Italian restaurant chain Pizza Express will give away 50,000 pizzas tomorrow if customers turn up wearing a black and white striped top. The company says that its ‘Earn Your Stripes’ giveaway is celebrating National Pizza Day on Monday, February 9, with customers asked to simply turn up in the attire in a nod to the brand’s iconic monochrome aesthetic, worn by their skilled pizza makers.
Lou Jones, PizzaExpress marketing director, said, “Our Earn Your Stripes giveaway has become such a moment for both us and pizza lovers! This year, we’re giving away more pizzas than ever before in celebration of PizzaExpress Live turning the big 5-0, so get those stripes on and join us – there’s never been a better reason for a pizza party on a Monday!”
The promotion comes as the company looks set to see its music brand, PizzaExpress Live, celebrating 50 years of music later this year.
A company spokesperson added: “Whether you prefer the original, or are craving a vegan or gluten free Margherita, everyone is invited to earn their stripes at PizzaExpress this National Pizza Day.
“So whether you’re looking for an excuse to get out of the office for your favourite pizza, skip out on that university lecture, or just want to grab your mates and make the most of 50,000 free pizzas being available, grab your striped top and head to your nearest PizzaExpress.”
The brand has bucked the trend followed by many chain restaurants in recent years that have seen venues close amid difficult economic conditions.
The company has operations in Hong Kong and the UAE, as well as franchise operations across Asia, the Middle East and Europe. With 110 international and franchise sites, the brand has big ambitions, aiming to reach 1,000 restaurants globally (including the UK) by 2030.
In the UK, there are nearly 360 pizzerias, with the company opening a site in London Gatwick airport in 2024, as well as launching a pizza pod in the car park of a Tesco Extra in Southampton.
