The company attributed the success to a combination of its Latino brand focus, strong marketing, and unparalleled everyday food values.

"We worked very proactively over the past year to stabilize and lower operating costs for our franchise partners," said Andrew Gamm, director of Brand Development for Pizza Patrón. "At the same time, we were able to create a number of new value options for customers without compromising the quality of our food, or raising retail prices."

Company officials say the brand is well-positioned for strong growth over the next couple of years despite an economic environment that shows no immediate signs of improvement. Restructured supplier contracts, new store designs with reduced construction costs, and more favorable real estate and lease trends are expected to drive expansion in 2009.

"We understand that our industry has a 'what have you done for me lately?' mentality at times," said Antonio Swad, founder of Pizza Patrón Inc. "Well, lately we have been working hard, refining our business model and most of all serving our communities. The result has been favorable and the numbers are shouting it."

Pizza Patrón has been credited with creating the countrys first chain of Latino-Hispano focused restaurants, where traditional American-style pizza is served in a distinctly Latin environment. The company currently operates nearly 90 stores in six states and plans to have 750 stores nationwide within a decade.

About Pizza Patrón
Pizza Patrón was founded by Antonio Swad in 1986. Since franchising began in March 2003, the brand has gone from four locations in Dallas to 84 in six states, with more than 40 more under development. Pizza Patrón features fun and festive pizza stores that are community-based in Spanish-speaking or predominately Hispanic neighborhoods. In 2006 Pizza Patrón successfully introduced new products like Patrón Dippers™ and Fiesta Wings™, and rolled-out their Pizza Lista™ program nationally. In 2007, they added BreadStix™ and QuesoStix™ to the menu and have begun market testing of ChurroStix™. Pizza Patrón restaurants include a dine-in store model, the Pizza Patrón Rapidito™ (airports/malls) model, the Tiendita™ (portable mini-store extension) and their Lista Drive-thru™ concept. All pizza dough is made fresh throughout the evening; no preservatives are added or needed. The sauce is prepared fresh in the stores from crushed Roma tomatoes and only 100% mozzarella is used. Whole and half pizzas are offered at prices as low as $6 for a large pizza with cheese and one topping and $4 for the same half pizza AMIGO PIZZA™. A large 'La Patrona' pizza with everything is only $8.

Contact
Pizza Patrón Inc.
Sandy Bell, S. Bell, Inc.
972-934-2870
sandybell@sbelliinc.com