New Orleans Consumers

Big Game Brands "Tries the Pie" With Purchase of Italian Restaurant Concept

Big Game Brands, formerly Raving Brands, announces today the purchase of The Original Italian Pie, a full-service Italian restaurant franchise featuring gourmet pizzas, salads, sandwiches and calzones to its diverse portfolio of concepts that includes Monkey Joe's Parties & Play and The Flying Biscuit.

Founded in New Orleans in 1992, The Original Italian Pie is famous for its gourmet made-to-order pizzas, featuring made-from-scratch dough and sauce and topped with fresh, hand-cut toppings. The full-service restaurant concept is popular for its large portions, great value and robust menu of traditional Italian fare such as pasta and calzones, as well as sandwiches, salads and vegetarian options, making it a perfect choice for the entire family.

Big Game Brands plans to expand the concept across the U.S., focusing its efforts in the Southeast by first opening a corporate location in Charlotte, N.C. and a new franchised location in New Orleans. With single-unit operators and area developers already taking an interest in the brand, Big Game Brands plans to grow to 25 locations by the end of 2012.

"After launching concepts such as Moe's Southwest Grill, Mama Fu's and Planet Smoothie, we understand what it takes for a concept to be successful in an ever-changing environment," explains Daryl Dollinger, president of Big Game Brands. "The addition of Italian Pie continues our reach into the casual dining market and, according to Technomic, value will be key this year for consumers making decisions on what casual dining establishment they frequent. We believe Italian Pie offers quality menu items at an affordable price, and we are enthusiastic about the potential for growth and the opportunity to take the brand to the next level."

To maintain the flare and excitement of The Original Italian Pie, Big Game Brands has brought on Pat Linch as vice president of operations and brand leader. No stranger to the brand, Linch previously worked with the brand and will remain based in New Orleans to lead franchise support and training efforts.

"I am excited to be joining the team and look forward to expanding The Original Italian Pie across the United States," says Linch."I have a great passion for the brand and we believe its varied menu and customer service will lead separate interest in a franchise concept that works in both larger cities and smaller markets."

The two new sites Italian Pie will be located at 1608 East Blvd. Charlotte and 3706 Prytania St. New Orleans. For more information on The Original Italian Pie, please visit www.italianpie.com.

Food, gas and rent push US consumer prices higher - New Orleans ...

WASHINGTON — Americans paid more for food and gas last month, but outside those volatile categories inflation remained tame.

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.5 percent in March, the Labor Department said today. That matched February’s increase, the largest since the recession ended in June 2009. In the past 12 months, the index has increased 2.7 percent, the biggest rise since December 2009.

Excluding the volatile food and gas categories, the so-called core index rose 0.1 percent and it is up only 1.2 percent in the past year.

But steep food and gas prices are hitting consumers hard.

Gasoline jumped 5.6 percent last month and has risen nearly 28 percent in the past year. Consumers paid an average price of $3.81 a gallon nationwide on today according to the travel group AAA.

Food prices rose 0.8 percent last month, the largest increase in almost three years. Prices for fruits and vegetables, dairy products, chicken and beef all increased. Coffee costs rose 3.5 percent.

Manufacturers, food processors and other producers are facing higher costs for oil, grains and other commodities. But only some of those increases are reaching the consumer. Many retailers are reluctant to pass on the higher prices for fear of losing price-conscious customers.

Consumers have seen wages and salaries stagnate in the past year, limiting their ability to pay more for many goods. According to a separate government report today, average hourly earnings for all employees, adjusted for inflation, dropped 1 percent in the past 12 months.

Stagnant wages are a big reason that most Federal Reserve policymakers say the spike in gas and food will have only a modest and temporary impact on inflation.

Still, pricier food and gas means consumers have less money to spend elsewhere, a trend that could slow the economy. Rising inflation has caused many analysts to reduce their estimates for economic growth in the January-March quarter from roughly 3 percent or higher to as low as 1.5 percent.

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I just got back from a trip to AZ and CA. I live in FL and I definitely have to say that consumer prices are heading up. It was quite interesting to fill up the rental in the two states. I visited a farmers market in CA as well and was a bit shocked by the price for the basket of strawberries I bought. It’s little wonder that commodities like the precious metals are heading higher and the dollar is heading lower.