America's Incredible Pizza Company
Encyclopedia
America's Incredible Pizza Company (AIPC) is an American
pizza
buffet
, entertainment center
and restaurant chain based in Springfield
, Missouri
. The first restaurant was opened in Springfield
, Missouri
in 2002. The restaurant has 1200 employees, and it has a revenue of $64.1 million.
, Missouri
and is owned by Rick and Cheryl Barsness. The couple entered the pizza business with a single restaurant in Victoria, Texas
. In 1975, the Barsnesses owned 11 franchises of Gatti's Pizza
.
AIPC grew out of an idea from its founder, Rick Barsness. When Barsness was a hockey
player in high school, his high school's hockey team reached the state championships, but his father never attended a game. His father's absence nurtured a boyhood dream of a place where families could eat and have fun together. This was the type of place Barsness wished he could have spent time with his father.
In 2003, years of legal battles came to an end when Rick Barsness agreed to pay Mr. Gatti's
a $1 million settlement. Mr. Gatti's had charged that Barsness had violated his franchise contract
with them, and had taken trade secret
s. In addition to the $1 million payout, Barsness also agreed to pay Mr. Gatti's Inc. 1% of IPC's net sales for the next 10 years.
AIPC started franchising and established its corporate headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma
in 2003. It moved the headquarters to Springfield, Missouri in 2009.
AIPC restaurants have an average of 250 employee and it costs $5–9 million to start a restaurant.
style pizza
, pasta
, salad
, and dessert
bar, with different seating areas for customers to eat in. The restaurant has 30 types of pizza and an 80-item salad bar. An AIPC restaurant has an average area of 65,000 to 70000 square feet (6,503.2 m²). The restaurant is smoke-free and alcohol-free. It has an arcade
, go-karts
, billiards, bowling
, and miniature golf
, among other activities.
AIPC locations are in the central/southwest part of the United States
and Mexico
. The pizza franchise is planning to build 20 restaurants in Mexico
, with the first one which was built in Monterrey, Mexico
in 2007. Starting in 2007, the AIPC plans to build 2 restaurants every year in Mexico until 2017. AIPC has 73 franchise locations in the United States
and Mexico. In the United States, AIPC has 6 locations in Springfield, Missouri
, Springfield, Illinois
, Tulsa, Oklahoma
and another restaurant in Warr Acres, Oklahoma
. In Texas
, there are restaurants in San Antonio, Houston, Sugar Land
, El Paso, Texas
, and Conroe
. In total, the company has around 15 locations.
and orphanage
s. On February 20, 2008, the IPC Foundation gave $24,000 to the Convoy of Hope
, a non-profit organization
. In September 2008, the IPCF donated $6,500 to Care to Learn, a fund managed by the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools
.
in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. On June 17, 2008, Jason Keller
, the driver of the Incredible Pizza-sponsored car, attended the opening of the 15th Incredible Pizza restaurant in Mesquite
, Texas
. In 2008, which is the first complete NASCAR season that the AIPC has sponsored a racing team, the team finished in 17th place. In July 2008, CJM Racing and the AIPC became partners with Joe Gibbs Racing
. The partnership between the two racing teams includes the NASCAR driver Scott Lagasse Jr.
, who received 13th place out of 52 cars in the No. 11 America's Incredible Pizza Company Chevrolet
in October 2008.
(IAAPA), which places it among one of the top five entertainment centers in the world. Also in 2008, the America's Pizza Company in Springfield, Missouri
won the "Best Place for a Kid's Birthday Party" award from Riverfront Times
. In 2008, AIPC was rated the 456th fastest growing company in the United States by the Inc
500. In the Inc. Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies, AIPC was rated number 12th, with a 693.1% growth.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pizza
Pizza
Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.Originating in Italy, from the Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many parts of the world. An establishment that makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria"...
buffet
Buffet
A buffet is a system of serving meals in which food is placed in a public area where the diners generally serve themselves. Buffets are offered at various places including hotels and many social events...
, entertainment center
Family Entertainment Center
A family entertainment center , often abbreviated FEC in the entertainment industry, is a small amusement park marketed towards families with small children to teenagers, and often entirely indoors or associated with a larger operation such as a theme park...
and restaurant chain based in Springfield
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. The first restaurant was opened in Springfield
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
in 2002. The restaurant has 1200 employees, and it has a revenue of $64.1 million.
History
America's Incredible Pizza Company headquarters is located SpringfieldSpringfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
and is owned by Rick and Cheryl Barsness. The couple entered the pizza business with a single restaurant in Victoria, Texas
Victoria, Texas
Victoria is a city in and the seat of Victoria County, Texas, United States. The population was 60,603 at the 2000 census. The three counties of the Victoria Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 111,163 at the 2000 census,...
