America's Incredible Pizza Company facts for kids
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A now closed AIPC at Lafayette Square Mall in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2018.
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Trade name
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Incredible Pizza Company (United States) America's Incredible Pizza Company (Mexico) |
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| Private | |
| Industry | Restaurants |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founders | Rick Barsness Cheryl Barsness |
| Headquarters | Springfield, Missouri, U.S. |
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Number of locations
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8 (2024) |
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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 (often called AIPC) is a restaurant chain in the United States. It started in Springfield, Missouri. These restaurants are famous for their pizza buffets. They are also big entertainment centers where families can have fun. The first restaurant opened in Springfield in 2001. The company has about 1,200 employees. It earns around $64.1 million in revenue.
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History of Incredible Pizza
America's Incredible Pizza Company was founded by Rick and Cheryl Barsness. They started in the pizza business with one restaurant in Victoria, Texas. By 1975, they owned 11 Gatti's Pizza restaurants.
Rick Barsness had a special idea for AIPC. When he was in high school, he played hockey. His team made it to the state championships. But his father never came to watch him play. This made Rick dream of a place where families could eat and have fun together. He wanted to create the kind of place he wished he could have shared with his own father.
In 2003, AIPC began to offer franchises. This means other people could open their own Incredible Pizza restaurants. The company's main office was first in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2009, it moved to Springfield, Missouri.
Each AIPC restaurant usually has about 250 employees. It costs between $5 million and $9 million to open a new restaurant. One AIPC location in Indianapolis closed on March 19, 2012.
What You'll Find at Incredible Pizza
When you visit an AIPC, you'll notice a fun 1950s theme. The music and decorations will make you feel like you've stepped back in time. AIPC offers a buffet with many choices. You can find pizza, pasta, salad, and desserts.
There are different places to sit and eat. These include the Starlite Drive In, Family Room, Diner, and Gym. The restaurant offers 30 kinds of pizza. There is also a huge salad bar with 80 different items. An AIPC restaurant is usually very large. It covers about 65,000 to 70,000 square feet. All AIPC locations are smoke-free and do not serve alcohol.
Besides food, there are lots of activities. You can play games in the arcade. There are also go-karts, billiards, bowling, and miniature golf.
Incredible Pizza Company Foundation
In 2007, Rick and Cheryl Barsness started the Incredible Pizza Company Foundation (IPC Foundation). Their goal was to help others. The foundation donates money to missionaries and orphanages.
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 IPCF also donated $6,500 to Care to Learn. This fund helps students in Springfield Public Schools.
NASCAR Sponsorship
America's Incredible Pizza Company used to sponsor a NASCAR racing team. They sponsored the number 11 CJM Racing car. This was for the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008 and 2009.
On June 17, 2008, Jason Keller was the driver of the Incredible Pizza car. He attended the opening of a new Incredible Pizza restaurant in Mesquite, Texas. In 2008, the team finished in 17th place. In July 2008, CJM Racing and AIPC worked with Joe Gibbs Racing. This partnership included NASCAR driver Scott Lagasse Jr.. He finished 13th in the No. 11 America's Incredible Pizza Company Chevrolet race 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). This means AIPC was among the top five entertainment centers globally.
Also in 2008, AIPC was recognized by Inc magazine. It was listed as the 456th fastest growing company in the United States. In the Inc. Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies list, AIPC was ranked 12th. It showed a huge growth of 693.1%.
See also
- List of buffet restaurants
- List of pizza chains of the United States
