Pizza Fusion Expands Eco-Friendly Dining Franchise to Saudi Arabia

Published March 31, 2009

Pizza Fusion, the casual dining chain of restaurants that lays claim to having the only LEED-certified pizzerias in the U.S., plans to open a franchise in Saudi Arabia.

The company announced today that a master franchise development agreement has been signed between Pizza Fusion Holdings Inc. and Samir Food Co. Ltd. for the pizzeria's first international location.

The deal lays the foundation for Pizza Fusion restaurants throughout the kingdom. The first is to open in Jeddah in June. Other sites are planned for Jeddah and Riyadh City.

Pizza Fusion's LEED-certified restaurant in Palm Beach Gardens.

Samir Food Co. Ltd. is part of the Samir Group, based in Jeddah, which distributes and represents more than 60 multinational companies.

Pizza Fusion chose to partner with the firm because "Samir Food has shown to be a solid candidate with demonstrated business expertise and a socially conscious mindset," Randy Romano, executive vice president of sales for the Florida company, said in a statement.

Established in 2006 in Fort Lauderdale, Pizza Fusion now has 19 locations in the United States. The company recently received LEED Gold and Silver ratings for restaurants in Palm Beach Gardens and Weston, both in Florida.

One of the company's hybrid delivery cars.

Pizza Fusion builds its restaurants to LEED standards, delivers its food in company-owned hybrid vehicles and offsets 100 percent of its energy use with the purchase of renewable wind energy certificates.

The decor includes countertops made of used glass bottles from Pizza Fusion sites, non-volatile organic compound paints, Energy Star-certified appliances, ceiling baffles fashioned from recycled composite board, low voltage lighting and furniture made from reclaimed wood.

A sampling of salads.

Building materials include insulation made from recycled blue jeans and 30 percent "recaptured" industrial concrete. The restaurants' paper products, utensils and food containers are made from recycled materials, and customers who bring back used pizza boxes for recycling get discounts.

In addition to its environmentally friendly facilities, Pizza Fusion promotes its "green" meal choices: Organically produced foods make up 75 percent of its menu. The restaurant also offers gluten-free pizza, brownies and beer and vegan selections.

_{All images courtesy of Pizza Fusion}

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