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i i By Henry Bury THE INTELLIGENCER Mitch Panciuk believes in supporting the community where he does business. That's why he sponsors local athletic teams and holds fundraising events for different charitable causes. The owner of the Boston Pizza franchise in Belleville has now been recognized nationally for that community support. Boston Pizza International Inc. has awarded Panciuk and his Belleville operation the Local Store Marketing Award for eastern Canada. The award, presented at an awards gala held in late March in Hawaii, is given to the franchisee that has developed the best local store marketing program by showing consistent focus and execution with positive results over the entire year. "I'm so proud that we are able to bring recognition to Boston Pizza as a franchise that supports the communities that we are located in," said Panciuk. "It's a feather in our cap that a restaurant in Belleville is able to compete wjth the best in Canada. And it's nice to get that recognition." Panciuk noted the award is even more special because the Belleville restaurant has only been in business for about 18 months. Boston Pizza opened on Bell Boulevard in November of 2001, becoming the 16th location in Ontario. There are 21 locations now in Ontario. The Canadian company has more than 160 restaurants -- the majority in western Canada -- and had sales last year in excess of $300 million. Panciuk said it only makes good business sense to play an active role in the community. "I'm a firm believer that you support the community that you do business in and, in turn, that gives us their support. It's a winwin situation," he said. Boston Pizza is a major sponsor of various local sports teams like the Belleville Bulls, Belleville Panthers football team, Quinte Triple A Red Devils and Loyalist College athletics and also advertises with them to promote attendance at their games. He also helps with door prizes and holds fundraising events. On Valentine's Day, for example, he sold heart-shaped pizza and raised almost $750 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. "I live in this community and I believe it's the responsibility of business to ensure that this community is promoted and stays a strong environment," said Panciuk. "We do our best to help as many groups as possible with the limited resources we have." Stephen Plunkett, Boston Pizza's vice-president of marketing, said the Belleville restaurant is deserving of the national honour. "The Boston Pizza Marketing Award recognizes the business expertise, standards of excellence and personal enthusiasm that our franchisees demonstrate day in and day out," he said. "These qualities ensure Boston Pizza's continued growth as a national industry leader and strong partner in our local communities." /I, a