Pizza Patrón To Replace Pizza Hut As AAC Exclusive Provider

American Airlines Center (AAC) officials yesterday said that Dallas-based Pizza Patrón "takes over tonight as the sole pizza purveyor" at the arena, home arena to the Mavericks and Stars, replacing former provider Pizza Hut, according to Karen Robinson-Jacobs of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Dallas-based Pizza Hut "had been the exclusive pizza provider" at AAC since '01, but AAC VP/Business Development Joe Skenderian said that Pizza Hut's contract "expired in June." Pizza Patrón has 82 restaurants, mostly in Texas and the Southwest, and "sees the new deal as a chance to boost its profile." Pizza Patrón Dir of Brand Development Andy Gamm: "This takes our community-based brand and takes it into the mainstream." Robinson-Jacobs notes Pizza Patrón "will earn royalties and a franchising fee" from Levy Restaurants, AAC's food contractor. In return, Pizza Patrón and its franchisees "will pay AAC and the two sports teams for marketing and exclusivity." Terms of the deal were not disclosed  (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/13).