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Born in Akron, Ohio in 1991, the world's first and only fat-free pizza
was fashioned by Steve Neid, a fitness enthusiast and
local high school Economics teacher. While health fads and
reduced fat diets have been around since the times of the
ancient Greeks, in 1991 there was no predominant method of
creating a low calorie pizza containing zero grams of fat.
Accordingly, Steve noted customer demand and undertook an
endeavor to create the first pizza that would have zero grams of
fat, and thus contain a nominal amount of calories. Immediately
the concept initiated a spur of national exposure, and became
the number one solution to dieters looking to enjoy what other
fads reprimanded.
Between 1991 and 1995, Pizza Free began producing in large
quantities and expanded operations to serve a national
audience. The company authored an agreement with a Toledo
manufacturer to streamline pizza production in large
quantities. The pizzas were heavily distributed to regional
grocery stores and national chains, such as Giant Eagle, IGA,
and Kroger’s. National media attention continued to follow,
creating a swarm of publicity and an initial boom. Local media –
Ohio’s Akron Beacon Journal and Columbus Dispatch – regularly
promoted the product; National media – USA Today, Newsweek,
Globe Magazine, and Men’s Health Magazine – followed suit.
While Pizza
Free’s concept was nationally successful, profit margins were
not. The manufacturing costs and store slotting fees were
steadily increasing, eroding at profit and operating margins.
Similarly, there was an inability to maintain quality control
specifications. As a result, in 1994, Steve discontinued
operations through the Toledo manufacturer and secured enough
necessary equipment, facilities, and investment to manufacture
Pizza Fit’n Free himself. Consequently, Pizza Fit’n Free’s
national exposure diminished, including its presence in national
grocery chains; instead, Steve focused primarily on displaying
his product at muscle fitness shows and diet seminars.
Steve’s company began to struggle due to production limitations
and cost restrictions. His distribution channels were limited,
but his concept was still in its infancy. Fully committed to
his revolutionary product, Steve began searching for alternative
methods of distributing and marketing his product. In 1998,
Pizza Fit’n Free took advantage of the Internet evolution. A
web site was created to enhance national exposure, thus leading
to increased demand again for the product.
While still located in Akron, Ohio, Pizza Fit’n Free has
steadily gained further national and international exposure,
while simultaneously striking the attention of large investors
and established companies. The Calorie King Book, Muscle
Magazine, Your Diet Magazine, and The Price Is Right – continued
to create demand. Similarly, in 2006, Pizza Free began issuing
franchising rights and has opened its first franchise as a
physical Pizza Fit’n Free store in South Africa.
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