27 Days and Counting!
Well, the peak of the holiday shopping season is here and things are really starting to buzz around the office!  Not only are we hanging decorations and playing cheery music, we're also thinking of ways to help you and your family celebrate the holidays in the very best way possible.  As you may already know, Holiday Bonus Certificates* are back which means you get a little when you give a little!  Running now through December 31, 2010, buy $50 or $100 worth of Lou Malnati's gift cards and receive a $10 or $25 bonus certificate, respectively.  Lou's gift cards are the perfect stocking stuffer for everyone on your list, and there's no easier way to get your holiday shopping done! Gift cards can be purchased at any Lou Malnati's Pizzeria - visit our Locations page to find the closest pizzeria.

Aside from exchanging gifts at the holidays, it's tradition to get together with family and enjoy some good laughs, great company and delicious food.  Why not let our catering department take care of the food this year?  Lou Malnati's Homemade Entrees and Famous Chicago Style Pizza are always favorites and can be brought to your location piping hot with everything needed to host a successful event!  As you know so well, deep dish pizzas are always well-received and perfect for your event.  Our party planners can provide an easy, affordable solution to all of your catering needs.  Give us a call and we will take care of it all. (847) 562-1918.

We know you have been working up an appetite these past couple of days so be sure to treat yourself to some deep dish soon.  Did you take advantage of the steals and deals on Black Friday or Cyber Monday? 


*Bonus certificates are not redeemable for cash or cash back on purchases, and are valid for one time use only. Only one bonus certificate per visit. Bonus certificates are not valid on Tastes of Chicago orders. Bonus certificates are not valid on the purchase of gift certificates. Deep Dish Dough Users: When purchasing gift cards, you must chose between accruing loyalty points or receiving bonus certificates. No points can be earned when bonus certificates are redeemed.
We're Thankful...
Though times have been tough recently, we all have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  At Lou Malnati's, we're thankful for our wonderful and dedicated staff who go out of their way to make sure they're providing customers with the best tasting food, best customer service, and best overall experience to patrons that walk through the doors of our establishments.  We're also thankful for those behind the scenes, making sure everything is top notch and running smoothly. 

This past Saturday, November 20, Lou Malnati's employees banded together and helped assemble Thanksgiving food baskets for local underprivileged families.  With the help of over 150 employees and their families, almost 300 baskets were assembled and will feed a family that would have otherwise not had a Thanksgiving meal this Thursday.



Not only are we thankful for our employees, but we're thankful for our families.  At the root of it all, family is what holds you together and what you know you can count on.  From our family to yours, we hope you have a joyful Thanksgiving filled with love, lots of laughs... and maybe even a little deep dish.

Happy Thanksgiving!
Lessons Learned
Our lives are filled with lessons learned on a daily basis.  Though they may not be laid out on paper or handed out by a teacher, we’re continuously learning something new every day.  One lesson I’ve recently learned is that no matter how hard times may get, family will make a point to be there and support you.  When your world gets shaken and you feel unstable, your family will rise to the occasion and see to it that you get grounded and get the help you need.  By family, I mean those that are close to you and those that truly care about you and your well-being.  It’s a lesson that you should never really have to learn but one that you know you can fall back on.

Top-Work-Places-2010.gifOn Monday, November 15, the Chicago Tribune announced the exclusive list of the Top 100 Places to Work in Chicago.  The overall lesson learned was what makes workers happy.  As described by the Tribune, “a satisfied work force, particularly during unsettling economic times, is more productive, more engaged, more flexible and potentially more profitable.”  As you may already know, Lou Malnati’s was listed as the 4th Top Large Employer by our employees and we couldn’t be happier.  Our goal has always been to provide an atmosphere full of positive experiences and enriching learning opportunities.  Our team is a group of people committed to excellence, striving to do their best.  We hold our standards high and encourage each other to grow as professionals- as well as people.  We are eager to support one another and are passionate about our job.  We’re a big family and that support and passion has helped mold us into what we are today and we couldn’t be prouder.

If you would like to learn more about joining the Malnati family, visit our website and view the current employment opportunities we have available.
There's More to Lou's than Deep Dish
We know it's hard to believe, but it's true.  Just ask the members of our Deep Dish Dough loyalty program who attended one of the five menu tastings we held over the past three weeks.  Members were invited to try a sampling of select items that had been specially paired with the beer we have available in the restaurants.  Menu items included:

  • Chicken Club Salad paired with Corona
  • Italian Beef Sandwich paired with Goose Island 312
  • Deep Dish Pizza (of course) paired with Sam Adams
  • Chocolate Chip Pizza and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream paired with Intelligensia coffee
Goose Island and Sam Adams representatives were on hand as well to give us all a little lesson on why they compliment our entrees so well.  Check out the slide show for some pictures!



