Misplaced Pages

Pizza Ranch: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 02:18, 23 February 2012 editWill Beback (talk | contribs)112,162 edits Automatic reference titling and consolidation using reflinks, add cofounder← Previous edit Latest revision as of 13:35, 13 January 2025 edit undo2600:6c5d:5100:7e6:75bf:69ed:1552:6704 (talk)No edit summary 
(258 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American fast casual pizza chain}}
⚫ {{Infobox Company |
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2018}}
⚫ company_name = Pizza Ranch |
⚫ {{Infobox company
⚫ company_type = ] |
⚫ | name = Pizza Ranch, Inc.
foundation = ], ] (1981) |
| logo = Pizza Ranch logo.svg
⚫ location = ], ] |
| logo_size = 220px
key_people = Adrie Groeneweg, President and co-founder<ref name="usbusiness" /> <br>Lawrence Vander Esch, co-founder<ref>{{cite news|title=Why Romney didn't dine at a 'Ranch'|first=Dave |last=Dreeszen |date=January 8, 2012 |url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/mobile/article_da1646b2-2ef7-58fa-994e-f44b559baa0d.html|work= Sioux City Journal}}</ref>|
| image = Grand-Island-Exterior-night DSC9676.jpg
⚫ num_employees = |
| image_caption = ] restaurant
⚫ industry = ]|
⚫ | type = ]
⚫ products = ], ] |
| founders = Adrie Groeneweg<br />Lawrence Vander Esch
revenue = |
| num_locations = 217
⚫ homepage = {{URL|http://www.pizzaranch.com/}}
⚫ | industry = ]
⚫ | products = ], ]
| key_people = {{ubl|Adrie Groeneweg (], ] & Owner)|Jon Moss (])|Scott Post (])}}
| revenue = {{US$|138.121|link=yes}}&nbsp;million<ref name="hoovers">{{cite web |url=http://www.hoovers.com/company-information/cs/revenue-financial.Pizza_Ranch_Inc.c2e067013e534ffa.html |title=Pizza Ranch Inc Revenue and Financial |publisher=Hoovers |access-date=2016-02-09}}</ref>
⚫ | num_employees =
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1981}}, in ], U.S.
⚫ | location = ], U.S.
⚫ | homepage = {{URL|pizzaranch.com/}}
}} }}


'''Pizza Ranch, Inc.''', founded in 1981,<ref>{{cite web|last=Dreeszen|first=Dave|title=Pizza Ranch to add Sioux City location|url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/business/local/pizza-ranch-to-add-sioux-city-location/article_9012b9b2-9537-50ed-8f50-1326d99ae5ee.html|publisher=]|access-date=May 1, 2014|date=September 12, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Askew|first=John|title=Meanwhile at the Pizza Ranch…|url=http://www.iowastatedaily.com/article_426f5f75-55f2-5396-b0aa-09ef620162ef.html|publisher=]|access-date=May 1, 2014|date=September 17, 2007|archive-date=September 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925025912/http://www.iowastatedaily.com/article_426f5f75-55f2-5396-b0aa-09ef620162ef.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> is a ] ] ] restaurant chain with more than 200 locations. It specializes in pizza and chicken.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kennedy|first=Wally|title=Range Line to be home of still more pizza|url=http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x967393883/Wally-Kennedy-Range-Line-to-be-home-of-still-more-pizza|publisher=]|access-date=2014-05-01|date=2013-11-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Korbelink |first=Jeff |date=2014-02-27 |title=Pizza Ranch offers pizza and chicken |url=http://journalstar.com/entertainment/dining/pizza-ranch-offers-pizza-and-chicken/article_30697ced-2e32-5459-a11f-aafeb1764942.html |access-date=2014-05-01 |publisher=]}}</ref>
'''The Pizza Ranch, Inc.''', founded in 1981,<ref name="beefboard"></ref> is a "]" restaurant chain. Pizza Ranch offers pizza, chicken, a salad bar, and a pizza and chicken buffet.<ref name="usbusiness">http://www.usbusiness-review.com/content/view/1259/102/</ref> Pizza Ranch has over 160 locations<ref name="sheb">{{Citation| last = Lintereur| first = Josh| title = Former Ponderosa restaurant will soon become Pizza Ranch| newspaper = Sheboygan Press| date = February 24, 2010| url = http://www.sheboyganpress.com/article/20100224/SHE0101/2240397/Former-Ponderosa-restaurant-will-soon-become-Pizza-Ranch| accessdate = March 2, 2010
}}</ref> in ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Pizza Ranch is the largest regional pizza franchise in Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota.<ref name="usbusiness" />


