 – it became known as ″the Original home of all the pizza, spaghetti, salad, and sweets you can eat.″ With a commitment to providing exciting, family-friendly restaurants where customers can spend valuable time together while enjoying all of their favorite foods at a single affordable price, Cicis has been in business for over four decades.
2. As part of its ongoing commitment to meeting the changing demands of its guests, Cicis has increased its emphasis on its off-premise alternatives, including the introduction of online ordering, the addition of additional menu items, and the establishment of a reward program through the MyCicis mobile application.
3. In addition, Cicis locations around the country are now offering customers the ability to order their favorites for pickup or delivery, making it easier for visitors to experience the Best Pizza Value Anywhere, whenever and wherever they choose!
4. Today, the brand operates more than 300 restaurants in more than 30 states, and it has been named by CNN Money as the No.
5. 1 ″Casual Dining Pizza Chain (for your money) in America,″ named by Technomic as the No.
6. 2 ″Most Kid-Friendly Chain as voted by Millennial Moms,″ and recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News as one of the Top 200 restaurant chains and one of the Top 400 franchises in the United States, respectively.

Cici’s Pizza Size & Price: How Many Do I Order?

1. In 1985, Joe Croce and Mike Col opened the first Cici’s pizza buffet restaurant in the United States, and the rest is history.
2. It started off as a single restaurant in Plato, Texas, but has grown to encompass more than 600 locations around the United States.
3. In addition, it is the largest pizza buffet franchise in the world.
4. As implied by the brand name, the firm has focused in the production of pizza.
5. CiCi’s Pizza, on the other hand, has produced an endless buffet with a very inexpensive pricing range as an offer extension.
6. There are a few companies that are attempting to imitate this model, but none of them deliver the value that CiCi’s does.

• Finally, it’s time to find out how big and how much Cici’s pizza will set you back.

CiCi’s Pizza Menu With Prices

CiCi’s pizza menu features a variety of pizza, pasta, and salad options, as well as a variety of Italian specialties. Enjoy any of their delicious deep-dish pizzas, filled crust pizzas, or flatbread pizzas while you wait for your dinner.

Traditional crust CiCi’s pizza slice price

Pizza type	Medium	Large
Cheese	$5.5	$6.5
Pepperoni	$5.5	$6.5
Meat Easter	$8.5	$9.5
Supreme	$9	$10
Hawaiian	$6.6	$7.6
Spinach Alfredo	$5.5	$6.5
Buffalo chicken	$5.5	$6.5
BBQ pork	$5.5	$6.5
Mac & Cheese	$5.5	$6.5
Alfredo	$5.5	$6.5
Veggie	$7	$8

With all of the items on the list, you may create a pizza that suits your preferences at a reasonable cost. Even a nice lunch can be had for less than $10 in certain places.

Deep dish crust CiCi’s pizza slice price

Pizza type	Medium
Cheese	$8
Pepperoni	$8
Meat Easter	$10

• Cici’s Pizza offers a broad selection of different varieties of pizza on their menu. Among the ingredients that go into making them are: meat, tofu, fresh and cooked veggies, seasonings, exotic fruits, chocolate, marshmallow, and whipped cream.

Specialty pizzas – Mediterranean

Pizza type	Small	Medium	Large	Extra large	Party
Chicken	$18	$19	$20.5	$26	$41
Feta	$18	$19	$20.5	$26	$41
Mushrooms	$18	$19	$20.5	$26	$41
Black olives	$18	$19	$20.5	$26	$41

The best part is that Cici’s pizza is always expanding its menu by offering a variety of various ingredients and pizza toppings to customers. So you can always expect to find amazing pizzas on their menu, as well as a few surprises here and there.

Specialty pizzas – Cici’s supreme

Pizza type	Small	Medium	Large	Extra large	Party
Extra cheese	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37
Pepperoni	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37
Green peppers	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37
Mushrooms	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37
Bacon	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37
Crumble	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37

One fascinating detail about this restaurant business is that the titles of the pizzas they serve are unusual and appealing. Hawaiian hot, Soprano, Green goddess, Augustino’s, and Cici’s ultimate are just a few of the most well-known flavors.

Specialty pizzas – Hawaiian heat

Pizza type	Small	Medium	Large	Extra large	Party
Pineapples	$15	$16	$17.5	$22	$33.5
Bacon Crumble	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37
Ham	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37
Hot Peppers	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37

Regarding pricing, you should be aware that Cici’s Pizza is one of the largest franchises with a buffet in the world, so expect to pay a premium. As a result, you will notice a substantial variance in the price of pizza depending on where you live.

Specialty pizzas – Augustino’s

Pizza type	Small	Medium	Large	Extra large	Party
Bacon crumbles	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37
Mushrooms	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37
Pepperoni	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37
Hot banana peppers	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37
Chili flakes	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37
Black olives	$17	$18	$19	$24	$37

With this in mind, it is important to note that specified rates are not set in stone, and they will fluctuate based on the nation and even the area where you live.

Specialty pizzas – Green goddess

Pizza type	Small	Medium	Large	Extra large	Party
Extra cheese	$15	$16	$17.5	$22	$33.5
Green peppers	$15	$16	$17.5	$22	$33.5
Broccoli	$15	$16	$17.5	$22	$33.5
Spinach	$15	$16	$17.5	$22	$33.5

How Much Is Cici’s Buffet Per Person?

Cici’s Buffet Per Person, which offers an unlimited buffet of pizza, spaghetti, salads, and desserts for as little as $5.49 per person, is a fantastic deal. It enables you to sample every meal type you see on the menu for less than $6 per serving.

CiCi’s Pizza buffet

Food	Price
Pizza, pasta, salad, and dessert	$5.29
Kid’s Buffet for children ages from 4 to 10	$3.39
Kid’s Buffet for children ages 3	$1.59

• In contrast, Cici’s To Go is a limited-time deal that cannot be used multiple times. For example, if you want to add more cheese and toppings to your pizza, you’ll have to spend a few dollars more. In addition, you may include items in your salads such as: tomatoes
• cucumbers
• and carrots.
• Jalapenos
• Radishes
• Carrots in their infancy
• Cucumbers
• Peppers in green
• Olives
• Onion rings in red wine
• Sauteed mushrooms in slices
• Broccoli
• Pineapple
• Croutons

• Also included is a list of delectable salad dressings, such as Ranch and Light Ranch, as well as Italian, French, and Catalina dressings

In this restaurant, you may also order a children’s buffet, which is less expensive. There is a $3.39 fee for children under ten years of age, and a $1.59 fee for children under three years of age is charged. You should also be aware that the pricing of a Buffet Per Person will most likely va