Celentano, based in Verona, N.J., will be the primary provider for blimpie's Pasta Central QSR theme, the first two units of which opened in February. By the end of 1999, blimpie, a sub and salad chain based in New York with more than 2,000 QSR units worldwide, plans to open nine more Pasta Central units. The alliance allows Celentano to sharpen its foodservice and chain competencies, says Domenick Celentano, president of the company. Over the last several years, Celentano has introduced at the supermarket level either fresh or frozen lines under such brands as Original Recipes, Vegetarian Selects, RealMeals and Great Choice. All of the brands fulfill a need within the home meal replacement segment.
Consumers have the option of dining in or purchasing entrees to go.
Celentano's investment comes at a good time as pasta consumption grows. Reed Elsevier Inc. The Cahners logo and Prepared Foods are registered trademarks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc. Used under license. Use of this web site is subject to its Terms of Use .