Blackjack Pizza
Blackjack Pizza is a 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[1] and he thought customers would appreciate an alternative. The pizza chain is the largest in Colorado with 800 employees, some of whom work part-time.[2] On January 1, 2013, Blackjack Pizza was acquired by Askar Brands.
Industry | Restaurants |
---|---|
Founded | June 29, 1983 |
Headquarters | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, U.S. |
Key people | Vince Schmuhl, Founder & President |
Products | Pizza |
Number of employees | 800 (estimated) |
Website | www |
History
The first Blackjack Pizza store opened on June 29, 1983, in Federal Heights with a second store opening in Greeley by February 1984.[1] By 1986, Blackjack had grown to six corporate stores and one franchisee.[3] The company headquarters, by 1999, was in what was then the Castlewood census-designated place in unincorporated Arapahoe County, Colorado, near Englewood.[4][5] The territory became a part of Centennial,[6] which incorporated in 2001 with all of the territory of the Castlewood CDP.[7]
In 1988, Blackjack became a franchisor with the sale of several corporate stores to franchisees. As of 2018 Blackjack Pizza operated 45 stores in five states.[8] Blackjack's tagline is "Better Pizza, Better Price."[9]
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.[10] Smith's slogan for Blackjack Pizza ads was "Stick with the home team."[11][12]
Philanthropy
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".[8][13] The pizzeria also sponsored a Future Farmers of America program in Fort Morgan, Colorado.[14] 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.[15]
Acquisitions
On January 1, 2013, Blackjack Pizza was acquired by Askar Brands, a Michigan-based company.[16]
References
- "Blackjack Pizza Franchise Information". The Franchise Mall. Archived from the original on 2008-09-24. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- Bronikoski, Lynn (1996-01-28). "Black Jack Pizza Gears up for Game". Rocky Mountain News. Archived from the original on 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- "Company History". Blackjack Pizza Franchising. Archived from the original on 2008-10-13. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- Home. Blackjack Pizza. October 12, 1999. Retrieved on October 18, 2018. "9137 E Mineral Cr - Suite 100 Englewood CO 80112"
- "CENSUS 2000 BLOCK MAP: CASTLEWOOD CDP." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on October 18, 2018. In the 1990 Census Map (index map) on pages 40 and 59.
- "Centennial, Colorado Wards." City of Centennial. February 3, 2001. Retrieved on October 18, 2018.
- United States Summary, 2010: Population and housing unit counts. U.S. Census Bureau, 2012. p. V-20 (SL22-PA20). "CENTENNIAL CITY, CO (2010 population rank 281). Incorporated in 2001 including all of Castlewood and Southglenn CDPs."
- Scott, Julie (2006-01-30). "Blackjack Pizza Customers Raise Dough for Bonfils Blood Center". Bonfils Blood Center. Archived from the original on 2009-01-05. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- "Blackjack Pizza Franchising Inc". Gaebler Ventures. Archived from the original on 2007-10-19. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- Cotton, Anthony (2007-09-30). "The game of commercial appeal". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
For most of his 13 years in town, Smith said he wasn't very interested in doing commercials, feeling they might be a distraction from his main task - playing football. He recently relented, though, doing some spots for Blackjack Pizza.
- Thorburn, Ryan (2006-08-15). "Tatum still trails Mike Bell at RB". Daily Camera. Archived from the original on 2007-10-20. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- Brown, Irv; Williams, Joe (2008). The Great Book of Denver Sports Lists. Running Press. p. 91. ISBN 978-0-7624-3355-1.
- "On the Move: Noteworthy". Rocky Mountain News. 2006-03-28. Archived from the original on 2012-10-14. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
Blackjack Pizza presented Bonfils Blood Center Foundation with a check for $8,842.40. Bonfils was selected by Blackjack Pizza franchisees as the beneficiary of the locally based 80 Cent Pizza Promotion in 2005.
- Chaney, Jesse (2008-10-01). "FFA project helps local seniors". Fort Morgan Times. Archived from the original on 2008-10-02. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- "Colorado business". The Denver Post. 2006-11-01. Archived from the original on 2012-10-16. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- "Askar Brands: Blackjack Pizza". Askar Brands. 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-08-15. Retrieved 2014-11-11.