stephenmayes Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 (edited) Everyone who goes to PKI knows that Larossa's is the Pizza sponsor of the park. But my question is how long is their contract with PKI? They have been there as long as I can remember, and I just know that other popualar cincy pizza companies would love to sell their product to the mass visitors that PKI has (e.g. Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Little Caesers, Donatos, etc) . So my question is will anyone ever take over the Pizza at PKI, or will Larossa'a rule forever. I looked back and I didnt see anything like this...sorry if it is a repeat..but im curious steve Edited January 1, 1970 by stephenmayes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 I don't know how long LaRasa's has been the official pizza of PKI, but it hasn't been forever. If you watch the episode of the Brady Bunch which they're at KI, they walk past what we know as Rivertown LaRosa's, and it just says "Pizza". Of course, this could have been changed just for the filming due to legal technecalities, but I kind of doubt that. Reguardless, the PKI deal was what launched LaRosa's into its level of popularity, so you may guess that PKI got a sweet deal out of it. At that, if people keep buying it, they'll keep selling it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryler87 Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 Reguardless, the PKI deal was what launched LaRosa's into its level of popularity, so you may guess that PKI got a sweet deal out of it. At that, if people keep buying it, they'll keep selling it. Don't fix it if it ain't broke. Why change something that makes the park and LaRosa's eyes light up with dollar signs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magic41445 Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 You know some of my best memories of going to the park when I was a child was sitting next to the fountain eating a Larosa's peperoni pizza..and I'm sure that many others who have grown up with the park have similar fond memories. So yeah it would be a sad day in the unlikely case when Larosas is no longer present in the park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenmayes Posted January 27, 2004 Author Share Posted January 27, 2004 I forgot to place my opinion in the post. I hope and pray that Larossa's stays for a very long time. I love their pizza, and being from Northern Ky, it is definitly the best pizza from the hometown...I love it... Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crosscountry4891 Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 I love Larossa's except I don't like to spend that much money on pizza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beastfreak Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 ...and I just know that other popualar cincy pizza companies would love to sell their product to the mass visitors that PKI has (e.g. Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Little Caesers, Donatos, etc).. Most contracts with the park are more than one year long. So, I do not know when LaRosa's started their last contract with the park, nor do I know when it is up. Even if it is to expire.. you say you don't know what other hometown pizza would go in. None of those places you listed are "hometown" pizza, they are national chains. Though like fryler said... if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The park makes a ton of money off selling that pizza. Why change? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SixFlagsMasta Posted January 27, 2004 Share Posted January 27, 2004 yea the la rosa's pizza is better than like all of the other pizza chains out there. i would hate to see them go. that's like the only place i eat when at PKI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzarley Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 I have some general questions about PKI food service, that I bet some of you will know the answer to... Are all of the F&B outlets sourced out to outside companies, does PKI operate them internally, or is it a hybrid (some are leased out, some are PKI-operated)? If they're leased out, is the contract given to a single company that runs all F&B outlets (like Sodexo or Host-Mariott in airports), or are the individual units leased individually? And, finally...does anyone know how the bidding process works? Sorry for all the questions, and thanks in advance. Joel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterrz Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 (edited) As far as I know, all the restaurants in PKI are operated by PKI and PKI employees, with the exception of Madarin Cuisine. I believe that the park franchises the chains that are in the park, Skyline, LaRosa`s, Montogmery Inn, Subway, and Bubba Gump`s Shrimp Shack. I know for a fact that these eateries are run by park employees, and sometimes volunteers when they are short of workers (I volunteered and ended up working at Subway the Friday before Labor Day.) As for the hamburgers, fries and other miscellaneuos stuff, I don`t know who their food service provider is. Someone who worked in foodservices would know more than me. Also, from what I remember hearing somwhere, LaRosa`s was not going to be the pizza served at PKI. Instead, when they were building the park, they wanted a piza chain from Dayton in the park. However, that chain didn`t want to pay the money the park wanted. LaRosa`s was willing to and hence we have LaRosa`s pizza in the park. Also, I do believe that LaRosa`s has always been in the park. The Rivertown PIzza building has always and still does just say "Pizza" on the outside. Edited January 1, 1970 by CoasterRZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beastfreak Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 I have some general questions about PKI food service, that I bet some of you will know the answer to... Being the Food & Beverage guru, I can help to the best of my abilities. The majority of all restaurants and food locations are run by the park themselves. Seeing as how the depertment is run by a chef... doesn't really make sense to source that out. Now, unfortuenetly with the lack of workers at times and low revenues in certain stands, we don't see it fit to run it ourselves. This way more concentration can be focused on the bigger stands. So we do source a few small places out to outside companies, who hire their own people and give us a share of the profits. Now, they are not all sourced out to the same company. One company is more specialized in cart and vending sales so they will do that. Another company is more geared toward deserts and beverages, so they do that. I really have no idea how the bidding for these contracts go about. I do not know if these companies approach Kings Island or it works the other way around. I just know that both side agree upon where they will take over, what they will sell, and how much money the one company will give to the other. Most contracts are only good for a year, but good working relationships last. The names of stands means nothing about who runs them. These "brand" names are franchised out and the park of course then gets to use them under certain guidelines. Any stand with a "brand" name will use food from those companies unless we sell additional items that are not offered from that company. The other stands which are more generic names (ie Festhaus, Magilla's) that food is just through a normal food distributer like any other company would use. In reality even the big "brand" names use some things that are through common distributers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzarley Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Beastfreak & CoasterRZ-- Thanks for the information. You've answered all my questions :-) Joel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenmayes Posted January 29, 2004 Author Share Posted January 29, 2004 Are these "hired" in associates uniformed the same way in the PKI uniform? Or do they wear the company that is working the stands uniform? Just some more useless info...haha.. