The Fondue Fork Gives Cupid's Arrow a Run for its Money at The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. This Valentine's Day

Tampa, FL  (RestaurantNews.com)  The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. (http://www.meltingpot.com), the premier fondue restaurant franchise, combines an intimate atmosphere, secluded tables, a unique fondue dining experience and a Cupid’s Fondue Forks Facebook promotion to spark romance for couples this Valentine’s Day.

“There’s just something about the fondue dining experience that invites romance,” said Cindy Haynes, senior vice president marketing for Front Burner Brands, restaurant management company for The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. “We’re taking romance a step further this Valentine’s Day by sharing the love on Facebook through our Cupid’s Fondue Forks Facebook application that gives fondue fans a chance to win dinner for two at The Melting Pot with their special someone.”

The Cupid’s Fondue Forks application, available on The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/themeltingpotrestaurants) and all local Melting Pot Facebook pages from Jan. 23 – Feb. 17, gives fans the opportunity to share the love by hitting their special someone with Cupid’s Fondue Forks while entering to win one of 10 $100 Melting Pot gift cards. Ten randomly-selected winners will be announced Feb. 21.

Winners will have the opportunity to discover the fondue effect and ignite romance even after Valentine’s Day has come and gone during The Melting Pot’s four-course experience – cheese fondue, salad, entree and the romantic chocolate dessert fondue finale.

Reservations are strongly encouraged for Valentine’s Day. Many locations offer special menus for multiple days during the week of Valentine’s Day. Specials vary by location.

To make reservations, find locations or view Valentine’s Day specials, visit http://www.meltingpot.com.

About The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc.

With more than 140 restaurants in North America, existing locations in 36 states, Canada and Mexico and more than 15 locations currently in development, The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. is the premier fondue restaurant franchise. Founded in 1975, The Melting Pot continues to be a memorable dining experience. Guests enjoy a choice of fondue cooking styles and a variety of unique entrees combined with dipping sauces. The menu also includes cheese fondues, salads, fine wines and chocolate fondue desserts. The Melting Pot is an affiliate of Front Burner Brands, a restaurant management company headquartered in Tampa, Fla. For more information, visit http://www.meltingpot.com.

Celebrate Valentine's Day at Pacific's Edge Restaurant

Salinas, CA  (RestaurantNews.com)  Pacific’s Edge at Hyatt Carmel Highlands,120 Highlands Drive, Carmel, culinary team announced today a special Valentine’s Day menu available Tuesday, February 14th. Valentine’s Day is a day to express your love, and to celebrate the spirit of love. Executive Chef Matt Bolton, Pastry Chef Gina Scalla, Wine Director Paul Fried and Restaurant Manager Jacques Melac have created a tantalizing menu sure to make the day extra special. Diners will choose one menu item for each course.

First Course

• Oyster Trio island creek- Massachusetts, Rockefeller kumamoto- Humbolt bay, chilled, ginger mignonette belon- wild, maine, sous vide, fennel pollen

• Hawaiian Kampachi lotus root, citurs coriander blossom, santa barbara uni, yuzu emulsion

• Heart of Palm Carpaccio pickled chanterelle, rocola arugula, parmigiano reggiano, perigord truffle

Second Course

• Dayboat Scallop sunchoke pureé, watercress, blood orange emulsion

• Crispy Sweetbreads cauliflower gratin, chanterelle, truffle emulsion

• Foie Gras Trio foie blond ~ black truffle «tuber melanosporum» seared ~ vanilla rum poached pineapple torchon ~ quince purée

Entrée

• Colorado Lamb Rib-Eye beurre rouge, «pommes dauphine», porcini, thyme jus

• John Dory Dungeness crab, truffle gnocchi, Swiss chard, chardonnay sauce

• Veal Costelleta Chop truffled chanterelle, parmesan potato gratin, bloomsdale spinach, sauce bordelaise

Dessert

• Warm Chocolate Tart chocolate feuilletine, lime, raspberry coulis, passionfruit ice cream

• Red Velvet Cake white chocolate mousse, chocolate pearls, champagne sabayon

• Meyer Lemon Parfait lemon curd, citrus, almond streusel, blood orange sherbet

The cost is $125 per person plus tax and gratuity or $175 per person plus tax and gratuity with wine pairings. Reservations -recommended. Please contact Pacific’s Edge at (831) 622-5445 or visit www.pacificsedge.com.

About Pacific’s Edge

Pacific’s Edge is an award winning, glass-walled restaurant with spectacular ocean vistas. Our “California Coastal” cuisine provides the freshest local ingredients, meats and seafood, with dishes that meld a seasonal focus with sophisticated comfort food in a convivial ambiance that makes it appealing for everyday dining or any special occasion. Pacific’s Edge has received AAA 4 Diamond awards year after year, and has been named one of the Top 100 Restaurants in the United States by Zagat and one of the Top Ten Restaurants with a View by USA Today. Wine Spectator has lauded our wine list throughout the years with both Grand and Best of Award of Excellence awards.

