On the Street

America’s Incredible Pizza Co., once based in Springfield, opened its fifth location this month in Sugar Land, Texas. The company plans to build six stores in 2006 and has sold franchises for 62 stores – 25 of them since Nov. 1. Since opening the first Incredible Pizza buffet, games and themed-restaurant in Springfield in 2002, the company has moved its corporate headquarters to Tulsa, Okla. Founder Rick Barsness still resides in Rogersville and company officials consider Springfield Incredible Pizza Co.’s home. “Springfield is still very important to us,’’ said Vice President of Marketing Leigh Choate, who is in Austin, Texas. “It represents the feel of Incredible Pizza Co.’’ Other locations are in Tulsa, and Warr Acres, Okla., and Conroe, Texas.

Another O’Reilly award

Ozarks Technical Community College has selected Springfield’s O’Reilly family of O’Reilly Auto Parts as its 2006 Excellence in Business Award recipient. O’Reilly family representatives Charlie, Larry, David and Rosalie O’Reilly Wooten will receive the award at 1:30 p.m. March 17. During the presentation, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce President Jim Anderson will moderate a conversation with O’Reilly family members. Recipients are selected based on leadership, entrepreneurial success, business growth, overcoming challenges with integrity, educational support, customer service and community enrichment. John Q. Hammons received OTC’s first Excellence in Business Award earlier this year.

Small-business voice

State officials are seeking comment from small-business owners on how state agency rules and regulations affect their operations. The Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board will hold a public hearing 1–4 p.m. Jan. 5 in the Governor Office Building, Room 450 in Jefferson City. Written testimony will be accepted if sent by Dec. 30 to PO Box 118, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or sbrfb@ded.mo.gov. Those wishing to present oral testimonies must register by Jan. 2 using the form on the board’s Web site, www.sbrfb.ded.mo.gov, or by calling (866) 719-1401. Small businesses are defined as having less than 100 employees. The board, led by chairman Scott George of Mid-America Dental & Hearing Center in Mt. Vemon, plans to host a series of public hearings across the state and submit recommendations and agency evaluations to the governor and legislature.

Slice of Nice

Young patients are receiving an unexpected post-holiday treat during their visits to Springfield Regional Center. Kids Wish Network, in Oldsmar, Fla., shipped toys worth approximately $60,000 to the facility. The national charity is dedicated to improving children’s quality of life, sending toys to clinics across the country though its Holiday of Hope Gift Bank Program. Springfield Regional Center, 1515 E. Pythian, is part of the Division of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, established in 1967.