FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2003

Pizzeria Seeks Benefit of Modeling & Analysis Services for Next Growth Phase

Houston (October 14, 2003) – Quantitative Analysis (QA) announced today that it recently added another quick-serve restaurant to its client roster, Figaro's Italian Pizza, Inc., headquartered in Salem, OR.

QA will analyze trade area and sales data of the company's current 90 locations, as well as the company's own database of site characteristics.  Upon completing the analysis and identifying the factors influencing sales, QA will develop a customized model for Figaro's to use in site selection decisions as it expands nationally from its base in the northwest.

According to Deborah Hayden, QA's president and founder, models are particularly useful when expanding from a well-penetrated market to new markets where there is less history.  "By applying learning from current locations, the model provides consistent benchmarking criteria for evaluation of new sites and new markets," she said.

Hayden also said the site characteristics database will add even more precision to model forecasts.  "Often site models focus primarily on demographics and other quantitative trade area data because companies don't quantify important site attributes such as ingress/egress, visibility, signage, and parking.  In contrast, Figaro's Pizza maintains measurements on all these site characteristics and many others that will be valuable in model development."

Ron Berger, Chairman and CEO of Figaro's Pizza said, "Given our aggressive expansion plans, the model will be a valuable site selection tool.  Reliable sales forecasts will result in better site selection and higher unit sales."

Figaro's Pizza was founded in Salem, Oregon in 1981.  With about 90 existing locations, Figaro's Pizza is the largest we-bake or you-bake pizza franchise in North America.  It is one of the country's fastest growing franchise operations, with 30-plus additional units planned for 2004.  For more information about the company, visit www.figaros.com. 

Houston-based Quantitative Analysis (QA) is an advanced statistical modeling and analysis company formed to help companies use data to make more profitable business decisions. For more information about the company, visit the company's website at www.quantitativeanalysis.com. 

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