This Valentine’s Day Hooters is enticing customers to “forget the ring, and bring her in for wings” with a buy 10 get 10 wings for free offer.  All day on Monday, February 14th all guests who dine in at Hooters can take advantage of this value on boneless and traditional wings.

“Just because we don’t have a violin player and overpriced wine, does not mean Hooters isn’t a great place for Valentine’s Day,” said Mike McNeil, the Vice Prescient of Marketing for Hooters of America, LLC.  ”Valentine’s day is about love, and what is not to love about free Hooters wings.”

This is the first of many holiday deals that Hooters will be offering throughout the year nationwide.   

Hooters of America, LLC is the franchisor and operator of over 450 Hooters restaurants in 44 states and 29 foreign countries.  The first Hooters opened in 1983 in Clearwater, Florida.  Hooters is well-known for its brand of food and fun, featuring a casual beach-theme atmosphere, a menu that features seafood, sandwiches and Hooters nearly world famous chicken wings, and service provided by the All-American cheerleaders, the Hooters Girls.  For more information about Hooters visit www.Hooters.com or follow at www.twitter.com/Hooters or www.Facebook.com/Hooters.

Seventy million Americans will celebrate Valentine’s Day at a restaurant this year, according to the National Restaurant Association. The Association’s new consumer research shows that about one-third of consumers (31 percent) say they will dine out this February 14.

“There is no better way to celebrate romance than to share a great meal at a restaurant – and millions of Americans will do just that this Valentine’s Day,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the National Restaurant Association. “When it comes to choosing a restaurant for that special meal, consumers’ top three deciding factors are the familiarity of a favorite eatery, a romantic setting, and special menu offerings.”

Younger adults are more likely to enjoy a special Valentine’s Day meal at a restaurant than older adults; 33 percent of 18-34-year olds, and 39 percent of 35-44-year olds say they plan to dine out for a Valentine’s Day meal, compared with 27 percent of those 55 and older.

When it comes to factors involved in choosing where to dine out for Valentine’s Day, most consumers (42 percent) say they pick their favorite restaurant or their companion’s favorite restaurant for their special meal. Twenty-one percent select a restaurant with a romantic atmosphere, followed by restaurants that offer special menus or promotions (13 percent), restaurants picked by their companion (12 percent), and a restaurant they haven’t been to before (11 percent).

For younger consumers, a romantic atmosphere carries more weight when choosing a restaurant on Valentine’s Day than it does for older adults. Thirty-nine percent of 18-34-year olds said that was the most important factor for them, compared with only 8 percent of those 65 and older.

The Association also surveyed member restaurants on what type of promotions they would offer around Valentine’s Day, and the most common responses were special menu items (63 percent), prix fixe menu (45 percent), celebratory beverages or desserts (34 percent), flower/candy (28 percent), and entertainment/music (13 percent). In addition, 63 percent considered Valentine’s Day falling on a Monday – a typically slower day of the week – an advantage.

Previous research by the Association shows that Valentine’s Day is the second most popular holiday to dine out, after Mother’s Day.

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 960,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of nearly 13 million employees. Together with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead America’s restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence, and participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve. For more information, visit our Web site at www.restaurant.org.

For February 14th, Petite Abeille, radiating enticing coziness at its four Manhattan locations, will tempt Valentine’s Day diners of the romantic persuasion and those for whom Cupid’s big day is a dining out nightmare of overblown, over-priced prix fixe menus. Couples desirous of saluting love over a celebratory dinner can do so without feeling sinful about its cost at just $45 person, while non-lovers can savor Belgian classics from Petite Abeille’s always alluring a la carte menu. Either way, the standing Monday night policy of half-price on the city’s largest selection of Belgian beers can be embraced.            

The special Valentine’s Day menu, which enables lovers to spend more on inedible gifts for her (or him), presents three beguiling courses, starting with a choice of Lobster Ravioli, scented with tarragon sauce Americaine and garnished with crispy leeks or Salade Gourmande “Petite Abeille,” mesclun and watercress with smoked salmon, country ham, wild mushrooms, marinated beets and fresh goat cheese crouton. The entrees are either Duo of Lamb, Trapiste beer-braised shoulder and roasted herb-crusted rack with parsnip and date puree and sauteed spinach or Sauteed Striped Bass with roasted Brussels sprouts with tomato, bacon and frisee salad … all topped off by a sinful confection dubbed Chocolate Addiction.

