(Franchise Buy) - By . Updated May 1, 2011

Straw Hat Pizza ranks in top 500 Franchises with Social Media Savvy

SAN RAMON, Calif., April 1, 2011 -- Straw Hat Pizza, the original 'California Pizza' since 1959, announced it has earned the 185th spot on the '2011 Franchises in Social Media Ranking: Franchises on Facebook' by franchisehelp.com. According to the ranking, Straw Hat Pizza is named as one of the top 500 companies which are considered 'Social Media Savvy.' The ranking analyzes the social media savvy of franchisors according to the footprint they have achieved across the major social media channels.

As part of the criteria to be included in the Facebook 500, companies must not only have a significant number of Facebook 'Fans,' but cannot be listed without having received the distinction of making the Entrepreneur Magazine rankings for 2011. Major Pizza competitors were not listed because of this fact.

'Our Straw Hat Pizza franchisees who take seriously their customers' expectations and who strive to maximize their investment in the brand, believe that social media outreach is absolutely an essential marketing and promotions activity,' said Jonathan Fornaci, president, Straw Hat Pizza. 'We are proud to be in the top ranking and thank our fans!'

The social media ranking, meant to be a study of franchisors' effectiveness on social media, not the capabilities of individual franchisees, is based on the top 500 franchisors according to their total number of 'Facebook Likes.'

Straw Hat Pizza has been making waves and fresh genuine California pizza since 1959. Using California vine-ripened tomatoes and local produce, hand-shredded cheeses and dough fresh rolled daily, their pizza is fresh and delicious. With a menu of Gourmet Masters Pizzas, Hot Hat™ Stuffed Sandwiches, and a forty-plus item garden fresh salad bar, guests have been enjoying the food as well as the family-friendly atmosphere for more than five decades. Today, fifty-plus years later, Straw Hat Pizza is still making waves and Genuine California Pizza with the freshest ingredients. It's not a trend; it's a history as genuine as their California pizza.

Besides great pizza the fifty two year old company is growing with new locations opening in Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, New Jersey, and California. Growth plans are to reach 150 locations within two years. For more information please visit: www.strawhatpizza.com and please friend us on Facebook.

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