Bighearted guests help Boston Pizza raise a record amount of dough for Canadian youth

24th annual heart-shaped pizza fundraiser surpasses its goal with $535,000 raised

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 22, 2016 /CNW/ - Boston Pizza guests shared the love and opened their hearts and wallets to raise $535,000 for charity this past Valentine's Day, surpassing the goal of $520,000. The restaurant chain's annual heart-shaped pizza fundraiser took place on Sunday, February 14 at more than 370 locations nationwide in support of Boston Pizza Foundation (BPF) Future Prospects.

BPF Future Prospects raises funds and awareness for a variety of local, regional and national organizations committed to connecting kids with role models in their communities to ensure they have the guidance necessary to support their bright futures. This year marked the 24^th anniversary of the annual Valentine's Day program, which has raised more than $6 million since it began in 1993.

"We are extremely grateful to the many Canadians who were hungry to help out this Valentine's Day by celebrating their love with a delicious heart-shaped pizza," said Cheryl Treliving, Executive Director of BPF Future Prospects. "This is our most successful Valentine's Day campaign to date and the funds raised will go a long way to helping kids across Canada be great."

One dollar from the sale of every heart-shaped pizza sold at Boston Pizza across Canada on February 14 was donated to BPF Future Prospects. From January 11 to February 14, guests were also invited to purchase a Boston Pizza Peel & Win Heart for a minimum donation of $2.

Proceeds from the Valentine's Day campaign raised support the Future Prospects' partners programs, including: Big Brothers Big Sisters, which provides mentorship and guidance to nearly one million Canadian children at risk; the JDRF Ambassador and Leadership program which provides youth and teens with type 1 diabetes opportunities for leadership, mentoring, and presentation training; Kids Help Phone, which helps ensure young people have ongoing access to its essential, professional and innovative counselling and support services; Live Different, which delivers motivational school assemblies, workshops and leadership training programs through Canada's public, Catholic, and independent middle and secondary schools; and, the Rick Hansen Foundation which creates more opportunities for those with disabilities by actively removing barriers and by inspiring the next generation to understand the importance of accessibility and inclusion.

About Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects
Boston Pizza Foundation Future Prospects was established in 2014 to raise funds and awareness for organizations that provide kids in Canada with role models and mentoring programs. BPF Future Prospects is proud to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters, JDRF, Kids Help Phone, Live Different, and the Rick Hansen Foundation. Since its inception in 1990, the Boston Pizza Foundation has raised and donated more than $22 million to support a brighter future for kids and their families.

About Boston Pizza
Boston Pizza International Inc. is Canada's No. 1 casual dining brand with more than 370 restaurants in Canada and more than $1 billion in sales. Annually, Boston Pizza serves more than 40 million guests. The company has been recognized as a Platinum Member of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. Boston Pizza believes that strong role models inspire kids to be great, and in 2014, the Boston Pizza Foundation created Future Prospects to help support organizations that mentor kids to reach their full potential. Boston Pizza International Inc. is located in Richmond, B.C., and has regional offices in Mississauga, Ontario and Laval, Quebec. For more information, visit www.bostonpizza.com.

SOURCE Boston Pizza International Inc.

Alexandra Cygal, Senior Director of Communications, Boston Pizza International, 905-848-2700, [email protected], Alexandra Peco, High Road for Boston Pizza International, 416-644-2298, [email protected]