For those simply craving a soul-satisfying meal on a cold winter’s night, there are few better options in New York City than Petite Abeille with modestly priced a la carte offerings such as Carbonnade Flamande, Flemish-style beef stew and captivating burger preparations, all served with Belgian fries … especially on Valentine’s Day.

Petite Abeille: 401 E. 20th Street, 212-727-1505; 466 Hudson Street, 212-741-6479; 44 West 17th, 212-727-2989; and 134 West Broadway, 212-791-1360. http://www.petiteabeille.com

Contact: Shelley Clark, sclark@platformcomm.com, 646-489-8582

For Valentine’s Day, Ponte’s, the classic Italian waterfront anchor of Manhattan’s trendy Tribeca dining scene since 1967, embraces Old World romance and contemporary tastes with three options on Saturday, February 12 and Monday, February 14. Lovers can savor a passion-promoting three-course prix-fixe menu with a memory-making finale – seductive dessert buffet, free-flowing Prosecco and dancing to mood-inducing tunes spun by popular DJ Johnny V – for $80 per person. Alternatively, they can chart their culinary course to romance with a special a la carte menu showcasing Ponte’s classics, like the world-famous “Angry Lobster,” and still delight in the pleasures of the D&D (Dessert & Dancing) Room for an additional $25 each. Or for that same $25 per person, they can make Ponte’s D&D Room their destination after an evening spent elsewhere, relishing its pastries, cakes, petite fours, chocolate fountain, endless Prosecco (cash bar too, should the Italian bubbly not quench amorous thirsts) and dancing.

Whether they spend or end their evening at Ponte’s, couples will be treated to the restaurant’s stunning Hudson River views, gracious service, for which the Ponte family has stood for nearly 45 years, and complimentary valet parking.

Highlights of the $80 prix-fixe, in addition to access to the D&D Room’s temptations, include appetizers such as duos of shrimp, oysters and little neck clams and heart shaped ravioli filled with goat cheese, spinach and sun dried tomato. Among entree showstoppers: grilled Australian lamb chops, red wine sauce, goat cheese, mashed potatoes and string beans and grilled whole branzino, black truffle sauce sauteed broccoli and roasted potatoes.

Ponte’s will celebrate Valentine’s Day on Feb. 12 and 14 at 39 Desbrosses Street. Reservations via 212-226-4621 or on OpenTable. http://www.pontesrestaurant.com

SAN FRANCISCO  (RestaurantNews.com)  According to a new survey by OpenTable, Inc. (Nasdaq:OPEN), a leading provider of free, real-time online restaurant reservations for diners and guest management solutions for restaurants, this Valentine’s Day is poised to be a busy one for restaurants with nearly 90 percent of respondents saying they plan to celebrate by dining out.   

“When Valentine’s Day bookends a weekend, it’s typically good for restaurants and diners,” said Caroline Potter, Chief Dining Officer for OpenTable. “With Valentine’s Day falling on a Monday, diners have four days – Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday – to enjoy a romantic meal with their loved ones. Plus, ‘Valentine’s Day Weekend’ provides more opportunities to secure reservations at the most popular romantic restaurants.”

While February 14 is the day of choice for 39 percent of respondents, many will celebrate another day:

• 30 percent plan to dine out on Saturday, February 12
• 15 percent plan to dine out on Sunday, February 13
• 4 percent plan to dine out on Friday, February 11
• 12 percent plan to dine out on more than one of these days to celebrate

It also appears the recession’s grip may be easing on OpenTable diners. More diners are planning to dine out for Valentine’s Day this year and, of those who dined out last year to celebrate, the majority plan to match their 2010 dining tab or step it up a notch:

• Approximately 90 percent plan to spend more or about the same amount as last year
• 58 percent plan to spend $100 to $200
• 12 percent plan to spend over $200

For those looking for a bigger night out this year, romantics in the nation’s capital won’t be freezing their spending plans.  Of the diners who said they plan to spend more this year than last, the highest percentage of respondents hailed from Washington D.C. (25 percent), followed by Baltimore (24 percent) and Miami (23 percent).

On the flip side, many North Carolinians are looking to scale down the festivities this year. The highest percentage of diners planning to spend less this year than last year hail from Charlotte and the Raleigh-Durham/Chapel Hill  region (tied at 16 percent), followed by Seattle (15 percent).

While 70 percent of diners planned to book comfortably ahead of time, nearly 19 percent will wait until the week before Valentine’s Day. For diners still searching for the right restaurant, OpenTable.com provides Diners’ Choice Top Ten Most Romantic Restaurants lists for each metro region and access to specials and menu details for February 14.  For more information, please visit www.opentable.com/valentines. Diners can also find more tips and trends regarding Valentine’s Day on the “Dining Check” blog at OpenTable: http://blog.opentable.com.

About OpenTable, Inc. 

