There has been a lot of discussion about local independent pizza on this blog in the last month. A lot of my readers are very fond of Puccini’s. Considering they have survived and tried over the last 20 years, they have to be doing something right.
Haven’t been to Puccini’s in a while? Be the first person to comment and you will receive a $20 gift card from Puccini’s.
-wibia.
Puccini’s Celebrates 20 Years by Giving Back
Now Serves More Than One Million Customers Per Year
Indianapolis - March 9, 2011 - Puccini’s Smiling Teeth (http://www.puccinissmilingteeth.com/) is celebrating its 20 year anniversary this month with special deals, a contest and a donation to a local nonprofit. The first Puccini’s pizzeria opened in Indianapolis on March 13, 1991. Since then, the italian restaurant has expanded from its original location on 1508 W 86th St. to 13 locations throughout Indiana and Kentucky, and now serves more than one million customers per year.
As the restaurant has grown, it has explored new territories. In 2010, Puccini’s launched a gluten-free menu, which has soared in popularity since its introduction last year. In addition, the restaurant is experimenting with location-based discounting through services like foursquare, and embracing social media to get feedback from customers. A facebook comment from a customer earlier this year motivated Puccini’s to begin offering nutritional data on menu items. The data for the top selling items will be available sometime this summer.
As Puccini’s Smiling Teeth turns 20 this March, the restaurant is celebrating in a number of ways, including:
- Offering a limited time, killer $20 Anniversary Deal
- Hosting a contest to give away a pizza party for 20
- Donating 20% of proceeds on March 13th, 2011 to a local nonprofit
Owner Don Main said, “Looking back at twenty years in business, we feel so fortunate that Indy and our other communities have embraced Puccini’s. In those early days, we would have never envisioned serving more than a million customers in a year. Now as we look forward to the future, we also want to show thanks for helping our business thrive.”
To that end, Puccini’s has chosen to donate 20% of proceeds to a local nonprofit on their anniversary day of March 13. To add a bit of fun, the 20th table of customers at the 86th St. restaurant will be surprised with a complimentary meal.
Original plans for a customer appreciation day featuring a special deal grew into a week-long offer to extend the thanks to even more customers. The 20th Anniversary Deal includes an appetizer, two dinner salads, any medium pizza and one dessert for only $20, and will be available March 14-20, 2011 at the W 86th Street location.
In addition, Puccini’s is running a contest with a grand prize of a Pizza Party for 20. “This promotion will be a fun way to do what Puccini’s does best – share happiness though our pizza,” Main added. Starting Monday, March 7, the general public may nominate their own group of friends, their office, little league team or any other favorite group to win. The pizza party, valued at $250 dollars, will be awarded to one lucky winner on March 31st, 2011. Details and official rules of the contest can be found online at http://www.puccinissmilingteeth.com/contest
For all details of the Puccini’s 20th Year Anniversary Celebration, see http://www.puccinissmilingteeth.com/20th-anniversary
I love Puccini’s! We have one right around the corner from us.
I’ve never tried their pizza. Heard good things though.
puccini’s has some of the best pizza in town!
Just for the record, Andi got the gift certificate.
@Crizzle… Go!! They have weekday lunch specials that are worth a try. Check online and you can see what pizza they offer on each day.
Recommend the Campfire pizza. Veggie version: replace the smoked sausage with pecans. Delicious! Also, dip your pizza in the buttermilk herb dressing. And you garlic bread with cheese.
Diablo, vodka and pesto sauces are all great. I love this place!
I’ve thought about going to the one on 116th in Fishers many times, but I just haven’t done it. I did go to the Bloomington location (Bucceto’s) a few times while I was in school there, but I’ve never had the pizza.
Puccini’s is some good eating. I would say in terms of non-national chain, unique pizza places, I rank them #2 behind the Allisonville Rd. Some Guy’s Pizza. I have been going to Puccini’s a few times a year for well over 10 years now. Glad to see they are expanding into other states as well.
.
The only downside I have with Puccini’s is the price. With the current price wars going, I wonder how that will affect their business. They have done well keeping their places in areas I would describe as upper middle class/rich. That obviously would help as if your local customer base has money, they likely won’t need to switch over to Domino’s. With the new recipe, nothing beats Domino’s in terms of value. As far as value for non-chain pizza places, we got a great deal at Cool River Pizza not to long ago. A huge pizza with their awesome bread sticks. Even with their prices, I always get a craving for Puccini’s ever few months or so. We went to the Geist location the end of last year. Good service, good pizza.
.
Anyone here remember their south side location? I swear they had a south side location in the late 90s/early 2000s. Hopefully their Louisville location will last longer than Bearno’s did in downtown Indy.
Just to let everyone know, it looks like the Carmel Puccini’s is running the same $20 special as the 86th St. location.
Ate there tonight and had an ultimate warrior pizza with bacon instead of peppers, and I was a happy boy.
Looking forward to trying the Campfire next time.
Puccini’s in West Lafayette was hands down my favorite pizza place. It’s too bad they don’t have one closer to downtown Indy. I’ve had to find other pizza places (Jackamo’s) but it’s not the same. Oh how I miss the campfire! It’s just too far north of downtown to justify the trip.
John Doe – I fondly remember their south side location. I really wish they would give it another shot on this side of town.