Pizza Pizza – 967-11-11 Call Pizza Pizza, hey, hey, hey!

18 November 2022

Vintage Pizza Pizza commercial (Courtesy of Pizza Pizza Ltd)

Pizza Pizza, the original store, is located at 68 Wellesley St E (just west of Parliament St on the south side and that store still exists today) in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood of Toronto.

Michael Overs, Pizza Pizza’s Founder

Michael Overs opened his first Pizza Pizza store on New Year’s Eve in 1967. Mr Overs grew up in The Beaches neighbourhood and began working full-time at 17. He was an entrepreneur and, a decade later, opened that first pizza shop in the Cabbagetown neighbourhood. In the early days, 90% of the business was delivery.

The founder, Michael Overs, was always thinking of innovations. One of those inventions was a pizza delivery bag. He worked with an upholsterer to design the pouch, which is believed to be one of the world’s first insulated pizza delivery bags. Who can forget their legendary old advertising jingle “‪967-11-11‬ call Pizza Pizza, hey, hey hey!”

His son-in-law, Paul Goddard, took over the company’s CEO role when Mr Overs passed away in 2010.

Supporting Local & Canadian Businesses

Pizza Pizza locally sources its toppings. Their mozzarella cheese is made with 100% Canadian milk, and the wheat in their dough is also 100% Canadian. They also offer gluten-free and vegan options.

The company’s Slices for Smiles Foundation has raised over $3 million for the Children’s Miracle Network. During their spring campaign, customers can order a Smile Pizza and a portion of the proceeds are donated to support children’s hospitals across the country.

From its modest beginnings in the original 300-square-foot store, the company has grown to over 750 quick-service pizza stores. Both owned and franchised, they have over 5,000 workers across Canada under the Pizza Pizza and Pizza 73 brands.