The menu tastings are our special way of saying "thanks" to our Deep Dish Dough loyalty program members.  Our loyal customer base is what continues to make us tick so we established this program to reward you for your loyalty and welcome you into the Lou Malnati family.  We want to reward our die-hard Malnati fans for their frequent visits to their favorite Lou’s location.  By using the Deep Dish Dough card, yuo receive points for every purchase you make at any of our restaurant or carry-out locations, and these points earn you some great Lou rewards!  Over time, it's like receiving a discount on your regularly priced purchases.  There is a $20 fee to enroll in the program, but once enrolled you will receive your loyalty card, which will have $20 available on it for future purchases; think of it as buying yourself a gift card, but one that keeps on giving!  To learn more about the program, or to enroll, visit the Deep Dish Dough website.
Grazie, Danke, Gracias, Merci... THANK YOU!
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

-Woodrow Wilson
President of the United States, 1913-1921
Members of the Military sacrifice their lives on a daily basis for the good of our nation.  They leave behind their friends, family and loved ones to report to their duty stations and protect the United States from those that try to harm us.  Not only does Lou Malnati's stand behind these men and women, we salute you and your families for the sacrifices you all have made.  We are grateful for you and would like to thank you for your services.  Thank you for your courage, tenacity, bravery, selflessness and, above all, your dedication to your country, family and loved ones.

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“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”
-George Washington
President of the United States, 1789-1797
Needs vs Wants
Even though it may not feel like it (really Mother Nature - temps in the 60's?), the holidays are back and preparation has already begun.  Retail stores have started their holiday music playlists, decorations are readily available and visions of wishlists are dancing through our heads.  Have you thought about what you're going to give as gifts this year?  It's always a difficult task finding just the right gift - especially when a certain someone on your list is hard to shop for.  Do you go with something you know they need or do you get them the thing they want?  My thoughts on gift giving are that they should always come from your heart and they should be unique.  Take into consideration everything you know about the person you're shopping for and let your imagination take it from there.  Some of the best gifts I've ever given were simple yet struck a chord within the recipient and, in the end, they ended up feeling special and understood.  In being unique with the gift you give, try thinking outside of the normal presents (clothes, jewelry, electronics, etc.).  Most fans would agree that, if a Tastes of Chicago package were to show up at their doorstep around Christmas, they'd definitely have a happy holiday.  With the variety of packages that we have to offer, we're sure you'll find a package to satisfy everyone's tastes buds on your list.  If you find yourself torn and can't decide, let your loved one choose their favorite with a gift card.  Visit our website to view more of the holiday-themed packages we have to offer. 
Be the Change You Wish to See in the World
Mahatma Gandhi was definitely on to something there.  How many times have you taken a step back and said, "I wish things were different"?  Oftentimes, we find ourselves wanting progress and change but what are we doing to make sure that it happens?  If you want things to change and to improve, you must start with yourself and lead by example.  Aside from leading the way in Chicago-style deep dish pizza, we like to think we are leading the way in the customer service we provide.  How many times have you had to contact a company because you were dissatisfied with their services or the product they provided?  Did you find yourself cringing at the very idea of calling their Customer Service Department?  When a company provides a service, they have to be prepared for their customers' feedback and criticism.  At Lou Malnati's, we value all customer feedback that is given to us.  We pride ourselves in offering the best customer service we can and see to it that, in the end, you're happy you chose to do business with us.  We realize that our customers have needs and we want to be able to satisfy them.  You are the reason we have been able to grow and you are our number one priority - right up there with making the best deep dish in the world.

What change do you wish to see in the world?
We Want YOU
Along with the rest of the United States, the citizens of Illinois have a very important task to complete today: vote.  The United States has a long-standing history regarding the right to vote - it is a privilege that everyone has not always had.  It is our responsibility to carefully choose the leaders that will help project us forward and not hold us back.  It is our duty, as citizens, to stay informed and aware; to make sure our voice is heard by casting our ballot.  Get out there and cast your vote - it counts.

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In honor of Election Day, we have a little poll of our own going... Let's decide which topping(s) rule, once and for all! 


“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”
--John Quincy Adams

 
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