Dr. Schar launches the Bontà d’Italia Partner Program in the U.S.

The company, a global leader in gluten-free food, partners with wholesalers and restaurants to meet the growing U.S. demand for trusted, gluten-free dining out options.

LYNDHURST, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dr. Schar USA, Inc. (www.drschar.com), a subsidiary of Dr. Schär AG/SPA, the European market leader in gluten-free foods, is proud to announce the U.S. launch of the Bontà d’ Italia Partner Program, a foodservice offering that will ultimately extend the company’s gluten-free pizza to restaurants nationwide. In partnership with Sysco (www.sysco.com), a global leader in the distribution of food products to restaurants, Dr. Schar’s gluten-free, healthy, Italian-style pizza will first be made available to participating restaurants in Chicago. Famed North Side Chicago restaurant chain, D’Agostino’s Pizza and Pub (www.dagsdelivers.com), known for their pizza and traditional Italian dishes since 1968, is the first participating account to offer Dr. Schar gluten-free pizza, launching the program on February 22, 2013 at its Park Ridge, Illinois location.

“The only treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong strict gluten free diet. For those with gluten sensitivity and other gluten related disorders, physicians and nutritionists recommend adopting a gluten-free diet as a way to manage symptoms and side effects”

“We are excited to offer the the Bontà d’ Italia Gluten-Free Pizza Program to the foodservice industry in the United States. Our partnership with Sysco will extend our delicious gluten-free foods to consumers with dietary restrictions. The opportunity to expand restaurant offerings will undoubtedly help improve and support the gluten-free consumer,” said Donna George, President and COO of Dr. Schar, USA.

"We are excited about the opportunity to launch this program in our restaurants. We see this as a huge market that has not been tapped and we want to be able to do it right in order to truly take care of these customers. The training we received from Dr. Schar is what sets this apart from any other program we looked at," commented General Manager Greg Sellers of D’Agostino’s Pizza and Pub.

As a leader in gluten-free foods, Dr. Schar offers programs that aim to increase the awareness and proper treatment of celiac disease and gluten-sensitivity. Currently an estimated 12 million Americans are following a gluten-free diet due to celiac disease, gluten-intolerance and gluten-sensitivity; and this number is expected to grow given low levels of awareness and diagnosis. “The only treatment for celiac disease is a lifelong strict gluten free diet. For those with gluten sensitivity and other gluten related disorders, physicians and nutritionists recommend adopting a gluten-free diet as a way to manage symptoms and side effects,” says Schar USA Director of Nutritional Services, Anne Lee, MSEd, RD, LD. The launch of Dr. Schar’s Bontà d’ Italia Gluten-Free Pizza Program in the United States will enable foodservice companies to meet the growing demand for safe, gluten-free foods served outside the home.

First launched by the parent company, Dr. Schär AG/SPA, in Italy, the Bontà d’ Italia Gluten-Free Pizza Program has grown to achieve successful partnerships with over 400 pizzerias throughout Italy. The U.S. launch will apply the same vital principles of the Italian program, to ensure foodservice partners deliver a tasty, healthy and gluten-free dining experience without the worry; exactly what consumers have learned to trust from Dr. Schar and its products.

The guiding principles of the the Bontà d’ Italia Gluten-Free Partner Program include:

1) Delivering a high-quality, trusted gluten-free product:

Dr. Schar offers a pre-baked pizza base made from raw materials that have been carefully sourced and undergoes a rigorous packing and sealing process to mitigate gluten cross-contamination. Sysco will sell and distribute the pre-baked pizza bases across the country in support of the program.

2) Training restaurant management and staff:

Restaurant staff will be trained to achieve compliance with gluten-free food preparation, safety of product, and serving of the gluten-free pizza through a local Dr. Schar trainer. Additionally, Dr. Schar offers educational materials such as “how-to” videos, kitchen posters and continued on-site staff training programs.

3) Integrated marketing support:

Dr. Schar offers comprehensive marketing support that includes online and offline touchpoints such as point-of-sale, custom menu development, database marketing to consumers living within proximity of participating restaurants, and co-marketing efforts with local celiac organizations.

DR. SCHAR USA

Dr. Schar USA, Inc. (www.schar.com), is a subsidiary of Dr. Schar, the market leader in Europe offering the widest array of gluten-free products. A trusted household name, Schar is backed by over 30 years in the marketplace and a world-class team of food technologists, dietitians, and scientists.

The company provides the celiac and gluten sensitive communities a flavorful selection of quality, gluten-free and trusted products, marketed in the US under the Schar brand name, so that they may lead a carefree, pleasurable life. With a commitment to delivering worry-free dining experiences for the celiac and gluten sensitive communities, the company opened its first ever USA manufacturing facility dedicated to producing gluten-free breads in New Jersey this past June.

Learn more about Dr. Schar USA, Inc. and its product line by visiting: www.schar.com or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/scharglutenfree and Twitter: www.twitter.com/scharglutenfree.

ABOUT DR. SCHÄR AG/SPA – GLUTEN FREE SPECIALIST

Dr. Schar Group ( www.drschaer.com ), a vanguard company with over 30 years of history is the market leader in Italy and Europe in gluten-free . Dr. Schär was born in the 20’s, but launched in 1981 under the leadership of its President, Ulrich Ladurner, and following a reorganization became in a only a few decades the most advanced competitor in its business segment. Today, the company is based in Postal, Italy, and has a turnover of more than € 200 million, with 630 employees and offices in Germany, England, Spain and the USA. In Europe, its market share has been estimated at approximately 35 to 40 percent.

One of its most important initiatives is that of Dr. Schar Foodservice, which meets the diverse needs of the channel away from home, both in Italy and abroad through a wide range of products and services including the Bonta d’ Italia Gluten-Free Pizza program, a network of more than 400 restaurants and pizzerias offering a full gluten-free menu since 2004.

Please visit www.glutenfreeroads.com, a worldwide platform dedicated to travel, allowing you to plan your route and listing hotels, restaurants and shops where gluten-free products are offered.

ABOUT SYSCO

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the food service and hospitality industries.

ABOUT D’AGOSTINO’S PIZZA AND PUB

D’Agostino’s Pizza and Pub has been successfully serving and delivering pizzas, traditional Italian dishes, and much more to residents of the north side of Chicago since Joe and Jan D’Agostino opened the doors in 1968. Currently there are 5 locations: Wrigleyville, River West, Glenview, Park Ridge, and Wheeling – see www.dagsdelivers.com for addresses and phone numbers.

Press releases and high-resolution images can be found at www.drschaer.com/presse.