Pizza Wholesale of Lexington, a distributor of Hunt Brothers Pizza, is expanding its partnership with collegiate marketer Learfield to become an official partner of University of North Carolina Athletics for the next five years, effective this 2017–18 season. The relationship allows Hunt Brothers Pizza to schedule sampling events on campus and plan community outreach initiatives with their Pizza to the Rescue food truck. Beginning in 2018, Hunt Brothers Pizza will be UNC Athletics’ Official Pizza and will be available in concession stands.

With a strong presence throughout North Carolina since 1998, Hunt Brothers Pizza is currently served in 396 locations statewide. The Tar Heel state is an important area for Hunt Brothers Pizza, a family-owned business operating largely through convenience store partnerships and special venues. Pizza Wholesale of Lexington, Inc. (PWL), based in Paris, Kentucky, is a founding distributor of Hunt Brothers Pizza and services the Research Triangle Market, including the forthcoming UNC locations.

“This growing partnership with the Tar Heels marks a special milestone for Pizza Wholesale of Lexington,” says Erin Hunt Ferguson, CEO of PWL. “With many Hunt Brothers Pizza fans already in North Carolina, we are honored to have the opportunity to bring Hunt Brothers Pizza to fans attending games and events at UNC.”

Hunt Ferguson continues, “Our mission at PWL is to bring a quality, nationally recognized pizza brand to local communities, and this partnership with UNC helps us expand that mission, extend our hospitality and serve a larger community. And as avid college sports fans, we are looking forward to a great first season!”

Hunt Brothers Pizza views its relationship with Learfield as a way to grow its presence and show support within local communities currently served.

“The opportunity for this new partnership with UNC Athletics, along with Learfield and Aramark, was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up,” says Adam Hunt, vice president and director of customer relations for Pizza Wholesale of Lexington, Inc. “We’re blessed to be partnering with this amazing university, where the people share our values of history, tradition, and education. We look forward to serving pizza to the many fans of the Heels, from our family to yours.”

The agreement with UNC Athletics marks the second major NCAA partnership for PWL and Hunt Brothers Pizza. In September 2016, Hunt Brothers Pizza was announced as the official pizza of Rupp Arena on the campus of the University of Kentucky.

“We’re excited to work with the Hunt Brothers Pizza family, and we welcome them as a valued partner of the Tar Heels,” says Chuck Schroeder, vice president and general manager for Learfield’s Tar Heel Sports Properties team in Chapel Hill.