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Restaurant Industry News
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Wednesday January 7th, 2009 |
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Uno Chicago Grill First National Chain to Debut Gluten-Free Pizza
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Uno Chicago Grill(R) is the nation's first casual dining chain to offer a gluten-free pizza, currently testing the new menu item in its Northeastern Region. |
The new pizza debuts during Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month (November) and has received a very positive reaction from guests who suffer from celiac disease, which affects approximately one percent of the population(1).
Uno Chicago Grill, recently lauded as America's Healthiest Chain Restaurant(2), has added cheese and pepperoni pizzas to what is already one of the most extensive gluten-free menus available for a casual dining chain. This is good news to the estimated three million Americans diagnosed with celiac disease, as well as an additional seven million Americans who have a wheat intolerance or allergy and rely on gluten-free foods. While awareness of celiac disease is rising, an estimated 97 percent of those who have it remain undiagnosed(3).
"Food allergies are a very serious, sometimes life-threatening, issue for many Americans," notes Uno's(R) Executive Chef Christopher Gatto. "Pizza is our signature product, and we wanted to offer a gluten-free pizza so all of our guests could enjoy it when dining at Uno."
Gatto explained that it took over a year of research and development to find just the right recipe for a brand that is known for its iconic pizza. "While we want to meet the needs of guests with allergies, we never forget that we are about great taste and choice, and that means developing new dishes that are healthful without sacrificing great flavor."
The company that was the first to develop deep-dish pizza in 1943 is still full of innovation. Uno Chicago Grill works closely with its Nutrition Advisory Board, which meets quarterly to discuss trends and solutions to improve the quality and nutritional value of its menu. The board includes world-class physicians with expertise in coronary disease, weight management, and other food/health related issues. Uno CEO Frank Guidara oversees the Advisory Board and brings his expertise as a member of the Harvard School of Public Health Nutrition Roundtable.
The new gluten-free pizza is being tested at Uno Chicago Grill locations in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Massachusetts (excluding Worcester, Springfield/Holyoke, and Dedham).
"Thus far, indications have been extremely favorable, and sales are exceeding our expectations," notes Rick Hendrie, senior vice president of marketing for Uno. "We hope to roll it out to all stores in 2009."
According to the Gluten Intolerance Group, surveys show that about 15 to 25 percent of consumers report looking for gluten-free products, far more than need to.
(1) National Institutes of Health (http://celiac.nih.gov/)
(2) Health Magazine, April, 2008 issue.
(3) http://www.gfutah.org/Press%20ReleaseGlutenConferenceFinal.pdf
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