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beastfreak Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 They were wear whatever uniform their company requires, as long as it still falls close to the PKI wardrobe. ie Polo shirt and no jeans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenmayes Posted January 29, 2004 Author Share Posted January 29, 2004 Ok Thanx for the info Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DegenRider Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Thus the WCT saves the day again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drewbari Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 I agree with fryler87. Is LaRosa's any where else? They do not have them in Central Indiana. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraderJake Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 (edited) LaRosa's Restaurants are strictly a Cincinnati Thing. Granted, there is one in Batesville, IN, but most of them are in Cincinnati. It's one of the perks of living in the region, as LaRosa's is the best. (what can I say, I am a West Sider, we're supposed to love LaRosa's) As so many people have said, why change something that isn't broken? LaRosa's is good, and it makes the park oodles of cash. Sounds like a win-win scenario for everyone, doesn't it? Edited January 1, 1970 by TraderJake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenageninja Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 Let me add my 2 cents. I like the taste of Larosas pizza, but god why does it smell so bad. I don't think I'd be too upset if another chain took over pizza in PKI, but I doubt that'll happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterrz Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 I love the smell of LaRosa`s. Nothing can beat strolling toward The Beast or Tomb Raider and catching the smell of LaRosa`s pizza lofting from Rivertown Pizza. I don`t think the park should replace LaRosa`s. Kings Island and LaRosa`s are both Cincinnati traditions. Why woule we want the park to get ride of more of its local flavor for more corporate theming and branding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzarley Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 I have to agree...I love the taste and smell of LaRosa's. Whenever I'm in Cincinatti (which isn't all that often anymore) I always go to LaRosas. (I also always stop at the BP and get a big bag of BBQ Grippos...which are by far the best chips ever made! <G>). A former co-worker of mine always thought that LaRosas should market a frozen version of their pizza for sale in grocery stores, and co-brand it with Kings Island. ("The Pizza Kings Island Made Famous" or something). LaRosas could expand their market share, and PKI could use the box for advertising, coupons, etc. I think if rolled out regionally (OH/IN/WV) it would be a success. Joel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterrz Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 I really don`t think that LaRosa`s was made famous entirely by PKI. Yes, PKI has helped them become popular among out of towners and tourists, but most locals have know the chain, which incidentally is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fryler87 Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 (edited) LaRosa's Restaurants are strictly a Cincinnati Thing. Granted, there is one in Batesville, IN, but most of them are in Cincinnati. It's one of the perks of living in the region, as LaRosa's is the best. (what can I say, I am a West Sider, we're supposed to love LaRosa's) I live just south of Dayton (Centerville), and LaRosa's put in a new restaurant in just about a year ago, and let me tell you...every time I have gone there, whether it's for dine-in or carry-out, there's ALWAYS a wait. I've heard that they plan on adding a few more Dayton-area stores to see what happens. I think that PKI has greatly boosted the exposure of LaRosa's pizza around the area. I will say that without their connection in the park, they wouldn't be in the same place they are today; however the park is not the sole reason LaRosa's has become greatly famous... The pizza is great - it's unique and original. It will NEVER lose money operating at PKI. Edited January 1, 1970 by fryler87 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DA RIPPER Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 Has anyone notice the pizza at PKI always taste better than in the LaRosa's restaurants? I've brought it to people at work here and everyone agreed to. wonder whats the difference is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenmayes Posted February 3, 2004 Author Share Posted February 3, 2004 Larossa's are all over the Greater Cincinnati area. In Southeastern Indiana, Northern Ky, and all over Cincinnati, and even up in Oh up by Dayton. Larossa's are pretty much just cincinnati but once you have had it once you want to have it again. So Larossa's will slowly expand all over Ohio. Has anyone notice the pizza at PKI always taste better than in the LaRosa's restaurants? I've brought it to people at work here and everyone agreed to. wonder whats the difference is? I have always felt the same way. The reasoning I place behind this is because you are so hungry and wore out after a day at the park that anything will taste better. You just want food. Plus PKI bombards you everywhere you go with the smell of great food. So you are craving whatever you are gonna eat. Therefore it taste better!! I actually think there may be more effort into making the Pizza's in a regular Larossa's. I have noticed by watching at PKI that the Pizza's are sorta just thrown together... Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DegenRider Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 (edited) Im gonna have to disagree there. Larosas in the stores is MUCH better than larosas in the park. I dont think frozen would work either. Frozen skyline tastes bad! Canned skyline isnt much better. Edited January 1, 1970 by sobrider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SixFlagsMasta Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 well it must be REALLY good it the stores cause it's already great in the parks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DegenRider Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 Im eating some right now and it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZ Kinda Guy Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 (edited) Am I the only one who notices a huge difference in the quality of Oscars LaRosas compared to inside the park LaRosas? In park LaRosas is so much better when you don't get it at Oscars. Edited January 1, 1970 by AZ Kinda Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DegenRider Posted February 3, 2004 Share Posted February 3, 2004 You should know that Oscars is like the crap left over from last season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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