Flancer’s Incredible Sandwiches and Pizzeria will hold its 12th annual Pizza-Eating Contest and Raising the Fun fund-raising events, with the Pizza-Eating Contest set for 11 a.m., on Sunday, April 22, on the outdoor patio at Flancer’s Gilbert restaurant. located at 610 N. Gilbert Road.
“Last year, we raised over $33,000, and this year, we are determined to reach for even more,” said an excited Jeff Flancer, owner of Flancer’s. All proceeds will benefit Warfighter Sports/Disabled Sports USA, a nonprofit organization established to allow the war injured to participate in sports-related rehabilitation programs.
You can sign up for the Pizza-Eating Contest at the Gilbert restaurant location, or at the Mesa location, 1902 N. Higley Road. Contestants better have big appetites. Last year’s winner, Chuin Jimmy Peng, of Scottsdale, downed more than 16 pieces of an 18-inch pizza during the 15-minute event to win the $500 first prize.
Registration starts on March 15. The entry fee, which includes a limited edition T-shirt, is $30, on a first-come, first-serve basis for the first 25 registrants. An overflow waiting list is maintained until contest time. The winner, who must be an Arizona resident, will be crowned by Miss Arizona 2011 Brittany Brannon. There is no admission to come out and watch the fun.
Tickets for exciting raffle prizes also can be purchased at Flancer’s restaurants from March 15 through April 22. Tickets are $5 each, or five tickets for $20. All prizes are worth $1,000 or more, and winners need not be present to win at the April 23 drawing.
Other planned fund-raising events are Smokes and Barrels-Microbrew and Cigar pairing, on Wednesday, April 11; and Spill the Wine, Eat That Cheese-Wine and Cheese tasting, on Wednesday, April 18.
“Local business sponsors provide prizes for the raffle and silent auction,” said Jeff. “Many local businesses are major participants year after year, such as Ben Franklin Plumbing, Shamrock Foods, Alliance Beverage and others.” He encouraged everyone to get involved in supporting this important program. Businesses wishing to find out more about participating as a sponsor, or donating to the event, can contact Jeff at (480) 326-9077 or at jeff@flancers.com. Sponsor information also is available under
“Since 2005, Flancer’s restaurants in Mesa and Gilbert have raised more than $100,000 for Warfighter Sports,” said Executive Director Kirk M. Bauer, JD. We sincerely thank Flancer’s and all involved in the pizza-eating fund-raiser for the continued support, enabling Disabled Sports USA to serve thousands of severely injured service members, including those in Arizona, to rebuild their lives through participation in sports alongside their families, free of cost.”
According to Kirk, contributions allow Iraqi/Afghanistan war veterans, who have lost limbs, to participate in a skiing or sports-related rehabilitation program soon after their tragedy. The focus is on new possibilities and self-confidence, and is a springboard for starting a positive new future.
For updated information, to buy tickets, or to sign up, visit or call the Mesa restaurant at (480) 396-0077, or the Gilbert location at (480) 926-9077. You also can check out the Web site at www.flancers.com. For more information on the Warfighters project, go to dsusa.org.