Pizza Ranch has over 200 locations<ref>{{cite news |last1=Eggmeier |first1=Pam |date=2017-01-22 |title=Pizza Ranch set to open Monday in Sterling |url=http://www.prairieadvocate.com/2017/01/22/pizza-ranch-set-to-open-monday-in-sterling/akaxh53/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213090211/http://www.prairieadvocate.com/2017/01/22/pizza-ranch-set-to-open-monday-in-sterling/akaxh53/ |archive-date=2017-02-13 |access-date=2017-02-12 |work=The Prairie Advocate}}</ref> in ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="gearino">{{cite web|last=Gearino|first=Dan|title=Pizza Ranch gets state loan for move|url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/pizza-ranch-gets-state-loan-for-move/article_0fa360f1-14d6-5bb8-8621-2825675d270e.html|publisher=Sioux City Journal|access-date=2014-05-01|date=2005-11-18}}</ref><ref name="oechslin">{{cite web|last=Oechslin|first=Russ|title=Pizza Ranch grows into eight states|url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/business/pizza-ranch-grows-into-eight-states/article_5ce011a2-adc0-58d3-af59-44a2dd925664.html|publisher=Sioux City Journal|access-date=2014-05-01|date=2008-04-27}}</ref>
⚫ == History ==


Pizza Ranch is a Christian-based company.<ref name="blaze">{{cite web |last=Dreeszen |first=Dave |date=2012-01-07 |title=Pizza Ranch again blazes trail to White House |url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/business/local/pizza-ranch-again-blazes-trail-to-white-house/article_9e2fab6e-dfa6-5648-91ec-9a0001ac6c47.html |access-date=2014-05-01 |publisher=Sioux City Journal}}</ref><ref name="LATimes" /> The Pizza Ranch vision is "To glorify God by positively impacting the world we live in ."<ref name="LATimes"/>
The first restaurant was in ].<ref name="beefboard" />


Because Iowa has the first ] for ], Pizza Ranch's more than 70 locations in Iowa are a frequent stop for presidential candidates, particularly ] due to the chain's conservative bent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trump picks up the tab and the Pizza Ranch endorsement |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-picks-up-the-tab-and-the-pizza-ranch-endorsement/ |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=2016-01-16 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/08/11/431611133/pizza-ranch-fueling-campaigns-on-cheese-and-chicken|title=Pizza Ranch: Fueling Campaigns On Cheese And Chicken|last1=Masters|first1=Clay|publisher=]|quote=Many of the Republican presidential candidates have a hefty goal in Iowa ahead of its first-in-nation caucuses: make a campaign stop in all of the state's 99 counties. Along the way, presidential hopefuls are turning to the Iowa-based restaurant chain Pizza Ranch, whose ubiquity and inexpensive cuisine have made it a staple of the caucus campaign trail.|date=2015-08-11|accessdate=2022-06-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hafner |first1=Josh |title=To scarf up Iowa votes, candidates' first stop is pizza |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/05/04/pizza-ranch-circuit-iowa/26864215/|quote=But candidates of all political stripes visit Pizza Ranches: Democrat Hillary Clinton was the first to set foot in one ahead of 2008, according to Des Moines Register data. Democrats Joe Biden, John Edwards, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson also appeared at Pizza Ranches for their '08 campaigns. |access-date=2022-06-05 |work=] |date=2015-05-04}}</ref>
Pizza Ranch has grown over the years and now has franchises in ten states. Pizza Ranch's specialty is their pizza, and chicken.<ref name="usbusiness" /> Their headquarters, formerly located in ] are currently located in ].<ref name="usbusiness" />


⚫ ==History==
Pizza Ranch is a ] based company.<ref name="sheb" /> This can be seen on their mission/vision posters in their restaurants and on their website. The Pizza Ranch vision is "To glorify God by positively impacting the world we live in."<ref></ref>
In 1981, Pizza Ranch was founded by Adrie Groeneweg and Lawrence Vander Esch.<ref name="LATimes">{{cite web|last=Semuels|first=Alana|title=Easy as pie: Iowa's campaign trail runs through Pizza Ranch|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-dec-26-la-na-pizza-ranch-20111227-story.html|work=]|access-date=2014-05-01|date=2011-12-26}}</ref><ref name="lynch"/><ref name="dreeszen"/> The first restaurant location opened on December 21, 1981, in ].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Viccaro|first1=Eric|title=In part, Madsen owns local Pizza Ranch spot|url=http://www.ncppub.com/pages/?p=226|access-date=2014-07-05|work=Sioux County Index Reporter|publisher=New Century Press|date=2010-05-26|archive-date=2014-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714131755/http://www.ncppub.com/pages/?p=226|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Turner|first=Terry|title=Pizza Ranch opens in Sergeant Bluff|url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/business/pizza-ranch-opens-in-sergeant-bluff/article_2de8392c-f906-5cff-8bbc-5e4fbb8b201f.html|publisher=Sioux City Journal|access-date=2014-05-01|date=2004-03-04}}</ref>


