National Pi Day, celebrated annually on March 14 (3/14), and National Pie Day, observed on January 23, are two distinct holidays that generate significant promotional activity within the food and beverage sector. While National Pi Day honors the mathematical constant π (pi), it is frequently leveraged by restaurants and retailers to offer deals on circular food items, specifically pizza and pie. Conversely, National Pie Day focuses specifically on the dessert category. The provided source material details specific promotional offers, brand participation, and eligibility requirements associated with these holidays, primarily focusing on 2024 and 2025 events.
National Pi Day Pizza and Pie Deals
National Pi Day on March 14 is characterized by discounts on pizzas and pies, often utilizing the price point of $3.14. The offers available vary by brand and frequently require specific redemption methods, such as the use of promo codes or membership in loyalty programs.
Pizza Chain Offers
Several pizza chains participate in National Pi Day with specific discounts available through digital channels.
- Papa Murphy’s: This brand offers a discount of 31.4 percent on regular-priced items. To redeem this offer, customers must use the promo code PIDAY25 at checkout. This promotion is valid for both online orders and orders placed via the mobile application.
- Mountain Mike’s Pizza: Members of the Mountain Rewards loyalty program are eligible to receive a free mini pizza. This offer is contingent upon the purchase of a 20-ounce bottled beverage.
- Round Table Pizza: Royal Rewards members can acquire a personal pizza with one topping for $3.14. This specific price point is valid only with the purchase of any large or extra-large pizza. Eligibility requires that the member signed up for the Royal Rewards program prior to March 14.
- Pieology Pizzeria: Rewards members participating in this brand’s program can earn double Perks points. This incentive applies to purchases of a Create Your Own Pizza, Calzone, or salad.
- Taco Bell: While not a traditional pizzeria, Taco Bell offers its Mexican Pizza for $3.14 on Pi Day.
- 7-Eleven: Rewards members can purchase a large pizza for $3.14.
- Cici’s Pizza: Customers can buy one medium or large one-topping pizza with an original round crust and get a second for $3.14. This offer is valid in-store or online using the code PIDAY.
- Blaze Pizza: This location offers a buy-one-get-one promotion where customers can purchase one pizza and get a second for $3.14. This offer is valid for in-store orders only.
- BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: This establishment offers a buy-one-get-one deal on Pizookies (a cookie dessert). Customers can buy one regular, full-size Pizookie and get a second for $3.14. This offer is valid for dine-in customers only.
Pie-Specific Offers
In addition to pizza, National Pi Day includes deals on traditional pies.
- Milk Bar: Customers ordering a pie at regular price can receive 25 percent off. The promo code PIDAY must be used at checkout to redeem this discount.
- Polly’s Pies: This brand offers tiered benefits based on customer status. Dine-in customers who order an entrée receive a free slice of pie. Rewards members receive a free slice of pie even without a purchase. Additionally, customers can purchase a special "Pi Day Apple Pi" featuring the Greek letter π cut into the top crust for $17.99.
- Blue Cake/Honey Pies: Customers can receive 10 percent off pies when ordering online. The promo code MON10 is required to access this discount.
- Burgers Pies and Fries: This location offers pies for the specific price of $3.14.
Loyalty Program Requirements
Several Pi Day offers are restricted to members of specific loyalty programs. Participation in these programs is generally free but requires registration prior to the event date.
- Mountain Mike’s Pizza: Requires membership in the Mountain Rewards program.
- Round Table Pizza: Requires membership in Royal Rewards, with a stipulation that the account must be created before March 14.
- Pieology Pizzeria: Requires membership in the Rewards program to earn double points.
- 7-Eleven: Requires membership in the rewards program to access the $3.14 pizza pricing.
- Burger King: While primarily associated with National Pie Day, Burger King’s Royal Perks loyalty program is a recurring requirement for their dessert offers.
National Pie Day Promotional Offers
National Pie Day is celebrated on January 23. The primary focus of the offers detailed in the source material for this holiday is on free dessert slices with the purchase of a meal.
Shoney’s Offer
Shoney’s, a restaurant chain headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, is a prominent participant in National Pie Day. The brand offers a free slice of its made-in-house Strawberry Pie. To qualify for this free slice, customers must purchase an entrée or the "All You Care To Eat" Fresh Food Bar. The offer is valid for both order-ahead and dine-in customers. Shoney’s has 61 locations across 16 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Burger King Offer
Burger King offers a free Hershey Sundae Pie to members of its Royal Perks loyalty program. To redeem this offer, customers must place an order totaling $1 or more in the BK app or online at BK.com. Eligibility requires signing up for Royal Perks and activating the specific offer in the "Offers" tab before placing the order. This promotion is valid for order-ahead and dine-in purchases, though price and participation may vary by location.
Consumer Strategies for Accessing Offers
Consumers seeking to take advantage of National Pi Day or National Pie Day deals should be aware of specific redemption mechanisms and potential limitations.
Digital Redemption and App Usage
A significant number of the described offers require the use of digital platforms. Orders must often be placed through mobile applications or specific websites to utilize promo codes. * Papa Murphy’s: Requires the code PIDAY25 for online or app orders. * Milk Bar: Requires the code PIDAY for online checkout. * Cici’s Pizza: Requires the code PIDAY for online orders. * Burger King: Requires the use of the BK app or website to activate and redeem the offer.
Timing and Eligibility
Several offers have strict timing requirements. * Round Table Pizza: The $3.14 personal pizza deal is only valid for Royal Rewards members who signed up prior to March 14. * Shoney’s: The free slice of Strawberry Pie is contingent upon the purchase of a qualifying food item (entrée or buffet). * Burger King: The free Hershey Sundae Pie requires a minimum purchase of $3.14 (specifically noted as $1 in one context, though the standard threshold for such offers is often higher; the source text specifies a $1 minimum purchase for the Burger King offer).
Local Availability
Participation and specific pricing may vary by location. The source material notes that "price and participation vary" for several offers, including those from Shoney’s and Burger King. Consumers are advised to verify deal availability at their local establishments. For National Pi Day, local restaurants and bakeries in Arkansas are noted to offer various specials, including social media shoutouts and discounts, though specific participating brands other than those listed are not detailed in the provided text.
Cultural Context of Pie Consumption
While the focus of the source material is on promotional offers, it also touches upon the popularity of pie in American culture. According to a poll by The National Day Calendar cited in the sources, apple pie received 37% of votes as a favorite, outperforming pecan pie (16%), cherry pie (14%), and blueberry pie (9%). However, other rankings suggest different preferences. A ranking by Betway Insider, which analyzed Google Trends data, placed cream pie at the top, followed by pumpkin pie, lemon meringue pie, and apple pie in fourth place.
National Apple Pie Day is a separate holiday, though the sources do not provide specific promotional offers for that date. The sources mention that apple pie has been part of the American identity since the 17th century and is often associated with American culture.
Conclusion
National Pi Day and National Pie Day serve as significant drivers for promotional activity in the restaurant and bakery sectors. The offers detailed in the source material are primarily centered on price reductions (such as $3.14 pricing) and free items with purchase (such as free slices of pie with an entrée). A common requirement across many of these promotions is enrollment in brand-specific loyalty programs and the use of digital ordering channels. Consumers interested in these deals should monitor brand announcements and ensure they meet eligibility criteria, such as pre-event sign-ups for rewards programs, to successfully redeem offers.