America's Incredible Pizza Company facts for kids
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| Industry | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Springfield, Missouri, U.S. |
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Area served
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United States, Mexico |
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Key people
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Rick Barsness Founder & CEO, Cheryl Barsness Founder |
| Products | Pizza |
| Revenue | $64.1 million |
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Number of employees
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1,200 |
America's Incredible Pizza Company (AIPC) is a super fun American restaurant chain. It started in Springfield, Missouri, USA. These restaurants are famous for their all-you-can-eat pizza buffets. They are also huge entertainment centers where families can have a blast! The very first AIPC restaurant opened its doors in Springfield in 2002. Today, the company has about 1,200 employees.
Contents
The Story of Incredible Pizza
America's Incredible Pizza Company is based in Springfield, Missouri. It was started by a couple named Rick and Cheryl Barsness. Before AIPC, they were already in the pizza business. They owned 11 Gatti's Pizza restaurants by 1975.
How the Idea Began
The idea for AIPC came from Rick Barsness himself. When Rick was in high school, he played hockey. His team even made it to the state championships! But his dad never came to watch him play. This made Rick dream of a special place. He wanted a place where families could eat yummy food and have fun together. It was the kind of place Rick wished he could have shared with his own father.
Growing the Company
In 2003, AIPC started letting other people open their own Incredible Pizza restaurants. This is called franchising. The company's main office was first in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Later, in 2009, it moved to Springfield, Missouri.
Starting an AIPC restaurant costs a lot of money, usually between $5 million and $9 million. Each restaurant also needs about 250 employees to run everything smoothly.
One AIPC location at Lafayette Square Mall in Indianapolis closed down on March 19, 2012.
What You'll Find at Incredible Pizza
As of May 2021, there are 9 Incredible Pizza locations still open in the United States. There are also 3 locations in Mexico.
Fun Themes and Food
When you visit AIPC, you'll notice a cool 1950s theme. The music and decorations will make you feel like you've stepped back in time!
AIPC offers a huge buffet with lots of choices. You can enjoy:
- Delicious pizza (they have about 30 different kinds!)
- Tasty pasta
- A fresh salad bar with 80 different items
- Sweet desserts
There are different places to sit and eat. These include the Starlite Drive In, the Family Room, the Diner, and the Gym.
Games and Activities
AIPC restaurants are very big, usually about 65,000 to 70,000 square feet. That's a lot of space for fun! The restaurants are also smoke-free and don't serve alcohol.
After you eat, you can play tons of games and do exciting activities like:
Helping Others: The IPC Foundation
In 2007, Rick and Cheryl Barsness started the Incredible Pizza Company Foundation (IPC Foundation). Their goal was to help missionaries and orphanages.
For example, in February 2008, the IPC Foundation gave $24,000 to Convoy of Hope. This is a group that helps people in need. In September 2008, the Foundation also gave $6,500 to Care to Learn. This fund helps students in Springfield Public Schools.
Racing Fun: NASCAR Sponsorship
America's Incredible Pizza Company was a main sponsor for a NASCAR Nationwide Series racing team called CJM Racing. This happened in 2008 and 2009.
On June 17, 2008, Jason Keller, who drove the Incredible Pizza car, visited the opening of a new AIPC restaurant in Mesquite, Texas. In 2008, the racing team finished in 17th place.
Later in 2008, CJM Racing and AIPC teamed up with another racing group, Joe Gibbs Racing. This partnership included NASCAR driver Scott Lagasse Jr.. He finished 13th in the No. 11 America's Incredible Pizza Company Chevrolet car in October 2008. The sponsorship ended in December 2009.
Awards and Recognition
In 2008, America's Incredible Pizza Company received a big award. It was named a "Top Family Entertainment Center of the World" (TFEC). This award came from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). It means AIPC was one of the top five entertainment centers in the whole world!
Also in 2008, Inc magazine listed AIPC as the 456th fastest-growing company in the United States. In their list of the Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies, AIPC was ranked 12th. This was because it had grown by an amazing 693.1%!
See also
- List of buffet restaurants
- List of pizza chains of the United States