. In 1975, the Barsnesses owned 11 franchises of Gatti's Pizza
Gatti's Pizza
Gatti's Pizza is a Southeastern United States pizza-buffet chain. Gatti's Pizza, founded in 1964 is owned by Blue Sage Capital, a private equity investment firm. The corporate offices are in Austin, Texas.-History:...
.
AIPC grew out of an idea from its founder, Rick Barsness. When Barsness was a hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player in high school, his high school's hockey team reached the state championships, but his father never attended a game. His father's absence nurtured a boyhood dream of a place where families could eat and have fun together. This was the type of place Barsness wished he could have spent time with his father.
In 2003, years of legal battles came to an end when Rick Barsness agreed to pay Mr. Gatti's
Gatti's Pizza
Gatti's Pizza is a Southeastern United States pizza-buffet chain. Gatti's Pizza, founded in 1964 is owned by Blue Sage Capital, a private equity investment firm. The corporate offices are in Austin, Texas.-History:...
a $1 million settlement. Mr. Gatti's had charged that Barsness had violated his franchise contract
Contract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
with them, and had taken trade secret
Trade secret
A trade secret is a formula, practice, process, design, instrument, pattern, or compilation of information which is not generally known or reasonably ascertainable, by which a business can obtain an economic advantage over competitors or customers...
s. In addition to the $1 million payout, Barsness also agreed to pay Mr. Gatti's Inc. 1% of IPC's net sales for the next 10 years.
AIPC started franchising and established its corporate headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
in 2003. It moved the headquarters to Springfield, Missouri in 2009.
AIPC restaurants have an average of 250 employee and it costs $5–9 million to start a restaurant.
Locations and format
At the AIPC, the music and decorations have a 1950s theme. AIPC has a buffetBuffet
A buffet is a system of serving meals in which food is placed in a public area where the diners generally serve themselves. Buffets are offered at various places including hotels and many social events...
style pizza
Pizza
Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.Originating in Italy, from the Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many parts of the world. An establishment that makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria"...
, pasta
Pasta
Pasta is a staple food of traditional Italian cuisine, now of worldwide renown. It takes the form of unleavened dough, made in Italy, mostly of durum wheat , water and sometimes eggs. Pasta comes in a variety of different shapes that serve for both decoration and to act as a carrier for the...
, salad
Salad
Salad is any of a wide variety of dishes, including vegetable salads; salads of pasta, legumes, eggs, or grains; mixed salads incorporating meat, poultry, or seafood; and fruit salads. They may include a mixture of cold and hot, often including raw vegetables or fruits.Green salads include leaf...
, and dessert
Dessert
In cultures around the world, dessert is a course that typically comes at the end of a meal, usually consisting of sweet food. The word comes from the French language as dessert and this from Old French desservir, "to clear the table" and "to serve." Common Western desserts include cakes, biscuits,...
bar, with different seating areas for customers to eat in. The restaurant has 30 types of pizza and an 80-item salad bar. An AIPC restaurant has an average area of 65,000 to 70000 square feet (6,503.2 m²). The restaurant is smoke-free and alcohol-free. It has an arcade
Video arcade
An amusement arcade or video arcade is a venue where people play arcade games such as video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, merchandisers , or coin-operated billiards or air hockey tables...
, go-karts
Kart racing
Kart racing or karting is a variant of open-wheel motorsport with small, open, four-wheeled vehicles called karts, go-karts, or gearbox/shifter karts depending on the design. They are usually raced on scaled-down circuits...
, billiards, bowling
Bowling
Bowling Bowling Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule...
, and miniature golf
Miniature golf
Miniature golf, or minigolf, is a miniature version of the sport of golf. While the international sports organization World Minigolf Sport Federation prefers to use the name "minigolf", the general public in different countries has also many other names for the game: miniature golf, mini-golf,...
, among other activities.
AIPC locations are in the central/southwest part of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. The pizza franchise is planning to build 20 restaurants in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, with the first one which was built in Monterrey, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in 2007. Starting in 2007, the AIPC plans to build 2 restaurants every year in Mexico until 2017. AIPC has 73 franchise locations in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Mexico. In the United States, AIPC has 6 locations in Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, Springfield, Illinois
Springfield, Illinois
Springfield is the third and current capital of the US state of Illinois and the county seat of Sangamon County with a population of 117,400 , making it the sixth most populated city in the state and the second most populated Illinois city outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area...
, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
and another restaurant in Warr Acres, Oklahoma
Warr Acres, Oklahoma
Warr Acres is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. It was established after World War II by C.B. Warr, a dynamic businessman, builder, and commercial developer. The population was 9,735 at the 2000 census.-History:The Warr Acres...