In 1983, two years later, the second Pizza Ranch opened in ].<ref name="schlak">{{cite book|first1=Doug|first2=Tim|last2=Schlak|first3=Greta |last3=Grond|first4=Sarah|last4=Kaltenbach|last1=Anderson|title=Orange City: Images of America|date=2014|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=9781467111584|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FfwZAwAAQBAJ&q=pizza+ranch+orange+city+1983&pg=PA125}}</ref>
The chain has become a popular stop for ] during the ].<ref name=wsj>{{cite news|last=Yadron|first=Danny|title=Pie in Sky: The Iowa Pizza Circuit|newspaper=]|date=December 24, 2011|page=A6}}</ref>


In 2001, Vander Esch left the company after being arrested and sent to ] for ] involving fraudulently obtaining ] samples of his ] employees under the pretense of a ] study. The charges were later vacated on a technicality, but Vander Esch did not return to the company.<ref name="lynch">{{cite news |last1=Lynch |first1=James Q. |title=Pizza Ranch is new territory for Bush campaign adviser |url=https://www.thegazette.com/news/pizza-ranch-is-new-territory-for-bush-campaign-adviser/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |work=Cedar Rapids Gazette |date=2015-03-08 |quote=Lawrence Vander Esch from Sioux County spent time in prison on charges that he sexually abused male employees. ... In addition, the charges against Vander Esch, who was released from prison in 2006, have been vacated by a district court judge citing an Iowa Supreme Court ruling. Vander Esch, Kochel pointed out, is no longer with the chain of 180 restaurants across the Midwest.}}</ref><ref name="dreeszen">{{cite news|title=Why Romney didn't dine at a 'Ranch'|first=Dave |last=Dreeszen |date=2012-01-08 |url=http://siouxcityjournal.com/blogs/eye_on_business/why-romey-didn-t-dine-at-a-ranch/article_da1646b2-2ef7-58fa-994e-f44b559baa0d.html|work= Sioux City Journal|access-date=2014-05-01}}</ref>
== Menu ==


In 2005, the chain's headquarters, formerly located in Hull, Iowa, moved to Orange City, Iowa.<ref name="gearino"/><ref name="oechslin"/>
Customers have two options; ordering off the menu or (at designated times) eating from the buffet.


In 2008, the 'Pizza Ranch strategy' was first noted in ] at the ]; Huckabee went on to win the caucuses despite being a longshot candidate.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Adam Wren |title=The Iowa Pizza Chain That Explains How Our Politics Became So Dysfunctional |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/01/13/iowa-pizza-chain-dysfunctional-politics-00135095 |website=] |access-date=2024-04-14 |date=2024-01-13}}</ref>
The menu features standard pizzeria items: Cheesy Ranch Stix, various options of pizza (including specialities like Texan taco, round up, bronco, and bacon cheeseburger), cactus bread(dessert pizza) and Buffalo wings. Pizza Ranch also offers a salad bar, as well as "Crispy Ranch Chicken" (the company's own recipe for ] chicken), several wraps, broasted potatoes, chicken fingers, waffle fries, ranch chips, and mashed potatoes and gravy (in some locations). The buffet features the above mentioned items, and may include local specialties daily.

In 2024, an Iowa man achieved the feat of visiting every Pizza Ranch location in existence.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kealey |first1=Kate |title=This Iowa man has eaten at every Pizza Ranch - all 224 of them |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/dining/2024/10/30/iowan-jason-halkias-visits-all-224-pizza-ranch-restaurants/75917243007/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |work=The Des Moines Register |date=2024-11-30}}</ref>

==See also==
⚫ * ]
{{portalbar|Iowa|Companies}}


== References == == References ==
{{Reflist}} {{reflist|1}}

==Bibliography==


== External links == == External links ==
* {{official website}}
*


{{Pizza chains|state=}} {{Pizza chains|state=collapsed}}


] ]
⚫ ]
⚫ ]
⚫ ]
] ]
]
] ]
⚫ ]
] ]
]
⚫ ]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 13:35, 13 January 2025

American fast casual pizza chain

Pizza Ranch, Inc.
Grand Island, Nebraska restaurant
Company typePrivate
IndustryRestaurants
Founded1981; 44 years ago (1981), in Hull, Iowa, U.S.
FoundersAdrie Groeneweg
Lawrence Vander Esch
HeadquartersOrange City, Iowa, U.S.
Number of locations217
Key people
ProductsPizza, chicken
RevenueUS$138.121 million
Websitepizzaranch.com

Pizza Ranch, Inc., founded in 1981, is a Midwestern fast casual buffet restaurant chain with more than 200 locations. It specializes in pizza and chicken.

Pizza Ranch has over 200 locations in Iowa, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Tennessee, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Pizza Ranch is a Christian-based company. The Pizza Ranch vision is "To glorify God by positively impacting the world we live in ."