OpenTable is a leading provider of free, real-time online restaurant reservations for diners and reservation and guest management solutions for restaurants. The OpenTable network delivers the convenience of online restaurant reservations to diners and the operational benefits of a computerized reservation book to restaurants. OpenTable has more than 15,000 restaurant customers, and, since its inception in 1998, has seated more than 175 million diners around the world. The Company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and the OpenTable service is available throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. OpenTable also owns and operates toptable.com, a leading restaurant reservation site in the United Kingdom.    

OpenTable, OpenTable.com, OpenTable logos, toptable and other
service names are the trademarks of OpenTable, Inc. and/or its affiliates

Outback Steakhouse is inviting customers to share a Sweetheart Meal with someone special this Valentine’s weekend. Available at one down under price, this shared dinner for two includes a Bloomin’ Onion; two Outback Special Sirloins; choice of freshly made sides and signature salad per person; and a slice of Classic Cheesecake.

Outback’s Sweetheart Meal is available Friday through Monday, February 11-14, 2011.  Please visit www.outback.com for locations and pricing.

Outback Steakhouse was again voted #1 Best Steak in the 2010 Zagat Survey of National Full-Service Restaurant Chains for the second consecutive year. Outback Steakhouse starts fresh every day to create the flavors that our mates crave. Best known for grilled steaks, chicken and seafood, Outback also offers a wide variety of crisp salads and freshly made soups and sides. New creations and grilled classics are made from scratch daily using only the highest quality ingredients sourced from around the world. For more information, please visit www.outback.com or http://www.facebook.com/outback.

As if the delicious, pepperoni Heart-Shaped Pizza wasn’t enough to please Papa Murphy’s customers this Valentine’s Day, the take ‘n’ bake chain announced today the launch of its S’mores Dessert Pizza. The decadent treat is made with real Hershey’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, mini marshmallows and a delicious crisp topping. The S’mores Dessert Pizza paired with the Heart-Shaped Pizza is the perfect solution for a couple’s sweet and savory cravings this Valentine’s Day.

“Like some of our most popular pizzas, the S’mores Dessert Pizza evolved from feedback from our franchise owners and guests,” said Carron Harris, VP of product development. “We tested it in several markets and the customer response was phenomenal! It’s a great addition to our dessert options.”  

The S’mores Dessert Pizza and Heart-Shaped Pizza are both budget-friendly products that are made fresh each day in Papa Murphy’s 1,200+ locations and baked up hot in a customer’s oven. Price and participation varies nationwide.

Papa Murphy’s is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country and the pioneer and leader of the take ‘n’ bake pizza segment. Papa Murphy’s operates over 1,200 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 37 states and Canada. The Vancouver, Wash.-based company offers custom-made pizzas featuring high-quality, fresh toppings generously layered on pizza dough that is made fresh each morning in each store.  By baking Papa Murphy’s pizzas at home, customers get to experience the home-baked aroma of a convenient, delicious meal that the brand is known for. In addition to handmade pizzas, the company offers a growing menu of take ‘n’ bake items, including Cheesy Bread, Cinnamon Wheels, and chocolate chip cookie dough. Papa Murphy’s was recently voted “#1 Rated Pizza Chain” by surveyors in Zagat Survey’s 2010 Fast Food Survey and is a four-time recipient of Pizza Today’s Chain of the Year award. For more information, visit www.papamurphys.com. Find Papa Murphy’s on Facebook at www.facebook.com/papamurphyspizza.

Cupid’s arrow strikes again as Krispy Kreme brings back its classic and loveable Valentine’s Day treats.

Sweethearts everywhere can enjoy Krispy Kreme’s festive goodies with friends or loved ones now through February 14:

• Krispy Kreme’s delightful Sprinkled Heart doughnut will melt more than a few hearts. This heart-shaped treat is covered with mouth-watering white icing and Valentine’s sprinkles.
• The Chocolate Iced doughnut with Valentine’s Sprinkles is also a must-have during the season of love. This Original Glazed doughnut is dipped in delicious chocolate icing and is then covered with Valentine’s Sprinkles.
• The Chocolate Iced Heart with Red Drizzle is sure to put a spark in anyone’s day. This heart-shaped doughnut is covered in yummy chocolate icing and decorated with a red drizzle.  

“Keep your Valentine love-struck with Krispy Kreme’s delectable Valentine’s Day doughnuts,” said Ron Rupocinski, corporate chef at Krispy Kreme. “For each dozen purchased, lovebirds can enjoy 12 Valentine’s Cards, each with a coupon for one free doughnut, or one free small hot chocolate or small hot coffee.”

For a red-hot Valentine’s treat, Krispy Kreme is also offering Original Glazed heart-shaped doughnuts on Valentine’s Day only at select stores.

