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Iconic pizzeria earns 16th consecutive Top Workplace ranking and four special recognitions for workplace culture 

CHICAGO – (November 7, 2025) –  Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria has been named a Top Workplaces 2025 winner by the Chicago Tribune, ranking __ among large employers. In addition to this recognition, the company also earned four Top Workplaces 2025 Culture Excellence Awards: Woman-Led Top Workplace, Top Workplace for Appreciation, Employee Well-Being, and Professional Development Top Workplace. 

Lou Malnati’s is famous for serving authentic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, but the company’s recipe for success goes far beyond food. The pizzeria has now earned Top Workplace for the 16th consecutive year, bringing its total to more than 40 workplace awards – a testament to a culture built on listening, growth, and genuine care for its people. 

The awards are based entirely on employee feedback gathered through a confidential survey administered by Energage LLC. The survey measures key workplace factors including whether employees feel respected and supported, enabled to grow, and empowered to execute their work effectively. 

“For 50 years, we’ve believed that our success starts with our people. We’re committed to creating an environment where employees feel heard, and their feedback drives meaningful change across our organization,” said Marc Malnati, owner of Lou Malnati’s. “The Top Workplace and Culture Excellence awards demonstrate that when we listen and act on what our team tells us, we create a workplace where everyone can thrive. This recognition from our own employees means everything.” 

Julie Younglove-Webb, CEO of Lou Malnati’s said, “Being named a Top Workplace for the 16th consecutive year is an honor, especially because it’s based on what our employees say about working here. The four special awards we received reinforce our commitment to creating a workplace where people genuinely want to build their careers. Our culture is our competitive advantage, and this recognition proves it.” 

For Lou Malnati’s, these awards represent more than accolades; they drive continuous improvement. The company uses employee feedback to strengthen its culture year after year, celebrating teams with the highest and most improved engagement scores. This people-first approach has become as central to Lou Malnati’s identity as its signature pizza, helping the company attract and retain talent across its 70 locations in four states. 

Legendary Chicago pizzeria honors 50+ year Wisconsin dairy partnership with social media
cheese pull challenge

CHICAGO – (September 5, 2025) – Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, considered the oldest family name in Chicago pizza, is honoring National Cheese Pizza Day with a social media cheese pull challenge powered by Proudly Wisconsin Cheese. The campaign highlights Wisconsin’s world-class dairy tradition and Lou Malnati’s long-standing commitment to authentic mozzarella made with Wisconsin milk.

This National Cheese Pizza Day isn’t just about eating pizza, it’s about honoring Wisconsin dairy farmers, whose high-quality milk becomes the Wisconsin Cheese in every epic Lou Malnati’s cheese pull.

To showcase that superior quality in action, the social media Cheese Pull Challenge invites customers to order their favorite pizza from any Lou Malnati’s location for dine-in, pickup or delivery, then showcase their cheese pull skills by tagging @loumalnatis and using #LMCheesePullChallenge on Facebook or Instagram. The contest runs September 5-10, 2025, and the winner will receive free cheese pizza for an entire year.

Since 1971, the Chicago-born company has built its reputation on deep dish pizza while staying true to the original Chicago-style pizza recipe. Its legendary flavor starts with Proudly Wisconsin Cheese, crafted from the milk of Wisconsin dairy farmers to deliver the premium mozzarella that defines its family recipe.

“National Cheese Pizza Day gives us the perfect opportunity to celebrate our partnership with Wisconsin dairy farmers,” said Marc Malnati, owner of Lou Malnati’s. “While others celebrate with any pizza, we’re highlighting the specific Wisconsin cheese that makes our Chicago deep dish distinctive. That unique flavor and texture creates the perfect melt and those memorable stretches our customers love.”

Wisconsin has spent more than 180 years perfecting the art of cheesemaking. With 90% of the state’s renowned quality milk dedicated to cheese and more than 1,200 expert makers—many third-and-fourth generation—who carry forward a legacy of craftsmanship recognized around the world.

Can your cheese pull achieve the gold standard? Compare your results with Lou Malnati’s cheese pull on Instagram (@loumalnatis) serving as the ultimate stretch. Whether you’re dining in or trying the challenge at home, Lou Malnati’s commitment to premium Wisconsin mozzarella creates results other pizzas simply can’t achieve.

