Recently there have been a number of Cici's Pizza Buffet radio commercials on a metro NY radio station. There are no Cici's restaurants for at least 4oo miles - and this station does not carry that far south.
I find it interesting that this large company would spend money on local advertising in a market that they are not in. What does this mean? Could it mean that they are coming to the metro NY area some time soon and want to make the public aware of the name in advance? Could it mean that they are trolling for franchisees and are hoping that someone who wants to open a Cici's Pizza Buffet in the metro NY area? Or are they hoping for travel business - Look there is a Cici's over there - I heard about them on the radi0.
I have never been to a Cici's. I am really intrigued and wrote an article here in October 2006. I first learned about them then on a television commercial - but cable and satellite television makes sense for advertising as it covers a very broad and national market. You cover as many places with your restaurants as without. But local radio in a market that you are not in?
Cici's is the cheapest chain buffet that I know of. All the pizza, salad, pasta, soda, and dessert you care to eat for $4.49. That sounds great to me. Of course, with my cholesterol, fat, and carb restrictions I am not sure what I would eat there - other than salad - and that is not what I would want there with all of those other good things right there for the taking. There is a Cici's in Hagerstown, Maryland - where I will be in late April. My wife suggested that we find it for lunch when we are there - but I am still not sure how we would be able to do it and not get into trouble with the doctor. It may be worth it to just chuck the worry out the door and go for the whole thing.
So Cici's advertising has me hooked. If that was what they were after, they got me. But how many other crazy food nuts are there that will seek out this place 400 miles away - especially with the increasing price of gasoline (but do not get me started on gas prices).
There is a link to Cici's website at the side of the page. Check them out and see if they are in your area. They even provide a convenient and highlighted spot on the top of their homepage to put your zipcode and find one near you. With all of this local advertising I eagerly ran there and put my zipcode in - no luck.
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8 comments:
Cici's Pizza is looking for sites in the eastern pa market. Soon you will be able to enjoy 16 different kinds of pizza; pasta, salad, dessert at low price of under $5.00. May be not 400 miles, but 120 miles. How does that sound?
Thanks
Most likely the advertising on NYC radio is the result of advertising agency placement error. If the restaurant chain doesn't catch up to the error, the agency will still earn their commission.
CiCi's is amazing.
I lived in the Baltimore Washington area a few years ago and they have a few over there.
It was 4.49 + .50 all you can eat and drink. With the smaller slices of pizza so that you can get a bite out of many dif types.
The buffet wasnt just pizza though, they had salads and pastas too.
The place was always packed and to answer your question about the radio advertisements; according to the manager I asked, Cici's is planning on slowly moving their franchises up the northeast corrider but he said it would take a few years. If they are advertising in NY Im sure its bc they plan on moving up here soon and bc lots of people from NY City travel to the Washington DC area. Word of mouth seems like the motive. Looks like they got us talking about it:-)
WABC radio in NY carries into at least 32 states, enough of which have Cici's locations, and carries ABC Radio Network programs including ABC top-of-the-hour news which likely require them to clear these spots.
I had the pleasure of eating at a Cici's in Florida with my wifes family. The selection of pizza's for the price was mind blowing. The pizza itself was good. Not gourmet but what do you expect for 4.99 per person.
What shocked us was what my sister inlaws did ... ages 18 and 23.
You can custom order pizzas and they did. Thier main game plan was dont eat the crust ... it fills you up.
when they were done there was a table piled a foot high with crusts and between the two of them they ate 6 pizzas.
I was happy to try the macaronie pizza as I had never imagined such a thing ... and it is goooood.
Just wish they were in NY.
They advertise all the time on calbe. Thier site doesnt list NY as an available opertunity for franchise.
So I guess I can hope someone is developing one nearby soon.
Unless Cici's is as foolish as Hooters in franchising .....
Ahhh where have all the Northeast Hooters gone ... I want wings... and pizza ....
Yeah, its coming...
www.myspace.com/cicispizzalehighvalley
Wonderful News! Thanks for telling us! Cici's will be coming to PA near Allentown. At last, a Cici's in an area that I frequent regularly! And a good sign that they are moving north!
I have been to cici's pizza in FL... It's unbelievable, so many different times of pizza and an amazing salad bar....
And can't forget the desert pizza....
Definatelly a place to take the family for a cheap and fun place....
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