Krispy Kreme’s lovely treats are available now and will remain in participating U.S. and Canadian retail stores through February 14. Product offerings vary by market.

For updates on special promotions, exclusive offers and local events, join “Friends of Krispy Kreme” by visiting www.KrispyKreme.com or interact with Krispy Kreme at www.facebook.com/KrispyKreme and www.twitter.com/krispy_kreme.

SAN FRANCISCO  (RestaurantNews.com)  Just in time for Valentine’s Day, OpenTable, Inc. (Nasdaq:OPEN), a leading provider of free online restaurant reservations for diners and guest management solutions for restaurants, today announced the 50 winners of its Diners’ Choice Awards for Most Romantic Restaurants. The list of winners is derived from more than seven million reviews submitted by OpenTable diners for more than 12,000 restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

French and Italian cuisines are normally closely associated with romance, but in this year’s most romantic list home is where the heart is. American cuisine steals the show with 14 restaurants serving domestic fare around the nation earning high marks in the romantic category. Like last year, chocolate and cheese continue to please couples, with 12 fondue restaurants making the list.

From a regional standpoint, California restaurants cornered the market on romance with 10 restaurants earning top spots. Also noteworthy, New York came in second with four wins and Virginia proves it’s still for lovers with three wins, a distinction shared by Indiana and Ohio.

“There’s no single recipe for romance when you’re dining out,” said Caroline Potter, OpenTable’s Chief Dining Officer. “This year’s results jettison the myths that only certain cuisines – or cities – can be perceived as romantic. Of course, the fact that fondue continues to melt hearts shouldn’t be shocking as sharing adds an element of fun and flirtation to any food!”

Based on feedback collected from OpenTable diners between January 2010 and December 2010, the following 50 restaurants, listed in alphabetical order, received the highest scores from OpenTable diners. For more information about this list, please visit http://www.opentable.com/romantic.

For diners preparing to make reservations for Valentine’s Day, OpenTable.com provides Diner’s Choice Top Ten Most Romantic Restaurants lists for each metro region and access to specials and menu details for February 14.  For more information, please visit www.opentable.com/valentines. Diners can also find additional information on the Diners’ Choice Most Romantic Restaurants Awards by visiting Potter’s “Dining Check” blog on OpenTable at http://blog.opentable.com/.

About OpenTable, Inc. 

OpenTable is a leading provider of free, real-time online restaurant reservations for diners and reservation and guest management solutions for restaurants. The OpenTable network delivers the convenience of online restaurant reservations to diners and the operational benefits of a computerized reservation book to restaurants. OpenTable has more than 15,000 restaurant customers, and, since its inception in 1998, has seated more than 175 million diners around the world. The Company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, and the OpenTable service is available throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. OpenTable also owns and operates toptable.com, a leading restaurant reservation site in the United Kingdom.

Forget the smell of roses and sweet chocolate, this Valentine’s Day will bring the savory smell of steam-grilled onions. On Monday, Feb. 14, doting couples can enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner complete with special menus, tableside service and themed decorations at most White Castle restaurants. Hours vary by location, and reservations are filling up quickly.

Visit the White Castle website (link to www.whitecastle.com/promotions/valentine) for reservation details and telephone numbers.

“For 20 years, White Castle has hosted this special Valentine’s Day dinner for our most loyal and romantic Cravers,” said Jamie Richardson, vice president of government and corporate relations. “Love is always in the air at White Castle. A good number of our customers have met, shared a first date or even got married at a White Castle restaurant.”

From Jan. 25 – Feb. 14, the company is offering its “Sweetheart Meal Deal,” an online Facebook coupon that makes the evening even sweeter.

Each reservation party will receive a collapsible commemorative White Castle Valentine’s Day vase, as well as a complimentary digital photo available on the White Castle website after the event.

Valentine’s Day is just one of many special programs through which White Castle engages and rewards its Craver customers and family of team members. This Valentine’s Day is most notable as White Castle is celebrating its 90th birthday this year.

This Valentine’s Day, Marble Slab Creamery will show customers some “amore” by giving away a free sample of our new Tiramisu ice cream from 3 to 6 pm on Monday, February 14th.*  Marble Slab Creamery is managed by GFG Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group.

“Marble Slab Creamery is excited to share some love this Valentine’s Day by giving away a free sample of our new Tiramisu ice cream,” said Jenn Johnston, chief marketing and operations officer for GFG Management, LLC. “We hope that by giving back a gourmet treat to our customers, everyone will feel special on this holiday.”

In addition to the free Tiramisu ice cream sample giveaway on Valentine’s Day, customers who pre-order a Marble Slab Creamery Ice Cream Cake online or in-store between February 1, 2011 and February 10, 2011 will receive a free small Tiramisu Crunch Tasty Creation.