Because Iowa has the first caucus for US presidential primary elections, Pizza Ranch's more than 70 locations in Iowa are a frequent stop for presidential candidates, particularly Republicans due to the chain's conservative bent.

History

In 1981, Pizza Ranch was founded by Adrie Groeneweg and Lawrence Vander Esch. The first restaurant location opened on December 21, 1981, in Hull, Iowa.

In 1983, two years later, the second Pizza Ranch opened in Orange City, Iowa.

In 2001, Vander Esch left the company after being arrested and sent to prison for sexual abuse involving fraudulently obtaining semen samples of his teen employees under the pretense of a prostate study. The charges were later vacated on a technicality, but Vander Esch did not return to the company.

In 2005, the chain's headquarters, formerly located in Hull, Iowa, moved to Orange City, Iowa.

In 2008, the 'Pizza Ranch strategy' was first noted in Mike Huckabee's campaign at the 2008 Republican caucuses; Huckabee went on to win the caucuses despite being a longshot candidate.

In 2024, an Iowa man achieved the feat of visiting every Pizza Ranch location in existence.

See also

Portals:

References

  1. "Pizza Ranch Inc Revenue and Financial". Hoovers. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  2. Dreeszen, Dave (September 12, 2012). "Pizza Ranch to add Sioux City location". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  3. Askew, John (September 17, 2007). "Meanwhile at the Pizza Ranch…". Iowa State Daily. Archived from the original on September 25, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  4. Kennedy, Wally (November 23, 2013). "Range Line to be home of still more pizza". Joplin Globe. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  5. Korbelink, Jeff (February 27, 2014). "Pizza Ranch offers pizza and chicken". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  6. Eggmeier, Pam (January 22, 2017). "Pizza Ranch set to open Monday in Sterling". The Prairie Advocate. Archived from the original on February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  7. ^ Gearino, Dan (November 18, 2005). "Pizza Ranch gets state loan for move". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  8. ^ Oechslin, Russ (April 27, 2008). "Pizza Ranch grows into eight states". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  9. Dreeszen, Dave (January 7, 2012). "Pizza Ranch again blazes trail to White House". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  10. ^ Semuels, Alana (December 26, 2011). "Easy as pie: Iowa's campaign trail runs through Pizza Ranch". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  11. "Trump picks up the tab and the Pizza Ranch endorsement". www.cbsnews.com. January 16, 2016. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  12. Masters, Clay (August 11, 2015). "Pizza Ranch: Fueling Campaigns On Cheese And Chicken". NPR. Retrieved June 5, 2022. Many of the Republican presidential candidates have a hefty goal in Iowa ahead of its first-in-nation caucuses: make a campaign stop in all of the state's 99 counties. Along the way, presidential hopefuls are turning to the Iowa-based restaurant chain Pizza Ranch, whose ubiquity and inexpensive cuisine have made it a staple of the caucus campaign trail.
  13. Hafner, Josh (May 4, 2015). "To scarf up Iowa votes, candidates' first stop is pizza". USA Today. Retrieved June 5, 2022. But candidates of all political stripes visit Pizza Ranches: Democrat Hillary Clinton was the first to set foot in one ahead of 2008, according to Des Moines Register data. Democrats Joe Biden, John Edwards, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson also appeared at Pizza Ranches for their '08 campaigns.
  14. ^ Lynch, James Q. (March 8, 2015). "Pizza Ranch is new territory for Bush campaign adviser". Cedar Rapids Gazette. Retrieved July 31, 2023. Lawrence Vander Esch from Sioux County spent time in prison on charges that he sexually abused male employees. ... In addition, the charges against Vander Esch, who was released from prison in 2006, have been vacated by a district court judge citing an Iowa Supreme Court ruling. Vander Esch, Kochel pointed out, is no longer with the chain of 180 restaurants across the Midwest.
  15. ^ Dreeszen, Dave (January 8, 2012). "Why Romney didn't dine at a 'Ranch'". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  16. Viccaro, Eric (May 26, 2010). "In part, Madsen owns local Pizza Ranch spot". Sioux County Index Reporter. New Century Press. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  17. Turner, Terry (March 4, 2004). "Pizza Ranch opens in Sergeant Bluff". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
  18. Anderson, Doug; Schlak, Tim; Grond, Greta; Kaltenbach, Sarah (2014). Orange City: Images of America. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781467111584.
  19. Adam Wren (January 13, 2024). "The Iowa Pizza Chain That Explains How Our Politics Became So Dysfunctional". Politico. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
  20. Kealey, Kate (November 30, 2024). "This Iowa man has eaten at every Pizza Ranch - all 224 of them". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved December 8, 2024.

Bibliography

External links

Pizza chains (list)
International
Regional
Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
South America
Oceania
Master franchisees
List articles
Companies portal
Categories: