Pizza chains offer Valentine’s promotion ideas

Toronto – Canadian pizzerias are making the most of the Valentine’s Day by offering heart-shaped pizzas. Here’s a look at how Boston Pizza and Pizza Pizza are celebrating the big day and what you can do to romance your customer.

Pizza Pizza is inviting its customers to “Share a ‘pizza your heart’ this Valentine’s Day” by purchasing a Valentine’s Delight Pizza.

The special pizza is equivalent in size to a traditional 12-inch medium pizza and can be personalized with any two toppings for $11.49. For a limited time, the Valentine’s Delight Pizza will come with a free two-for-one Cineplex movie admission.

The chain also is selling a Valentines-Veggie-Delight Pizza.

“There is something comforting about sharing a hot and cheesy pizza with the ones you love,” said Pat Finelli, chief marketing officer for Pizza Pizza, in a news release. “Whether it’s a romantic dinner for two or a light-hearted surprise for a friend, the Valentine’s Delight Pizza can be enjoyed by anyone.”

Canadians are looking for unconventional ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the release said. “At Pizza Pizza, Valentine’s Day is among the top three busiest days of the year and Google Canada reports that ‘Valentine’s pizza’ was number four on Google’s Top Searches for 2015,” the company reported.

The Valentine’s Delight Pizza is available at all traditional Pizza Pizza locations.

Boston Pizza puts a charitable twist on its Feb. 14 promotions by holding its 24th annual heart-shaped pizza fundraising campaign. On that day, $1 from every heart-shaped pizza sold across Canada will go to support Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects, an organization that helps connect kids with role models in their communities.

“We look forward to celebrating love in all its forms with our guests this year as they help us reach our goal of raising more than half a million dollars to support kids’ futures across the country,” said Steve Silverstone, executive vice-president of marketing for Boston Pizza International, in a news release.

Boston Pizza’s heart-shaped pizzas come in small and medium sizes, in gourmet and create-your-own pizza varieties, on Boston Pizza’s hand-pressed classic or multigrain dough (excluding thin crust), and can be ordered for dine-in, take-out or delivery.

Proceeds from Boston Pizza’s annual heart-shaped pizza fundraiser support role modelling and mentoring for Canadian kids. BPF Future Prospects works with partner organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, JDRF, Kids Help Phone, Live Different and the Rick Hansen Foundation.

From now until Feb. 14, customers also can make a minimum donation of $2 to Future Prospects and receive a Boston Pizza Peel & Win Heart. Every heart is a winner with prizes such as $2 off dessert, a free Panookie, free Flatbread Pizzatizer or $5 off the customer’s next $25 takeout or delivery order.

“To date, Boston Pizza’s annual Valentine’s Day initiative has helped raise more than $6 million for Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects and we are so thankful for the continued support of our guests.”

Valentine’s promotion ideas

Here are some great Valentine’s Day promotion ideas from Canadian Pizza columnist Diane Chiasson.

Tell us what you are doing to spread the love this Feb. 14? Let us know by emailing a note or photo to Colleen Cross at ccross@annexweb.com, by sharing on Facebook or Twitter, or by calling 519-428-3471 ext. 261.