The Tiramisu Crunch Tasty Creation includes:

• Tiramisu Ice Cream
• Yellow Cake
• Nestle Crunch
• Fudge

To order your Marble Slab Creamery Ice Cream Cake or to find out more information about the Valentine’s Day Tiramisu ice cream sample giveaway, customers can visit www.marbleslab.com.  For more information on Marble Slab Creamery, please visit www.marbleslab.com and join Marble Mail or become a Facebook® fan.

* While supplies last. Limit one offer per guest during the day of the promotion. Counts vary by store. Valid only at participating U.S. stores.  No purchase necessary.

Even amidst grim financial times, decadence will rule this Valentine’s Day at the region’s upscale restaurants, with menus commanded by salivating descriptions of steak, veal, oysters and lobster, and romantic desserts drenched in chocolate.

It’s part of a strategy to entice lovebirds looking for romantic affirmation into splurging a little on their lover — and restaurants that cater to celebrations and special occasions are counting on big checks from satisfied couples to buoy their bottom lines during the traditionally slow time of year, made even more so by high unemployment and penny-pinching, recessionary spending.

In 2009, fine-dining restaurants were hit by double-digit drops in revenue, according to the NPD Group, a market research firm. For a traditionally popular holiday, surviving upscale restaurant owners are making every effort to ensure that customers are not rushed out the door, but also to cram as many reservations as possible into their schedule.

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Whether you are a modern day Casanova, a hopeless romantic or just love to flirt, your favorite pick up line may earn you more than just a smile or grimace this Valentine’s Day.

Pizza Hut is inviting consumers with silver tongues to share pick up lines – the best, the worst and the cheesiest – by tweeting @pizzahut for the chance to win a single order of HERSHEY’S® Chocolate Dunkers®, Pizza Hut’s chocolate-topped dessert sticks.  Even if you are more of the target for amateur Cupid remarks than the sugar lips dishing out sweet commentary, Pizza Hut would love to hear a line that won you over.

“Valentine’s Day is all about cheesy pick up lines,” said Pizza Hut Tweetologist Alexa Robinson. “As a southern girl, one of my favorites is, ‘Are you from Tennessee? Because you’re the only ten I see!’ I’m excited to see what other people send in.”

To help set the mood for sweet tweeting, @pizzahut has compiled some more favorites:

“Hope you know CPR because you take my breath away.”

“Did it hurt…When you fell from heaven?”

“You must be tired. You have been running through my dreams all night.”

“I have had a really bad day and it always makes me feel better to see a pretty girl smile. So, would you smile for me?

How to Enter

Sweet talkers and those who’ve heard every line in the book alike can enter by visiting http://twitter.com/PizzaHut. Participants are asked to tweet replies using the hashtag #iluvPH and directing tweets to @pizzahut. Submissions must be “G” rated and will be judged on originality and “sweetness” (see Official Rules at www.pizzahut.com/newsroom.aspx). The sweetest tweets will be selected by Tweetologist Alexa and the team at Pizza Hut.  Pizza Hut will accept entries February 11 – February 14, 2010. Winners will be notified by direct message on Twitter on or by February 15, 2010.

The Prize

100 sweet tweeters will win a free single order of HERSHEY’S® Chocolate Dunkers®, Pizza Hut’s chocolate-topped dessert sticks (in the form of a $5 Pizza Hut gift card).

Any dessert lover is sure to fall for Pizza Hut’s HERSHEY’S® Chocolate Dunkers®. HERSHEY’S® Chocolate Dunkers are freshly-baked, soft, melt-in-your-mouth dessert sticks topped with white chocolate and HERSHEY’S® milk chocolate – served with rich chocolate dipping sauce!  The HERSHEY’S® trademark and trade dress are used under license.

Pizza Hut, America’s Favorite Pizza, delivers more pizza, pasta and wings than any other restaurant. The only pizza company to be named a top ten franchise in 2009 by Entrepreneur Magazine, Pizza Hut began 50 years ago in Wichita, Kansas and today operates more than 10,000 restaurants in over 90 countries. Pizza Hut, Inc. is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. ( YUM). To check out what’s new at Pizza Hut visit pizzahut.com.

Earthquake survivors in Haiti will get a little extra love on Valentine’s Day as 15 top U.S. restaurants will donate a portion of their proceeds to a unique initiative called “Hearts for Haiti: An American Dining Relief Benefit,” the Pan American Development Foundation and its partners announced. www.HaitiHearts.org

Hearts for Haiti was conceived by Bravo’s “Top Chef” Season Six contestant Chef Ron Duprat, a native of Haiti and now Executive Chef at Latitudes Beach Cafe at the Hollywood Beach Marriott  in Florida, to raise money for relief and recovery efforts by three non-profit organizations, including PADF.

