The History of Pizza73: How We Became Canada's Favorite

Every successful business has a story, and Pizza73's journey from a single location to one of Canada's most beloved pizza delivery services is filled with innovation, determination, and a commitment to quality that continues to this day. As we celebrate another year of serving Canadians their favorite pizzas, wings, and sides, we wanted to share the story of how Pizza73 became a household name across the country.

Humble Beginnings: The First Slice

Pizza73's story begins in Edmonton, Alberta in 1985. While many successful businesses start with elaborate business plans and significant funding, our beginning was much more modest. The founders started with a simple vision: to create a pizza delivery service that would focus on quality ingredients, reasonable prices, and exceptional customer service.

The name "Pizza73" was chosen to reflect our commitment to quick service – a simple phone number (73) that customers could easily remember to place their orders. This focus on convenience would become a hallmark of our brand as we continued to grow.

The first Pizza73 location was a small, delivery-focused operation with minimal seating. The kitchen was designed for efficiency, with a streamlined menu focused on doing a few things exceptionally well rather than offering an overwhelming variety of options. This approach allowed us to perfect our recipes and delivery processes before expanding.

The 1990s: Expanding Across Alberta

By the early 1990s, word had spread about Pizza73's quality and convenience. The combination of our freshly made dough, signature sauce, quality toppings, and reliable delivery service created a loyal customer base that kept coming back.

Throughout the decade, Pizza73 expanded across Alberta, opening new locations in Calgary, Red Deer, and other communities. Each new location maintained the same commitment to quality and service that had made the original store successful.

During this period, we also introduced several innovations that would become standard across the pizza industry:

• 30-minute delivery guarantee: While other pizza chains were experimenting with similar concepts, our implementation focused on safety and quality rather than speed at all costs
• Expanded side menu: We introduced our now-famous chicken wings and other side items to complement our pizzas
• Combo deals: We pioneered value-focused meal combinations that have become staples of our menu

The 2000s: Technological Innovation

As the new millennium began, Pizza73 recognized the growing importance of technology in the food service industry. We were among the first Canadian pizza chains to embrace online ordering, launching our initial web-based ordering system in 2000.

This early adoption of digital technology positioned us well for the changes that would transform the industry in the coming years. Our commitment to technological innovation continued with:

• Call center optimization: Implementing advanced systems to ensure fast and accurate order taking
• Digital menu boards: Replacing static menus with dynamic digital displays that could be updated instantly across all locations
• Enhanced delivery tracking: Developing systems to monitor deliveries and ensure timely service

In 2007, Pizza73 reached a significant milestone when it joined the Pizza Pizza family, creating one of Canada's largest pizza companies. This partnership allowed for expanded resources while maintaining the distinct brand identity and regional specialties that Pizza73 customers had come to love.

The 2010s: Digital Transformation

The 2010s saw Pizza73 embracing the mobile revolution. In 2011, we launched our first mobile app, allowing customers to order from their smartphones – a convenience that quickly became popular.

Throughout the decade, we continued to refine our digital presence with:

• Responsive website design: Creating a seamless ordering experience across all devices
• Enhanced mobile apps: Adding features like order tracking, saved favorites, and special mobile-only promotions
• Social media engagement: Building communities on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Loyalty program: Introducing digital rewards to thank our regular customers

During this period, we also expanded our menu to include more diverse options, reflecting Canada's changing tastes and dietary preferences. Gluten-free crusts, plant-based toppings, and innovative specialty pizzas were added to our offerings while maintaining the classic favorites that had built our reputation.

Recent Years: Adapting to Changing Times

The last few years have brought unprecedented challenges to the restaurant industry, but Pizza73's long history of innovation prepared us well for adapting to changing circumstances.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, our established delivery infrastructure and digital ordering platforms allowed us to continue serving customers safely. We quickly implemented enhanced safety protocols, contactless delivery options, and expanded our capacity to meet the increased demand for delivery services.

This period also saw us accelerate several initiatives that were already in development:

• Enhanced digital ordering: Streamlining the online and app-based ordering process even further
• Expanded delivery zones: Bringing Pizza73 to more communities across Canada
• Menu innovations: Introducing new items that reflect contemporary tastes and dietary preferences
• Sustainability initiatives: Implementing more environmentally friendly packaging and operational practices

Our Recipe for Success

Looking back on our journey from a single location to a beloved national brand, several key ingredients have contributed to Pizza73's success:

Quality Ingredients

From day one, we've been committed to using quality ingredients in our pizzas. Our dough is made fresh daily, our sauce is made from vine-ripened tomatoes, and we use 100% Canadian dairy mozzarella. We've maintained these standards even as we've grown, refusing to compromise on the quality that built our reputation.

Innovation

Throughout our history, we've embraced innovation – whether that's introducing new menu items, adopting new technologies, or finding better ways to serve our customers. This forward-thinking approach has kept us relevant through changing times and evolving consumer preferences.

Customer Focus

Perhaps most importantly, we've always put our customers at the center of every decision. From our memorable phone number to our user-friendly website and mobile app, we've consistently looked for ways to make the Pizza73 experience more convenient, enjoyable, and satisfying for the people we serve.

Looking to the Future

As we look ahead, Pizza73 remains committed to the values that have guided us since 1985. We continue to explore new technologies, menu innovations, and service improvements that will enhance the experience for our customers.

Some exciting developments on the horizon include:

• Enhanced personalization: Using data to provide more tailored recommendations and offers
• Expanded plant-based options: Continuing to develop delicious plant-based alternatives
• Sustainable practices: Further reducing our environmental footprint through packaging innovations and operational changes
• Community engagement: Strengthening our connections with the communities we serve through local partnerships and initiatives

While much has changed since our first location opened its doors, our fundamental commitment remains the same: to provide Canadians with delicious pizza, made with quality ingredients, delivered with exceptional service.

Thank You, Canada

As we reflect on our journey, we want to express our sincere gratitude to the millions of Canadians who have made Pizza73 part of their lives – whether it's Friday night family dinners, game day gatherings with friends, workplace celebrations, or quiet evenings at home.

Your support has fueled our growth and inspired us to continually improve. We're honored to be part of so many Canadian moments and memories, and we look forward to serving you for many years to come.