Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, has hired three researchers from OpenAI to bolster his company’s work on artificial intelligence. This strategic move aims to guide Meta Platforms through its current AI challenges. The social-media corporation brought aboard Lucas Beyer, Alexander Kolesnikov, and Xiaohua Zhai, all of whom previously held positions at OpenAI’s branch in Zurich, as per sources privy to this information. These individuals established OpenAI’s location in Zurich towards the end of last year. Prior to their time at OpenAI, they collaborated closely within Google DeepMind, which is the organization’s artificial intelligence division. A representative from OpenAI verified that the three scientists have departed from the organization. Zuckerberg has been on an intense recruiting drive To correct the company’s AI initiatives following the underwhelming reception of its most recent model, he has sometimes proposed giving researchers up to $100 million to become part o...
Eating all-you-can pizza, salad, pasta, and dessert seems like an excellent idea for a restaurant theme. That’s precisely what the American buffet-chain Cicis Pizza has been providing since 1985 — at least, until recently when the company underwent changes. one of the popular pizza chains to declare bankruptcy . Four years later, the franchise chain is now experiencing a resurgence.
In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, U.S. buffets and sit-down restaurants had to close their doors almost instantly due to health and safety reasons. This directly affected establishments like Cicis Pizza. Restaurant Dive , 86% of CiCi’s revenue relied on customers dining in, so you can picture how much damage the dine-in closures inflicted on their profitability. The company reported revenues of $177 million in 2019, which plummeted to $76 million in 2020. All-you-can-eat restaurants do not necessarily serve top-quality cuisine. , and these ideas have become less popular recently. Prior to the pandemic, sales and patron visits were already decreasing at Cicis.
Lower sales, $81 million in debt, and the pandemic shutdown led to the chain declaring bankruptcy in January 2021. Surprisingly, just two months later, Cicis re-emerged under new ownership of D&G Investors (who had already purchased the debt and converted it to equity), with a new president and franchise owner to revive the chain.
Read more: 10 Frostbitten Pizzas to Avoid at All Costs
What to Anticipate From Cicis Pizza's Comeback After Bankruptcy
Cicis Pizza was originally created with an emphasis on in-person dining experiences, which made the business particularly vulnerable when the pandemic struck. Despite efforts to transition towards online orders and deliveries at the height of the crisis, adapting away from their famous buffet proved difficult. Nonetheless, the brand has since concentrated on enhancing its digital capabilities, including improving reservation-based pickup services and integrating third-party food delivery options.
As for the buffets? Great news—they’re staying put with some enhancements. The dining space will include expanded gaming zones to attract more family groups. In honor of their 40th-anniversary celebration earlier this year, Cicis reintroduced the beloved $4.99 all-you-can-eat adult buffet rate temporarily. Additionally, every Monday and Tuesday offer a special $5.99 deal for unlimited pizza, pasta, and salad through June 30; prices at the standard buffet vary depending on the location but typically hover around $8.99.
Although Cicis Pizza reached its peak in the early 2000s with more than 600 outlets nationwide, it currently runs just 273 stores. In the U.S., it’s definitely not One of the biggest pizza franchises Currently ranking as the 16th largest in terms of both location count and revenue, streamlining operations through reduced outlets enables this franchised chain to return even more robust and resilient. This transformation shifts their focus from a failed all-you-can-eat restaurant model to becoming an inclusive dining and recreational venue for families.
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