CHRIS TIERNEY TAKES SECOND PLACE IN THE NATIONAL PIZZA COMPETITION IN JAPAN

Chris Tierney, Owner of Chris' Pizza Americana, in Nagasaki took second place in the nationally televised Pizza Competition in Tokyo Japan.

Tokyo, Japan -- October, 30, 2003 -- Chris Tierney, owner of Chris Pizza Americana in Nagasaki Japan, took second place in the nationally televised TV Champions Pizza Shokunin Senshuken (Pizza Competition). Chris beat out many competitors to secure one of the six places in the competition. It consisted of three rounds, with competitors getting eliminated at each round.

The first round was a taste test . Chris creative Halloween half & half pizza, made in the shape of a skull, took first place to advance with three other competitors to round two.

Round two consisted of three skills tests. Chris used his many years of experience with Dominos Pizza to smoke the competition in the speed and accuracy test to advance with the two remaining competitors to the final round.

The final round was a nine hour sales competition held on the outskirts of Tokyo. Chris brought along his wife, Chika, and younger brother, Colin, to help out. TV Tokyo, the competitions sponsor, outfitted three identical stores on an outdoor plaza. After the first sales count, Team Chris Pizza was in third place, but with a quick change of strategy, they moved into second at the next count, and were climbing towards first when they ran out of time. The proceeds from the three stores sales was then donated to charity.

It was a tough competition, but I think I can win next year", Chris said afterward. Back in Nagasaki, sales at Chris Pizza are going strong and Chris is looking to expand his business with five new locations over the next 2 years.