Pizza Hut® Announces Free Pizza Day
Vice President of Pizza contest winner giving away slices of America's Favorite Pizza as first assignment
DALLAS (April 30, 2007) – Pizza Hut®, America's Favorite Pizza, today announced May 1 "Free Slice of Pizza Day," an opportunity for everyone in America to try its New and Improved Hand-Tossed Style Pizza. The pizza giveaway is the first assignment for the newly named Honorary Vice President of Pizza.
"America voted for our new Honorary VP of Pizza, and we gave him the assignment to help us share the news of our great-tasting new Hand-Tossed Style Pizza," said Bill Ogle, Pizza Hut chief marketing officer. "This is the first time we've given away pizza slices nationally because we think this pizza is so good that we want everyone to try it."
In a blind national taste test, the new Pizza Hut Hand-Tossed Style Pizza was the preferred choice among consumers with a preference, beating out both Domino's and Papa John's*. Known for its Pan Pizza and creative innovations, Pizza Hut has not advertised or promoted its Hand-Tossed Style Pizza in more than 20 years. The Hand-Tossed Style dough has been used for pizza innovations such as Cheesy Bites, Stuffed Crust and Twisted Crust Pizzas in recent years.
America voted Nick Mathis of Crystal Lake, Ill., the winner of the America's Favorite Pizza Fan contest. With the title of Honorary Vice President of Pizza, Nick receives a $25,000 prize, three-month use of a "company car" and pizza for a year. The Honorary Vice President of Pizza also received his first directive from Pizza Hut: give away the new and improved Hand-Tossed Style Pizza.
In order to fulfill his assignment, free slices of Hand-Tossed Style Pizza will be given away at participating Pizza Hut locations on Tuesday, May 1 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The new and improved Hand-Tossed Style Pizza features more zesty sauce and a new lighter crust.
"I entered this contest because I love making videos and eating Pizza Hut pizza," said Nick. "When Pizza Hut told me they had a new pizza that they wanted me to help give away, I realized that I'm about to make a lot of people very happy."
The VP of Pizza contest began in February, with participants submitting a two-minute video on YouTube showcasing their passion for Pizza Hut pizza. Out of a field of more than 100 candidates, three finalists were chosen based on creativity, public appeal and originality. Nearly 30,000 online votes were received to select the contest winner.
Nick's winning video, "The Great American Pizza Fan," as well as the first place and runner-up entries, can be viewed online at www.pizzahut.com/vpofpizza.
*In a comparison of new and improved Hand-Tossed Style Pizza and the traditional pizzas of Domino's and Papa John's (pepperoni and Supreme/Deluxe Feast® / The Works), our pizza was preferred over the competition among those with a preference.
About the Winner
Nick Mathis (24, Crystal Lake, Ill.) – As the "Great American Pizza Fan," Nick shows his passion for Pizza Hut pizza and his quest to unlock its hidden benefits. Nick is an aspiring actor and producer who plans to use his winnings to help launch his first feature-length film.
About Pizza Hut
As the world's largest pizza restaurant company with almost 6,600 restaurants in the United States and more than 4,000 restaurants in 100 other countries, Pizza Hut, Inc., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM) is America's Favorite Pizza. The company's 49-year legacy of leadership and innovation has made it the recognized leader in the $37 billion pizza category. Those hungry for more information can go to the official Pizza Hut Website at www.pizzahut.com
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Media Contact:
Chris Fuller, Pizza Hut
972-338-7729
