Blackjack Pizza
Encyclopedia
Blackjack Pizza is a Westminster
, Colorado
-based pizza delivery
chain founded in 1983 by a former Domino's Pizza
employee, Vince Schmuhl, because Domino's Pizza
was the only major pizza delivery company in the Rocky Mountain region
. The pizza chain is the largest in Colorado
with 800 employees, some of whom work part-time.
The first Blackjack Pizza store opened June 29, 1983 in Federal Heights
with a second store opening in Greeley
by February of 1984. By 1986, Blackjack grew to six corporate stores and one franchisee.
In 1988, Blackjack became a franchisor
with the sale of several corporate stores to franchisees. Today, Blackjack Pizza operates 45 stores in five states. Blackjack's tagline
is "Better Pizza, Better Price."
Denver Broncos
wide receiver Rod Smith appeared frequently in Blackjack commercials until October 2008 when Blackjack rolled out a new ad campaign featuring the cast of Impulse Theater. Smith's slogan for Blackjack Pizza ads was "Stick with the home team."
Blackjack Pizza donated money to a number of organizations. In 2005, Blackjack donated $8,842.40 to the Bonfils Blood Center Foundation, which was selected by Blackjack Pizza to be the winner of the "80 Cent Pizza Promotion". The pizzeria also sponsored a Future Farmers of America
program in Fort Morgan
, Colorado
. In 2006, the franchise offered a deal to customers that every time they ordered the "Children's Hospital Special", the franchise would give a dollar to the Children's Hospital in Aurora, Colorado
.
For the first time in 2007, Blackjack appeared on Life Decisions International's The Boycott List, a list of corporation
s that LDI believes should be boycott
ed, since they support Planned Parenthood
, a group that provides family planning services, one of which is abortion
.
Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold
, the high school
seniors
who committed the Columbine High School massacre
worked part-time for $5.15 an hour at the Blackjack Pizza store in Littleton
, Colorado
. At this pizza parlor, the two teens formed important connections that led them to commit their attack at Columbine High School
. The two teens were able to meet Philip Duran, the man who sold them the TEC-9
that they used in the attack, through the connection of Mark Manes, a fellow employee at the Blackjack Pizza store where they worked.
Westminster, Colorado
Westminster is a Home Rule Municipality in Adams and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Westminster is a northwest suburb of Denver. The Westminster Municipal Center is located north-northwest of the Colorado State Capitol. The United States Census Bureau that the city population...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
-based pizza delivery
Pizza delivery
Pizza delivery is a service in which a pizzeria delivers a pizza to a customer. Delivery is normally made with an automobile, motor scooter, or bicycle.- Ordering :...
chain founded in 1983 by a former Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza, Inc. is an international pizza delivery corporation headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America. Founded in 1960, Domino's is the second-largest pizza chain in the United States and has over 9,000 corporate and franchised stores in 60 countries and all 50 U.S....
employee, Vince Schmuhl, because Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza, Inc. is an international pizza delivery corporation headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America. Founded in 1960, Domino's is the second-largest pizza chain in the United States and has over 9,000 corporate and franchised stores in 60 countries and all 50 U.S....
was the only major pizza delivery company in the Rocky Mountain region
Geography of the United States Rocky Mountain System
image:US west coast physiographic regions map.jpgPhysiographic regions of the U.S. InteriorSee:legendFor purposes of description, the physical geography of the United States is split into several major physiographic divisions, one being the Rocky Mountain System...
. The pizza chain is the largest in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
with 800 employees, some of whom work part-time.
The first Blackjack Pizza store opened June 29, 1983 in Federal Heights
Federal Heights, Colorado
The city of Federal Heights is a Statutory City located in Adams County, Colorado, United States. As of 2005, the city is estimated to have a total population of 11,706.-Geography:Federal Heights is located at ....
with a second store opening in Greeley
Greeley, Colorado
The City of Greeley is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Weld County, Colorado, United States. Greeley is located in the region known as Northern Colorado. Greeley is situated north-northeast of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. According to the...
by February of 1984. By 1986, Blackjack grew to six corporate stores and one franchisee.
In 1988, Blackjack became a franchisor
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
with the sale of several corporate stores to franchisees. Today, Blackjack Pizza operates 45 stores in five states. Blackjack's tagline
Tagline
A tagline is a variant of a branding slogan typically used in marketing materials and advertising. The idea behind the concept is to create a memorable phrase that will sum up the tone and premise of a brand or product , or to reinforce the audience's memory of a product...
is "Better Pizza, Better Price."
Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
wide receiver Rod Smith appeared frequently in Blackjack commercials until October 2008 when Blackjack rolled out a new ad campaign featuring the cast of Impulse Theater. Smith's slogan for Blackjack Pizza ads was "Stick with the home team."
Blackjack Pizza donated money to a number of organizations. In 2005, Blackjack donated $8,842.40 to the Bonfils Blood Center Foundation, which was selected by Blackjack Pizza to be the winner of the "80 Cent Pizza Promotion". The pizzeria also sponsored a Future Farmers of America
National FFA Organization
The National FFA Organization is an American youth organization known as a Career and Technical Student Organization, based on middle and high school classes that promote and support agricultural education...
program in Fort Morgan
Fort Morgan, Colorado
The City of Fort Morgan is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and the most populous city of Morgan County, Colorado, United States. The United States Census Bureau estimated that the city population was 10,844 in 2005.-History:...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. In 2006, the franchise offered a deal to customers that every time they ordered the "Children's Hospital Special", the franchise would give a dollar to the Children's Hospital in Aurora, Colorado
Aurora, Colorado
City of Aurora is a Home Rule Municipality spanning Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas counties in Colorado. Aurora is an eastern suburb of the Denver-Aurora-Broomfield, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area . The city is the third most populous city in the Colorado and the 56th most populous city in the...
.
For the first time in 2007, Blackjack appeared on Life Decisions International's The Boycott List, a list of corporation
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
s that LDI believes should be boycott
Boycott
A boycott is an act of voluntarily abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with a person, organization, or country as an expression of protest, usually for political reasons...
ed, since they support Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
, a group that provides family planning services, one of which is abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
.
Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold
Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold
Eric David Harris and Dylan Bennet Klebold were American high school seniors who committed the Columbine High School massacre. They killed 13 people—including teacher Dave Sanders—and injured 24 others, three of whom were injured as they escaped the attack...
, the high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
seniors
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
who committed the Columbine High School massacre
Columbine High School massacre
The Columbine High School massacre occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine, an unincorporated area of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States, near Denver and Littleton. Two senior students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, embarked on a massacre, killing 12...
worked part-time for $5.15 an hour at the Blackjack Pizza store in Littleton
Littleton, Colorado
Littleton is a Home Rule Municipality contained in Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Colorado. Littleton is a suburb of the Denver-Aurora Metropolitan Statistical Area. Littleton is the county seat of Arapahoe County and the 20th most populous city in the state of...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. At this pizza parlor, the two teens formed important connections that led them to commit their attack at Columbine High School
Columbine High School
Columbine High School or CHS is a high school in unincorporated Jefferson County, Colorado, United States.- History :Columbine High School opened in the fall of 1973. There was no senior class in its first year. The school's first graduating class was the class of 1975...
. The two teens were able to meet Philip Duran, the man who sold them the TEC-9
Intratec TEC-DC9
The Intratec TEC-DC9 is a blowback-operated, semi-automatic firearm, chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum, and classified by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as a handgun. Designed by Intratec, an American offshoot of Interdynamic AB, it is made of inexpensive molded polymers...
that they used in the attack, through the connection of Mark Manes, a fellow employee at the Blackjack Pizza store where they worked.