Boston Pizza has dropped the gloves. To get Quebec hockey fans into its locations for the NHL’s first broadcast of the season – taking a poke at a restaurant rival while it does so – the restaurant chain is offering free wings when the Habs are on ice.
Created by Zip Communication, the TV spot announcing the promotion shows spokesperson Louis Morissette and a Boston Pizza ‘’manager’’ watching hockey at the bar.
Manager: Louis, chicken wings are free at Boston Pizza from January 19th until the 27th.
Louis: Do [the Canadiens] have to score five goals?
Manager: No.
Louis: Four?
Manager: No.
Louis: Do they have to… win?
Manager: No.
Louis: Whoa.
This is a direct shot at rival La Cage aux Sports and its long-time, famous promo: when the Habs scores 5 goals, fans get 8 free chicken wings.
‘’The lockout has created a disengagement from some fans and we wanted to celebrate hockey with a generous offer and put the emphasis on our wings, unrivalled in the Quebec market,’’ said Carl Pichette, Boston Pizza’s Quebec’s marketing director, in a release.
The spot will launch Saturday, as many Quebecers will be watching the Leafs lose to the Habs.
Editor’s Note: We apologize for Caroline Fortin’s lapse in journalistic rigour. The fact of the matter is that the Leafs will defeat the Habs. Soundly.
Update: See!
