B'ham News Article on Pizza Bowl

[VA_Bull]

Found this article on line.  Everybody noticed no pizza.  But check out the concession operator's excuse as to the long lines, if this isn't the biggest pile of toro-poo I don't know what is!

http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1167215087194340.xml&coll=2

Sponsor to dish up pizza to satisfy fans next year

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

JON SOLOMON

News staff writer

The game dubbed the Pizza Bowl promises to sell pizza at next year's bowl game in Birmingham.

The biggest faux pas from the inaugural Papajohns.com Bowl last Saturday was the absence of pizza sold inside Legion Field. Papa John's said Tuesday its late date becoming title sponsor and logistical issues prevented sales in the stadium.

"Clearly, the biggest glitch is we want to have our product at the stadium, and we're in discussions to make it happen," said Chris Sternberg, Papa John's senior vice president of corporate communications.

"I think there's a mandate from the folks in Birmingham and the fans. We talked to the mayor (Bernard Kincaid) at the game. We told the mayor the fans want pizza. He said, absolutely. We don't expect there to be an issue next year. I think the concessionaire is willing to sell."

Legion Field's concessions are operated by Yarbrough Companies, Inc., which could not be reached for comment.

"Based on conversations I had with Yarbrough, they're more than willing to sell Papa John's pizza next year," said Bo Kerr, the bowl's manager of sales and marketing. "Between branding and marketing the game, (selling pizza) wasn't at the top of Papa John's priorities this year."

Papa John's became title sponsor in mid-November and said it did not pursue discussions with Yarbrough for this year's game.

"When I talked to our franchise in Birmingham, they didn't think they could put together the logistics to make good, high-quality pizza, which is what we're known for," Sternberg said.

Papa John's expects to pay commissions fees between 15 percent and 25 percent, Sternberg said. Once that happens, Papa John's will still have to determine how to cook its pizza at the stadium.

"That's why we needed some time," Sternberg said. "I don't think we can cook on site. Legion Field doesn't have the type of pizza ovens we need. We're going to have to cook in local trailers and from local Papa John's."

Papa John's and other pizza chains currently don't deliver to the Smithfield community that surrounds the stadium, partly due to safety concerns.

A mobile trailer allowed Papa John's to sell its product outside Legion Field. Papa John's donated 20 to 30 pizzas at Yarbrough's request to suite holders "as a goodwill gesture," Sternberg said.

But the lack of pizza inside the stadium was obvious to even Papa John himself, the company's founder, John Schnatter.

"When we were down on the field, we had several fans say, `We love your product. We wish we could buy it at the stadium,'" Sternberg said. "(Schnatter) looked me and I said, `John, we couldn't do it in time.'"

Papa John's has one year left on its two-year contract with the bowl and an option for a third. Sternberg said the relationship is "off to a good start" because the field looked great and the announced attendance (32,023) exceeded expectations.

Meanwhile, bowl officials will evaluate its entire operation. Kerr said two common complaints from fans focused on concessions and transportation.

Some fans were unhappy with the food selection and length of lines at concession stands. Kerr said Yarbrough has a reputation of not being as prepared for events as it should.

"We're kind of at the mercy of Yarbrough. We can't bring in outside vendors," Kerr said. "I think Yarbrough was a little skeptical of how many fans would show up. There were no concessions in the north end zone, and we seated fans on both sides of one side of the field. But long waits are typical when you go to sporting events."

Kerr said out-of-town fans who stayed downtown complained about poor taxi and bus service. The bowl plans to encourage fans to rent cars in the future, and make sure taxi services are aware of the game.

"I don't need to tell you public transportation in Birmingham isn't what it is in other cities," Kerr said.

There was positive feedback from out-of-towners, too. Kerr said East Carolina fans raved about The Summit and Galleria malls. Legion Field's new turf was admired.

And coaches and administrators from the schools, expecting there to be bumps from a first-year bowl, repeatedly remarked on how smoothly the week went.

ESPN appears to like the game's date. Kerr said he expects next year's game to remain on the Saturday afternoon before Christmas, Dec. 22, 2007.

"Daytime is the key," Kerr said. "It was noticeable that the local fans were leaving early with the game not being dramatic. A lot of that had to do with the holidays. The date provides local fans the chance to attend but not take up their whole day."

E-mail: jsolomon@bhamnews.com

[Bobcat99]

Papa John's and other pizza chains currently don't deliver to the Smithfield community that surrounds the stadium, partly due to safety concerns.  

For some reason I find this hilarious. Is this standard pizza business practice?

[Economics_Nerd82]

Papa John's and other pizza chains currently don't deliver to the Smithfield community that surrounds the stadium, partly due to safety concerns.  

For some reason I find this hilarious. Is this standard pizza business practice?

Very much so.

I rode all around that dang community with my buddy and couldn't find anywhere to eat. Glad we didn't get out and ask anyone for help... might have lost my car (and more importantly my USF car flag!).

[NormalBull]

Yea, the fact that pizza companies won't deliver to the neighborhood the stadium's in ought to really boost attendance.  There were more than glitches wrong with that thingt.

Normal

[bullman3]

How about running out of water once again.  The area around the stadium is in dire need of revitalization.

[kdawgy_orlando]

Papa John's and other pizza chains currently don't deliver to the Smithfield community that surrounds the stadium, partly due to safety concerns.  

I had heard this from more than one person before I left Orlando to go to the game.  Should we go back there next year - they had better have some pies handy.  And apparently some more beer.

[USFan]

Dec. 22nd, Saturday.  THREE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS!

I don't want to hear complaints if we go back there next year.

Charlotte was better, however.