Feature

John’s Pizza provides Incredible experiences for one and all

By Joe Dyton


When John’s Incredible Pizza Co. creator and CEO John Parlet decided to build a 16,000 sq.ft. pizza parlor in Victorville, CA, people told him he was crazy.  

Parlet’s “craziness” then led him to build another one in Bakersfield, CA at 26,000 sq.ft. and then another in Fresno, CA, which occupies 50,000 sq.ft. Now that Parlet’s been able to do the “impossible,” he’ll be opening another 50,000 sq.ft. location, which will be part of Canyon Crossings, a 740,000 sq.ft. shopping center that is currently under construction in Riverside, CA. Parlet enjoys proving something can be done when others say it can’t. 

Thanks to his willingness to defy the odds, Parlet has opened six John’s Incredible Pizza Co. stores throughout CA. The other locations include Stockton, Modesto and Montclair. Families now have a place to go to enjoy pizza and entertainment at the same time. The pizzeria offers an all-you-can eat buffet that includes a full salad bar, two soups, which flavors rotate daily, different pastas and sauces that also change daily, macaroni and cheese, desserts, which include cheesecake, Jell-O and ice cream and of course pizza. John’s offers a long list of pizza toppings, which include peanut butter, Alfredo, nacho cheese, BBQ beef, fiesta, cheeseburger and Calabrese, along with traditional combinations like veggie, meat lovers and Hawaiian.  

On the entertainment side, the pizza parlors feature virtual games, real bumper cars, air hockey, amusement rides, video games and redemption games. Each John’s location features a unique attraction, such as laser tag, bowling, miniature golf, twister rides and Bear Necessities, a workshop where  guests can pick an animal to stuff and dress and take home with them. 

John’s offers party packages for just about every situation. The pizzeria offers three main party packages for children of all ages. They range from $10.99 to $19.99 per person. The party packages include access to John’s Incredible Buffet, with an unlimited beverage bar, Fun World Credits, which can be used to play the games in the entertainment centers, a free ride and redemption tickets, a party attendant, party invitations and games and music. The guest of honor will receive extra free redemption tickets and a special gift from JP the Incredible, the pizzeria’s “Out of this World” mascot. Parties are held for groups of 10 people or more, who will also get to enjoy a private party room, decorations and the use of the television and VCR. Parties are limited to an hour and 45 minutes. 

The tour package allows children to see how the entire pizza making process is done; from rolling the dough to cutting the slices. They’ll even get to make and eat their own personal pizza. All the while, everyone gets to play his or her favorite games and enjoy John’s Incredible Fun World. The tour packages includes a 6” pizza, which is made by the child, a small drink, ice cream, four Fun World credits, one free amusement ride and an official “Pizza Maker” certificate.    

For the night owls, John’s is more than happy to offer Lock-In parties, where the store stays open after hours so groups can enjoy its food and have a good time. Parties have access to all of John’s facilities. The package includes all-you-can eat pizza, breadsticks and ice cream, an unlimited beverage bar, Fun World Tokens/Credits and amusements and games. 

While the festivities at John’s Incredible Pizza seem to run non-stop, the pizzeria is more than just a party zone. The stores also host corporate meetings, retirement and award ceremonies and receptions. The conference rooms offer free use of its podium, television, large projection screen, VCR and dry eraser board. Guests will also have access to the laptop link and motivational library. The rooms are available for two hours and the rental fee is waived with the purchase of a lunch, dinner or package purchase. Cinnamon rolls and coffee are also provided. Prices and sizes of conference facilities differ for each John’s location. 

John’s Incredible Pizza Co. is looking to open locations and occupies spaces of 45,000 sq.ft. to 50,000 sq.ft. Preferred demographics include a trade-area population of 400,000 within 10 miles. The company plans to expand throughout CA and then into other states. It hopes to open two to three units annually and operate15 pizza parlors by 2007.  

For more information, contact John Parlet, John’s Incredible Pizza Co., 1 Orchard Road, Suite 135, Lake Orchard, CA; 949-916-2000, Fax 949-916-2600; Web site: www.johnspizza.com.