“Chef Ron Duprat’s initiative is a terrific way for people to celebrate their love for each other, while at the same time helping the survivors of today’s worst natural disaster in the hemisphere,” says Jimmy Jean-Louis, who plays the “Haitian” on NBC’s hit series “Heroes” and is PADF’s Goodwill Ambassador. www.HaitiHearts.org

Benefiting organizations are: PADF, along with its partners Hollywood Unites for Haiti (HUFH) and the Organization of American States (OAS) www.padf.org; and Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid based in St. Louis. www.KinshipCircle.org/haiti/

Participating restaurants are:

Arizona

Chef Todd Sicolo at Frank & Albert’s Restaurant at The Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix www.arizonabiltmore.com/dining/biltmore.aspx

California

Mattin Nobilia of Iluna Basque Restaurant in San Francisco www.ilunabasque.com

Connecticut

Adam Greenberg of Barcelona Wine Bar in West Hartford www.barcelonawinebar.com

Florida

Allen Susser of Chef Allen’s Seafood Grill in Aventura www.chefallens.com

Ron Duprat of Latitudes Beach Cafe at the Hollywood Beach Marriott  in Hollywood www.latitudesonthebeach.com

Niranjan Perera of Nilus Delights Bakery in Hollywood

Michelle Bernstein of Michy’s in Miami www.michysmiami.com

Sean Gavin of Crave Restaurant in Fort Myers

James Hudson of J Bistro in Fort Myers www.jbistros.com

Tim Andriola of Timo Restaurant in Sunny Isles www.timorestaurant.com

Chef Sigfredo Gonzalez at Borinqueya  in Davie www.borinqueyarestaurant.com

Chef Steve Mendez at Top Chef Restaurant and Lodge in North Ft. Lauderdale

Jose Pastrana of Trina Restaurant at the Atlantic Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale www.trinarestaurantandlounge.com

Georgia

Hector Santiago of Pura Vida-Latino Tapas Restaurant & Bar in Atlanta www.puravidatapas.com

New Jersey

Chef J. Geoffrey at The Copperfish Restaurant  in Cape May www.thecopperfishrestaurant.com

In Pasadena, Calif., Michael Voltaggio of The Dining Room, Langham Huntington Hotel & Spa has donated two dining gift certificates valued at $400, which will be auctioned. www.pasadena.langhamhotels.com

Apart from Hearts for Haiti, individual and corporate donations to PADF-OAS-HUFH’s Haiti relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts are encouraged by calling toll-free (877) 572-4484 or visiting www.PanAmericanRelief.org. Text HEAL to 50555 to donate $5.

About HUFH

Hollywood Unites For Haiti is a non-profit charitable aid organization based in Los Angeles that that is lead by Jimmy Jean-Louis. www.hufh.org.

About the OAS

The Organization of American States (OAS) is the world’s oldest regional organization and today is comprised of 34 countries from Latin America and the Caribbean. www.oas.org

About PADF

PADF is a non-profit organization established in 1962 to promote, facilitate, and implement social and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the past year, it had more than 5.6 million beneficiaries in 18 countries.

PADF is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Haiti. With nearly three decades of work on the ground, PADF now manages a large portfolio of activities ranging from community-driven development to protecting human rights.

Its headquarters is in Washington, D.C., and has field offices in Haiti, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and elsewhere. www.padf.org

Whataburger celebrates Valentine’s Day with a sweetheart deal for couples featuring its most beloved limited time menu item. From 5 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, February 14, any couple can purchase a Patty Melt Whatameal, which includes fries and a drink, and receive a second Patty Melt Whatameal free for dine-in service. Customers can even send a special e-vite from www.whataburger.com to ask their Valentines to join them for “I Love Patty Melt” night.

Whataburger fans who found love under the orange W are the inspiration for the burger chain’s “I Love Patty Melt” promotion. Customer John Miller met his wife Linda at a San Antonio, Texas, Whataburger in 1981 when she was an assistant manager and he stopped in for breakfast. Their first date followed over a Whataburger breakfast and two weeks later, they became engaged. The couple still celebrates every November 28 at “their” Whataburger and in 2008, arrived to find a reserved table prepared for them by the restaurant team with white linens, flowers, cake and matching his-and-her Whataburger-branded Fossil watches.

“We’ve heard so many great Whataburger love stories from our customers, and our ‘I Love Patty Melt’ promotion is our way of thanking them for sharing their stories and hopefully inspiring some new ones,” said Rich Scheffler, Whataburger Restaurants, LP Group Director of Marketing. “We hope to see everyone – from couples who have just met to couples like the Millers who have been married for more than 25 years – enjoying our Patty Melt together on Valentine’s Day.”