Legendary Pizzeria Becomes a Preferred Catering & Dining Partner of Northwestern Athletics

EVANSTON, IL – (September 2, 2025) – Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Chicago’s legendary deep dish destination, and Northwestern University Athletics announced a one-year athletic partnership that makes Lou Malnati’s a Preferred Catering and Dining Partner of Northwestern Athletics.

“We’re thrilled to take our long-standing relationship with Northwestern Athletics to the next level,” said Marc Malnati, owner at Lou Malnati’s. “Northwestern has been part of the Lou Malnati’s family for years and we’re excited to officially support all Wildcat athletes, fans and community members.”

For over 22 years, Lou Malnati’s Evanston restaurant has been serving up deep dish to the Northwestern community. The partnership positions Lou Malnati’s as a preferred catering partner for Northwestern sports teams, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting student athletes by making this partnership official.

Throughout the fall season, Wildcat fans can expect to see Lou Malnati’s bringing the deep dish experience directly to campus at signature events like Welcome Week, Meet the Team events, and football games. The Lou Malnati’s tent will be packed with exclusive merchandise, interactive games and exciting prize opportunities for fans who stop by.

To celebrate this new partnership, Lou Malnati’s and Northwestern have planned special activities and promotions for the Wildcat community.

Partnership Celebration Activities:

Campus Scavenger Hunt (September 4): Students and community members can participate in a campus-wide scavenger hunt across public outdoor spaces to find 10 tote bags filled with gift cards and exclusive merchandise. Select locations will be revealed on Lou Malnati’s Instagram (@loumalnatis) starting at 10 a.m.

Enter to Win Giveaway (September 2-12): Fans can enter to win free Lou Malnati’s pizza for a year plus four tickets to the Northwestern vs. Purdue game on October 18th. Entry details are available here.

Dessert Donations, In-Store Giving, and 53rd Annual Benefit Event Support Cancer Research

CHICAGO — (August 29, 2025) – Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria invites the community to support cancer research through its 53rd Annual Cancer Research Benefit on Saturday, September 27, and various fundraising initiatives throughout September.

The annual benefit continues more than five decades of commitment that began in 1971 when Lou Malnati first organized a benefit to honor his friend who battled cancer. What started as a small gathering has grown into one of Chicago’s longest-running charitable events, raising $4 million in the last five years alone for the Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Gilda’s Club of Chicago, and Pickles Group.

Ways to Support:
Dessert to Donate Campaign (August 29 – September 30): Lou Malnati’s will donate $1 from every dessert purchased to Lou Malnati’s Cancer Research Foundation.

In-Store Donations: Guests can purchase Donation Circles at all Lou Malnati’s locations throughout September or round up their bill to the nearest dollar when checking out.

Annual Benefit Event: The 53rd Annual Lou Malnati’s Cancer Research Benefit will take place on Saturday, September 27, at The Matrix Club in Naperville. The evening will feature dinner, entertainment, silent and live auctions, and raffle prizes. Event tickets must be purchased in advance, and raffle tickets and donations are also available at www.LMCB.org. Raffle winners do not need to be present to win.

“For 53 years, our customers and community have helped us support vital cancer research,” said Marc Malnati, owner of Lou Malnati’s. “Every donation, whether through our dessert-to-donate program, in-store giving, or attending our benefit, makes a difference in the fight against cancer. This cause has been close to our family’s heart since my father started this tradition.”

The Lou Malnati’s Cancer Research Foundation has funded research at leading institutions and has contributed to advances in cancer treatment and patient care. All proceeds benefit cancer research efforts. For more information about donation options and benefit tickets, visit www.LMCB.org, loumalnatis.com, or any Lou Malnati’s location.

Fan-favorite Recipes Made Easy, Signature Pizzas Available at all Lou Malnati’s
Locations Beginning June 26

CHICAGO — (June 26, 2025) — Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, known for its legendary Chicago-style deep dish pizza, is officially launching its Signature Pizza Menu on June 26, featuring a lineup of curated guest favorites — including the debut of the brand-new Margherita Pesto Pizza.

Founded in Chicago in 1971, Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is considered the oldest—and most iconic—family name in authentic Chicago-style deep dish pizza. The new Signature Pizza Menu celebrates Lou Malnati’s rich history and flavor, featuring its most popular pizza recipes served over the past 50 years. Headlining the new signature menu’s debut on June 26 is the Margherita Pesto Pizza. This vibrant, vegetarian-friendly pizza features melty Wisconsin mozzarella cheese and vine-ripened tomatoes topped with fresh mozzarella slices and generous dollops of artisan nut-free basil pesto sauce that is made fresh, in-house daily.

