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2011 Archived ULGNO News
Public Notice - February 2011: In March of 2011, The Urban League of Greater New Orleans will begin construction of a 10,500 sq. ft. Head Start Center at 2800 Desire Parkway in New Orleans Louisiana.
The Head Start Center is a federally funded project therefore, preference will be given to Section 3 businesses for sub-contracting opportunities, pursuant to the requirements of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, 12 U.S. C. 1701u (Section 3). The purpose of Section 3 is to ensure that employment and other economic opportunities shall, to the greatest extent feasible, be directed to low- and very-low income persons, particularly persons who are recipients of HUD assistance for housing.
PIZZA HUT ANNOUNCES $10 MILLION INVESTMENT IN NEW ORLEANS AND BATON ROUGE
Partnership with National Urban League and the Urban League of Greater New Orleans to Create ‘Model Markets’
Dallas, TX (January 5, 2011) – Pizza Hut, Inc. today announced a groundbreaking plan to create model markets in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The two cities will become flagship markets for the Company as it invests $10 million or more over the next 18 months to establish state of the art restaurants to serve the community. The Company is working in partnership with the National Urban League and the Urban League of Greater New Orleans to establish urban renewal and economic empowerment in these communities.
“Pizza Hut is totally committed to making our restaurants in New Orleans and Baton Rouge the best in the country. We will build brand new restaurants over the next 18 months, replacing all existing restaurants with state of the art facilities to best serve our customers,” said Scott Bergren, President of Pizza Hut. “We are very pleased to partner with the National Urban League and believe our investment is both good business, and will stimulate economic development.”
In past years, the Company’s franchisee for the two markets had operated Pizza Hut restaurants in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The owner was unable to meet serious financial obligations to federal, state and local taxing authorities – as well as other corporate obligations left unpaid. As a result, these franchised Pizza Hut restaurants in the two markets have closed and will not reopen.
Pizza Hut, Inc. has begun to identify optimum locations and will immediately begin building brand new state of the art restaurants in those new locations. Once the restaurants are opened and operating, it will work with the National Urban League to seek a new franchisee for the markets. In the short term, displaced employees will be offered job counseling, training, career placement and other forms of assistance by the Urban League of Greater New Orleans, which also serves the Baton Rouge market. Pizza Hut has committed to spend $1 million with the National Urban League and the Urban League of Greater New Orleans for this training and counseling. Long term, the Company is committed to rehiring former employees as the new restaurants come on line. Until then, they have been directed to contact the Department of Labor to seek available benefits as a result of their employment status. Former franchisee Larry Lundy has agreed to help the Company with its transition to a model market in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and will serve on a contractual basis with the Company for the next five years.
“We are pleased and honored to partner with Pizza Hut as they revitalize New Orleans and Baton Rouge with a significant investment in the community and conduct extensive employee training, job counseling and placement,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League.
“Pizza Hut’s investment is an additional shot in the arm to revitalize New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and will help create jobs and stimulate the economy,” said Nolan Rollins, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater New Orleans.
About Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut delivers more pizza, pasta and wings than any other restaurant. The only pizza company to be named a top ten franchise in 2009 by Entrepreneur Magazine, Pizza Hut began 50 years ago in Wichita, Kansas and today operates nearly 10,000 restaurants in more than 90 countries. Pizza Hut, Inc. is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM). To check out what's new at Pizza Hut visit Pizzahut.com.
About the National Urban League
The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City, the National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy. Today, there are more than 100 local affiliates in 36 states and the District of Columbia, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people nationwide. Visit online at www.nul.org or www.iamampowered.com
About the Urban League of Greater New Orleans
Founded in 1938, the Urban League of Greater New Orleans is one of over 100 affiliates of the National Urban League. The Urban League exists to improve the social and economic well-being of African American and other emerging communities. The Urban League's three Centers of Excellence offers programs and services in education and youth development, economic and workforce development and public policy and advocacy. For more information, visit us online at www.urbanleagueneworleans.org.