BOSTON PIZZA RAISES $260,000 IN 'DOUGH' FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS
CANADA

RICHMOND, BC, Dec. 14 /CNW/ - Boston Pizza is proud to announce that more than $260,000 has been raised for charity during the month of November thanks to the generous donations made by restaurant guests across the country.

"On behalf of Boston Pizza International, I would like to thank our guests for their tremendous generosity and our franchisees for making this such a successful fundraising initiative," says Steve Silverstone, Executive Vice President of Marketing at Boston Pizza International Inc. "This is a great example of what can be accomplished when everyone works together to make a difference in their communities."

With more than 340 stores across the country, Canadians from coast-to-coast showed their support for the Boston Pizza Foundation by purchasing BP Kids Cards throughout the month of November for a minimum donation of $5.00.  In exchange for their donation, guests received a card with five free kids meals. 

Leading the fundraising efforts were Boston Pizza's St. Bruno and St. Jerome locations in Québec, followed closely by stores in Lindsay, Ontario, Oakville, Ontario and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

"We are extremely proud and appreciative of the efforts made by our franchisees and restaurant staff to sell a record number of BP Kids Cards," says Cheryl Treliving, Executive Director of the Boston Pizza Foundation.  "The Boston Pizza Foundation has a long-standing commitment to helping children and families in need and the money raised by our Kids Card program will go a long way towards helping us do even more work in this area."

Since its inception, the Boston Pizza Foundation has raised more than $10.5 million for a number of worthwhile charitable organizations across Canada including the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and Kids Help Phone.

About the Boston Pizza Foundation
The Boston Pizza Foundation raises funds for many charities across Canada, including Kids Help Phone, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Since its inception in 1990, the Boston Pizza Foundation has raised more than $10.5 million through various fundraising initiatives, the money raised supports local, national, and global non-profit organizations, all of which directly improve the health and well-being of children and families.

About Boston Pizza
Boston Pizza International Inc. is Canada's No. 1 casual dining brand with more than 340 restaurants in Canada. Annually, Boston Pizza serves more than 40 million guests. The company has been recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies and was named one of Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures by Waterstone Human Capital for 2007 and 2008. Boston Pizza International Inc. is located in Richmond, B.C. and has regional offices in Mississauga, Ontario and Laval, Quebec. For more information visit www.bostonpizza.com.

For further information:

Perry Schwartz
Director of Communications, Boston Pizza International
905-361-3616
[email protected]