. In Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, there are restaurants in San Antonio, Houston, Sugar Land
Sugar Land, Texas
Sugar Land is a city in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area and Fort Bend County. Sugar Land is one of the most affluent and fastest-growing cities in Texas, having grown more than 158 percent in the last decade. In the time period of 2000–2007, Sugar Land also enjoyed a...
, El Paso, Texas
El Paso, Texas
El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States...
, and Conroe
Conroe, Texas
Conroe is a suburban city 40 miles north of Houston in the gulf coastal plains/piney woods region of southeast Texas.It is the seat of Montgomery County and falls within the metropolitan area.As of the 2000 U.S...
. In total, the company has around 15 locations.
Incredible Pizza Company Foundation
In the fall of 2007, the Incredible Pizza Company founders, Rick and Cheryl Barsness, founded the Incredible Pizza Company Foundation (IPC Foundation) with the purpose to donate to missionariesMissionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
and orphanage
Orphanage
An orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
s. On February 20, 2008, the IPC Foundation gave $24,000 to the Convoy of Hope
Convoy of Hope
Convoy of Hope is a nonprofit organization that provides disaster relief, supply lines and outreaches to the poor and disaster-stricken in the United States and around the world. During a Convoy of Hope outreach, free groceries are distributed, job and health fairs are organized and activities for...
, a non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
. In September 2008, the IPCF donated $6,500 to Care to Learn, a fund managed by the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools
Springfield Public Schools
The Springfield Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district serving students in Kindergarten through 12th grade from Springfield Township, in Union County, New Jersey, United States....
.
Sponsor of Nascar racing team
America's Incredible Pizza Company was the primary sponsor of #11 CJM RacingCJM Racing
CJM Racing was a NASCAR Nationwide Series team. They fielded the #11 car for a variety of drivers.-NASCAR Sprint Cup Series:Victory Motorsports was formed in 2006 when two businessmen, Bryan and Tony Mullet, purchased the Sprint Cup equipment of Faith Motorsports from Morgan Shepherd...
in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. On June 17, 2008, Jason Keller
Jason Keller
For the American writer, see Jason Keller Jason Keller is a NASCAR racing driver who currently drives the #44 Chevrolet for Tri-Star Motorsports in the Nationwide Series. A mainstay in the Busch/Nationwide Series since his debut in 1991...
, the driver of the Incredible Pizza-sponsored car, attended the opening of the 15th Incredible Pizza restaurant in Mesquite
Mesquite, Texas
Mesquite is a city located within the Dallas/Ft.Worth area of Texas. As of the 2010 US Census, the population was 139,824.-History:The city was founded May 22, 1873, by a Texas & Pacific Railway engineer who purchased land along the Texas & Pacific line outside of Dallas...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. In 2008, which is the first complete NASCAR season that the AIPC has sponsored a racing team, the team finished in 17th place. In July 2008, CJM Racing and the AIPC became partners with Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing
Joe Gibbs Racing is a group of NASCAR racing teams owned and operated by former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs, who first started racing on the NASCAR circuit in 1991, and J. D. Gibbs, his son...
. The partnership between the two racing teams includes the NASCAR driver Scott Lagasse Jr.
Scott Lagasse Jr.
Scott Lagasse Jr. is a race car driver on the NASCAR Nationwide Series circuit. He currently drives the #43 Ford for Baker Curb Racing. He is the son of former Sports Car & NASCAR driver Scott Lagasse Sr.. Lagasse Jr is a former member of Chip Ganassi Racing driver development program...
, who received 13th place out of 52 cars in the No. 11 America's Incredible Pizza Company Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
in October 2008.
Awards
In 2008, the America's Pizza Company was named a "Top Family Entertainment Center of the World" (TFEC) from the International Association of Amusement Parks and AttractionsInternational Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
Founded in 1918, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions represents over 4000 members, in 93 countries, as a collective way to increase operations while maintaining professional standards...
(IAAPA), which places it among one of the top five entertainment centers in the world. Also in 2008, the America's Pizza Company in Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
won the "Best Place for a Kid's Birthday Party" award from Riverfront Times
Riverfront Times
The Riverfront Times is a weekly newspaper in St. Louis, Missouri that consists of local politics, music, arts and dining news in the print edition and daily updates to blogs and photo galleries on its website...
. In 2008, AIPC was rated the 456th fastest growing company in the United States by the Inc
Inc. (magazine)
Inc. magazine, founded in 1979 and based in New York City, is a monthly publication focused on growing companies. The magazine publishes an annual list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., the "Inc...
500. In the Inc. Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies, AIPC was rated number 12th, with a 693.1% growth.