Nicely, one other yr has come and practically gone. 2009 was an fascinating one, to say the least. After American voters cried for change in our nation’s management in 2008, America’s first black president took workplace this yr. Since then, we’ve been working to dial down our navy efforts in Iraq whereas nonetheless determining deal with the conundrum in Afghanistan. Healthcare, very similar to 17 years in the past, is a a lot debated political matter. The economic system, badly battered throughout the earlier eight years, could have hit backside. Although nobody appears to know for positive the place issues are heading and the normal indicators proceed to provide conflicting indicators, there’s at the least some hope now of an financial restoration.
How does that carry over to the pizza business? Once more, indicators are combined. Identical-store gross sales will increase, at the least in a sustained style, are onerous to return by. Total gross sales progress isn’t occurring, however pizza continues to point out its resiliency by means of unit progress. Profi ts are up in a couple of operations, down in most.
One would assume such uncertainty would solid a pall over the business, but it surely hasn’t. Again within the spring, Worldwide Pizza Expo had a nearrecord- breaking yr and the attendees had been as critical as I’ve ever seen them. We acknowledged that and tried to match their depth with our “09.09.09” concern in September. Although it might be somewhat ahead, I’m not shy about saying that, frankly, we hit a house run and are pleased with the contribution that concern made to the business.
Then once more, that’s why we’re right here: to function a guiding gentle to the business’s operators no matter what’s occurring within the outdoors world. Politics change. Confl icts in overseas lands come and go. Administrations flip over. However pizza continues. It’s an American staple, in any case, and that isn’t going to vary.
So don’t flip the calendar to 2010 with a pessimistic hand. The economic system could or could not have bottomed out and we’ll in all probability proceed seeing combined indicators for some time but, however I’m seeing a whole lot of positives within the pizza business. From the artisan renaissance to social networking, these attempting instances have sparked some creativity. I’ve little doubt it is going to repay someday sooner somewhat than later.
Greatest,
Jeremy White, editor-in-chief
jwhite@www.pizzatoday.com
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