In addition to the Margherita Pesto Pizza, the Signature Menu will feature four of Lou Malnati’s most popular and best-selling pizzas since opening its first location in 1971, specifically curated by Lou Malnati’s culinary team. Crafted to deliver the signature Lou Malnati’s experience, the Signature Menu includes:

● Malnati Chicago Classic: Lou’s most legendary recipe, this is the ultimate authentic Chicago pizza and a staple at Lou’s. Available in deep dish only featuring the family’s secret Buttercrust™ recipe, this pizza is topped with Lou’s proprietary sausage blend, extra mozzarella cheese for the quintessential cheese pull, and vine-ripened tomato sauce.
● The Lou: This Malnati family favorite is made with spinach, mushrooms, and sliced Roma tomatoes, covered with three cheeses and served on garlic Buttercrust™.
● Veggie: This vegetarian-friendly classic recipe is built with mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and topped with Lou’s famous chef-crafted vine-ripened tomato sauce.
● Mike’s Hot Honey: Once a limited-time-only offering, it has earned its permanent place on Lou Malnati’s Signature Menu. Made with Lou’s proprietary sausage blend, hot giardiniera, cupped
pepperoni and a drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey, this is a Chicago take on America’s favorite pizza condiment.

Each Signature Pizza delivers on Lou’s promise of fresh ingredients, handcrafted quality and great flavor — all while offering a simple way to experience Lou Malnati’s most iconic recipe combinations. Signature Pizzas are available on Lou Malnati’s legendary deep dish crust, thin crust, gluten-free crust, and a “crustless” option, as well.

“Lou Malnati’s Pizzerias have stayed true to the original Chicago-style deep dish pizza recipe that Lou Malnati helped create in 1943 at Chicago’s first deep dish pizzeria; We continue to build on our family’s legacy with the new Signature Menu,” said Marc Malnati, owner of Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. “We use only the freshest and finest ingredients available and our commitment to quality and consistency is what has set us apart for more than 50 years– including our family’s secret recipe for flaky, buttery crust that has been passed down for generations. This new menu celebrates our past, present and future–and gives guests the best of Lou’s.”

The Signature Menu and the brand-new Margherita Pesto Pizza will be available at all Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria locations starting June 26, 2025. To celebrate the new Signature Menu, Lou Malnati’s is offering an exclusive deal for Lou’s Rewards loyalty members: each signature pizza is only $19.71 for a limited time. Lou’s Rewards is free to join; sign up online at www.loumalnatis.com/signature-pizzas.

For more information about Lou Malnati’s and its new menus, please visit www.loumalnatis.com.

Former Auntie Anne’s Executive to Guide Legendary Pizzeria’s Next Growth Phase

CHICAGO, June 16, 2025 – Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria announced Monday the appointment of Julie Younglove-Webb as chief executive officer, effective June 16, 2025.

Younglove-Webb joins the legendary deep-dish pizzeria from Auntie Anne’s, a GoTo Foods brand, where she most recently served as senior vice president and chief brand officer. Her industry background includes senior leadership roles at Domino’s Pizza and Potbelly Corporation, where she oversaw corporate and restaurant operations, respectively.

Throughout her career, she has developed strategies that increased revenue, profits and employee retention across multiple brands, with expertise spanning operations and retail brand development.

Younglove-Webb’s connection to Lou Malnati’s runs deeper than her professional background. As a former Chicago-area resident and longtime customer, she brings personal appreciation for the brand’s place in the city’s culinary landscape.

“I’m so excited to join a company that has such strong Chicago roots and a long tradition of quality,” Younglove-Webb said. “Lou Malnati’s stands for everything that I care about in restaurant leadership, real recipes, warm hospitality and a family feel. My goal is to keep that tradition alive and help the company thrive.”

Her combination of professional expertise and personal connection to the brand resonates with Lou Malnati’s ownership.

“Julie brings the right mix of restaurant know-how and genuine appreciation for what we’ve built here,” said Marc Malnati, owner of Lou Malnati’s. “She’s proven she can grow great food brands while staying true to their roots, and that’s exactly our vision for Lou Malnati’s.”

Founded in 1971, Lou Malnati’s has grown from a single location in Lincolnwood to become one of Chicago’s most recognizable pizza brands, renowned for its signature deep-dish pizza and commitment to high-quality ingredients.