Zpizza promotes Rustica line with dealsZpizza promotes Rustica line with deals

Alan J. Liddle

Zpizza is encouraging more customers to try its Rustica line of exotic, personal-sized pizzas by offering a buy one, get one free deal and giveaways.

From now through Jan. 31, people who buy an $8.95 Rustica product will get a second one free, said officials of Irvine, Calif.-based Zpizza International, operator and franchisor of 97 brick oven-anchored zpizza restaurants in 16 states and the District of Columbia. Members of the chain’s ztribe loyalty program will get a Rustica for free during the promotional period, and consumers who join ztribe will get a complimentary Rustica with any purchase.

Rustica pizzas come in five flavor combinations using such ingredients as yams, herbs-and-pepper-infused pili pili oil and chicken sausage. Their hand-tossed crusts are made with certified organic wheat dough.

“We wanted to create a healthier, artisan pizza with many unique flavor profiles inspired by global cuisines,” Sid Fanarof, zpizza’s founder, said in a statement. “We used a thinner crust, infused ingredients authentic to dishes from India, Morocco, France, and, of course, Italy.”

Fanarof noted that the sauce used for Rustica products is organic, as well, in keeping with zpizza’s practice of using organic ingredients when economically feasible. The chain also offers gluten-free and vegan options and markets its pepperoni and sausage as free of additives and MSG.

Chris Bright, president of Zpizza International, said the Rustica promotion is the longest and most aggressive ever run for the product.  And though Rustica pizzas represent just 3 percent of zpizza’s product mix, he said the line carries a much greater strategic weight than that number might suggest.

“We believe the Rustica helps to drive our key points of differentiation with our use of healthier and unique ingredients,” Bright said. “Accordingly, our goal with this promotion is to get existing customers in the habit of ordering Rusticas and to drive new customers into our restaurants with a product that helps to define us.”

The Rustica combinations offered by zpizza include:

- Chicken sausage Rustica, with marinara sauce, part skim rBGH-free mozzarella from grass-fed cows and arugula.

- Pear and Gorgonzola Rustica, with mozzarella and fresh thyme.

- Curry chicken and yam Rustica, with mozzarella, mango chutney, raisins and cilantro.

- Mediterranean Rustica, with mozzarella, feta, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, Greek olives, oregano and pili pili oil.

- North African Moroccan Rustica, with pesto, mozzarella, roasted eggplant, feta, caramelized onions and pine nuts.

Contact Alan J. Liddle at [email protected].