To Take N Bake or not, good question huh?

Ok pizza people lets get down to the business of making pizz------I mean MONEY! reading some of the posts today was a little like taking a trip back in time, some of you are not having fun yet, right? so here are a few answers for all you post-ers

First off, Papa Murphys is alive and well last count over 1000 stores with gross revenue tipping 500M last year sooooo is this the "hot new trend"? well the best way for all the small guys to profit from the success of the is to definitely add this segment to your menu, especially if you are already a full service store or a TOAD "Take Out And Delivery"

The start up cost are minimal and I will list them at the end of the blog, the most important part of this set up is making sure your dough is formulated so that it is easy to place on the tray, not only for your employees but also so it is easy to bake and remove for your customers.

As I stated in my post on PizzaToday I formulated the crust recipe for PM's Thin Crust Delight pizza, the most important part of any formula for TB is the hydration of your flour, you do not want to make a separate dough for your TB but it cannot be too sticky!

I have tested very thin crust pizza's and thick crust and they both work equally well as long as the dough is not too wet.

Now you may feel like you need to lower your cost on TB pizza compared to your baked pie's but do not be fooled into thinking this will increase your local market share! YOU CANNOT COMPETE AGAINST PAPA MURPHY'S lets face it they own the market on low cost value added TB pizza, but hey so what? your pizza is better than theres right!----RIGHT! ok I am just trying to make a point after all we ALL think our pizza is great and that is why we are in the business. The bottom line is that in my experience your customers love your pizza, don't change your price! for TB and they will not ask you too either.

Fregene's was fortunate enough to have won the Revention POS system last March in at the International Pizza Expo in Vegas, and if you do not have a POS system GET ONE they will help you track your sales and see exactly what I see and that is where my sales are the strongest, TB is a big part of our sales and I cannot wait for Halloween :)

It will take about $500.00 to get you started with TB. Wisco Industries has the Deli Wrap machine and the cellophane and Pac Tiv has the baking trays and your local distributor can get you everything.

I am going to talk about marketing in my next blog so listen up! this is where it gets fun.


Cheers!

Chef Glenn is the founder and Executive Chef of Fregene's Pizza with four locations in Northern California and has won over forty different Culinary awards along with being featured on ABC The View From The Bay and local radio talk shows, and is a Member of the World Pizza Champions.

OH ya and I don't get paid by any of theses linked folks, I just happen to think they are the best in the business SO THERE :)