Papa John's Readies for Halloween

While the National Retail Federation predicts a drop in Halloween costume and candy sales this year, Papa John’s announced that it is anticipating a big night for the pizza industry on what is consistently one of the busiest nights of the year.

On hand to help with the influx of pizza orders: More than 70,000 Papa John’s employees, including 20,000 drivers—double the average number on a Saturday night—to dish up and deliver the more than 900,000 pizzas expected to be sold this Halloween.

With so much pizza and so many drivers knocking on the door, Papa John’s is inviting customers to post photos of themselves in Halloween costumes—holding a Papa John’s pizza box or standing with a company delivery driver—on the Papa John’s Facebook page for a chance to be randomly selected as one of five Papa John’s “Fans of the Week” and receive a $50 Papa Card.

Papa John’s Mega XL pizza special can feed the entire family with ten slices and up to three toppings for $11.99. The pizza is delivered in a specially-designed Transformers box, along with a coupon worth $3 off the purchase of the “TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen” DVD.

“Cutting corners in a down economy doesn’t mean you have to cut the fun,” says Andrew Varga, Papa John’s chief marketing officer. “Whether your little ones dress up as Optimus Prime or a princess, we want to make sure that he or she will be well-fed before or even after trick or treating—that’s why we offer plan-ahead ordering at www.papajohns.com.”

There are also a few missing Papa John’s uniforms about this time each year. Pizza delivery driver is a popular Halloween costume.

“We consider them fans of the year,” Varga says. “Each year in every market, a number of customers dress as Papa John’s delivery drivers for Halloween. We are happy to oblige, as they’re the ultimate brand ambassadors.”