Pizza Pizza Thanks Canadians for 50 Years with Throwback Pricing

This year marks Pizza Pizza‘s 50th anniversary and, to celebrate, Canada’s leading pizza chain is holding a nation-wide party and serving up slices at 1967 prices while also raising money for children’s hospitals.

On Tuesday, October 17, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Canadians can walk into any traditional Pizza Pizza location across the country and order a cheese or pepperoni slice and a can of Coke for only $1.50 – the menu price when the first Pizza Pizza location opened its doors in 1967. Not only will pizza lovers get to enjoy a delicious slice at an incredible price, they’ll also be contributing to the Slices for Smiles Foundation. A percentage of the proceeds from the day’s promotion will go to the Foundation that supports Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in Canada.

“It’s been an honour to serve Canadians for fifty years,” says Pat Finelli, Chief Marketing Officer at Pizza Pizza and an employee of the company since 1984. “Thanks to our customers, franchisees and partners, who have allowed us to be the best in the business. We’re looking forward to many more years of leadership, innovation and community service.”

The first Pizza Pizza location opened December 1967 on the corner of Wellesley and Parliament streets in the heart of Cabbagetown, Toronto. The first restaurant stands at the same location today and, the company, including its sister brand Pizza 73, now counts more than 500 franchise partners across 750 locations and has helped to create more than 6,000 full and part-time jobs in communities across the country.

The October 17 festivities will also serve as the official kick-off for the Slices for Smiles campaign, an annual fundraiser that helps to collect funds and raise awareness for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) and its 14 member hospitals in Canada. From October 18 to October 22, Pizza Pizza will sell a smiley-faced medium cheese and pepperoni pizza for $5, with proceeds going to CMN. With the help of its loyal and generous customers, Pizza Pizza aims to surpass the $3 million mark in total funds raised for CMN to date.

“The partnership Pizza Pizza has with us is but one example of the great work they do in local communities across the country,” says Ameera Virani, representative for Children’s Miracle Network. “Since we’ve been partners, Pizza Pizza has raised more than $2.5 million for children’s hospitals. On behalf of all of the children who count on the services of our member hospitals, I wish to thank Pizza Pizza, its franchise owners and customers for their amazing support.”

Since 1967, Pizza Pizza has been a leader in Canada’s quick-service restaurant industry with notable firsts and innovations. The company was among the first in its pizza class to do such things as eliminate non-natural trans-fats and artificial colours and flavours from its menu. It is also known for the introduction of a time guarantee on delivery, invention of the insulated pizza delivery bag, as well as the implementation of a centralized call centre and phone number. The company is also associated with its iconic jingle, 967-11-11 which debuted in 1976 and was even rumoured to be an occasional Canadian passport interview question.

Pizza Pizza has already had a busy year of 50th birthday celebrations through which it has been thanking customers with special offers and giveaways including a big screen TV for Super Bowl, a diamond ring for Valentine’s Day, a Dream Canadian Vacation for Canada 150 and, later this month, the company will be sending a lucky winner to the MLB World Series. Just recently, Pizza Pizza reintroduced its famous “Crack the Cardboard” contest from the ’90s with more than $4 million in prizes including cars, cash trips, TVs and food. The throwback pricing and Slices for Smiles campaign, all taking place during National Pizza Month, is the culmination of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary year.

Pizza Pizza is encouraging customers to help celebrate the anniversary and share their love for pizza by posting photos to its social media channels using the hashtag: #PizzaPizza50 and tagging @PizzaPizzaLtd!

For more information, visit www.pizzapizza.ca.

About Pizza Pizza Limited
For 50 years, Pizza Pizza Limited has been guided by a vision to provide the “best food, made especially for you” with a focus on quality ingredients, customer service, continuous innovation and community involvement. With more than 750 locations across Canada, the company is Canada’s pizza pioneer and a quick-service restaurant leader, operating two banners – Pizza Pizza and Pizza 73 – that deliver quality food choices, diverse menus and exciting promotions for all tastes, lifestyles and budgets. Visit www.pizzapizza.ca and www.pizza73.com for more information.