U.S. and Canadian Troops in the Middle East to Enjoy 6,000 Pizzas Thanks to DHL Express, Pizzas 4 Patriots and UNO®

PLANTATION, Fla. & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DHL Express, the world’s leading cross-border express services provider, is joining forces with Pizzas 4 Patriots, a non-profit organization and UNO’s, the creator of the deep-dish pizza, to deliver 6,000 pizza pies to thousands of U.S. and Canadian soldiers just in time for U.S. Independence Day, July 4^th and Canadian Independence Day, July 1^st.

“Our troops have told us how much enjoyment it brings to receive a taste of home, and that is what this program is all about. It's a way to show our appreciation for all they do.”

Over the last three years, Pizzas 4 Patriots and DHL Express have delivered more than 60,000 pizza pies to U.S. servicemen and women stationed all over the world. The idea was initiated in 2008 by Ret. Master Sergeant Mark Evans and his 15-year-old son, Kent, while eating pizza and wondering if they could somehow deliver freshly-frozen Chicago-style pizzas to soldiers overseas. Not long after, Evans contacted General Petraeus who quickly granted permission to send over 2,000 pizzas to troops for the Fourth of July.

With the support of DHL Express, 6,000 ready-to-bake, deep-dish pizzas from UNO’s, and Romeoville, Illinois-based Great Kitchens, will be packed and loaded into a donated DHL cargo jet a week before Independence Day, then shipped to troops stationed at several military bases in Afghanistan.

“As a retired member of the military I know firsthand what this special care package will mean to our U.S. and Canadian service members serving in those faraway places,” said Evans. “We are so thankful to DHL Express for stepping up year after year and donating their services to deliver a slice of home to those men and women serving their countries.”

As the first international air express carrier to serve Iraq and Afghanistan, DHL supports the U.S. Department of Defense at these locations and around the globe. Its extensive global network and service capabilities, coupled with a "first in market" approach enables DHL to provide support that is second to none for US servicemen and women worldwide.

“Our ability to bring reminders of home to Servicemen and women in the farthest reaches of the world is a testament to the great teamwork, expertise and can-do spirit displayed daily by DHL staff around the world,” said Ian Clough, CEO of DHL Express U.S. “As the Specialists in International shipping, DHL Express is honored to leverage its global network and transport this special shipment to lift the spirits of servicemen and women based in the Middle East.”

“We are happy to partner, once again, with Pizzas 4 Patriots and DHL in sending our troops a taste of home this Fourth of July,” said Frank Guidara, UNO’s CEO and Vietnam Veteran. “Our troops have told us how much enjoyment it brings to receive a taste of home, and that is what this program is all about. It's a way to show our appreciation for all they do.”

About Pizzas 4 Patriots

Pizzas 4 Patriots is a non-profit organization with the mission of making a positive difference in the lives of our service men and women. We proudly support those patriots presently serving, as well as our wounded Veterans. It is our goal to provide our Armed Forces with unique gifts from home. We have been fortunate to receive donations, ranging from financial to products and services, from individuals, families, corporations, and other organizations, all wanting to show appreciation for the sacrifice of our brave troops. Our goal is to bring a little bit of home to the troops, and show them that they are supported by the country and residents who enjoy the freedoms that they provide for us. For more information on our programs, please visit: www.Pizzas4Patriots.com.

DHL – The Logistics company for the world

DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and “The Logistics company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 275,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting climate protection, disaster management and education.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 51 billion euros in 2010.

For more information: www.dhl-usa.com.

ABOUT UNO’S

Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation includes over 150 company-owned and franchised restaurants located in 24 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Honduras, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and approximately 9,000 employees worldwide. Based in Boston, UNO’s mission is to deliver intensely flavorful, delicious and nutritious food in an environment of heartfelt hospitality, and was named America’s Healthiest Chain Restaurant by Health magazine. The Company also operates a fast casual concept called Uno Dué Go, a quick service concept called Uno Express and a consumer packaged foods business which supplies airlines, movie theatres, hotels, airports, travel plazas, schools and supermarkets with both frozen and refrigerated private-label foods and Uno branded products. For more information, visit www.unos.com.