Whataburger holds special memories for many customers, like Naomi Davis of Deer Park, Texas, who says she and her husband went dancing on their first date, and afterwards he asked where she’d like to go eat. She said “Whataburger” and that’s when he said he knew she was the one. Whataburger fan and National Guardsman Darrell Clendennen returned home from an overseas tour of duty in December to surprise his bride of 25 years with an anniversary party at a Houston Whataburger that had been specially decorated for the occasion. Newlyweds Kristen and James Gardiner, who met at a Whataburger while still in college, were engaged at that same Whataburger in College Station, Texas, and later posed for their wedding photos there.

Whataburger’s tasty Patty Melt, available through March 1, is made with two 100 percent fresh, never frozen, American beef patties grilled to perfection, topped with two slices of Monterey Jack cheese, grilled onions and a creamy pepper sauce between two slices of Texas toast. The meal comes with fries however customers can substitute a side salad for an additional charge. The Patty Melt first debuted on the menus in 2008.

ABOUT WHATABURGER SERVES:

“I Love Patty” is part of Whataburger Serves. The long term initiative includes events to build employee team spirit and morale, customer appreciation initiatives with fun moments and free food offers, and community initiatives that will support groups in need. To learn more about Whataburger Serves and coming plans, visit www.whataburger.com/whataburger_serves.

ABOUT WHATABURGER:

Whataburger has focused on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dobson gave his restaurant a name he hoped to hear customers say every time they took a bite of his made-to-order burgers: “What a burger!” Within the first week, people lined up around the block for his 25 cent, all-American beef burgers served on five-inch buns. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 700 locations in 10 states with sales of more than $1 billion annually. Visit www.whataburger.com for more information on the company.

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Whataburger celebrates Valentine’s Day with a sweetheart deal for couples featuring its most beloved limited time menu item. From 5 to 10 p.m. on Sunday, February 14, any couple can purchase a Patty Melt Whatameal, which includes fries and a drink, and receive a second Patty Melt Whatameal free for dine-in service. Customers can even send a special e-vite from www.whataburger.com to ask their Valentines to join them for “I Love Patty Melt” night.

Whataburger fans who found love under the orange W are the inspiration for the burger chain’s “I Love Patty Melt” promotion. Customer John Miller met his wife Linda at a San Antonio, Texas, Whataburger in 1981 when she was an assistant manager and he stopped in for breakfast. Their first date followed over a Whataburger breakfast and two weeks later, they became engaged. The couple still celebrates every November 28 at “their” Whataburger and in 2008, arrived to find a reserved table prepared for them by the restaurant team with white linens, flowers, cake and matching his-and-her Whataburger-branded Fossil watches.

“We’ve heard so many great Whataburger love stories from our customers, and our ‘I Love Patty Melt’ promotion is our way of thanking them for sharing their stories and hopefully inspiring some new ones,” said Rich Scheffler, Whataburger Restaurants, LP Group Director of Marketing. “We hope to see everyone – from couples who have just met to couples like the Millers who have been married for more than 25 years – enjoying our Patty Melt together on Valentine’s Day.”

Whataburger holds special memories for many customers, like Naomi Davis of Deer Park, Texas, who says she and her husband went dancing on their first date, and afterwards he asked where she’d like to go eat. She said “Whataburger” and that’s when he said he knew she was the one. Whataburger fan and National Guardsman Darrell Clendennen returned home from an overseas tour of duty in December to surprise his bride of 25 years with an anniversary party at a Houston Whataburger that had been specially decorated for the occasion. Newlyweds Kristen and James Gardiner, who met at a Whataburger while still in college, were engaged at that same Whataburger in College Station, Texas, and later posed for their wedding photos there.

Whataburger’s tasty Patty Melt, available through March 1, is made with two 100 percent fresh, never frozen, American beef patties grilled to perfection, topped with two slices of Monterey Jack cheese, grilled onions and a creamy pepper sauce between two slices of Texas toast. The meal comes with fries however customers can substitute a side salad for an additional charge. The Patty Melt first debuted on the menus in 2008.

“I Love Patty” is part of Whataburger Serves. The long term initiative includes events to build employee team spirit and morale, customer appreciation initiatives with fun moments and free food offers, and community initiatives that will support groups in need. To learn more about Whataburger Serves and coming plans, visit www.whataburger.com/whataburger_serves.

Whataburger has focused on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dobson gave his restaurant a name he hoped to hear customers say every time they took a bite of his made-to-order burgers: “What a burger!” Within the first week, people lined up around the block for his 25 cent, all-American beef burgers served on five-inch buns. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 700 locations in 10 states with sales of more than $1 billion annually. Visit www.whataburger.com for more information on the company.

• Restaurant Marketing Secrets
• The Restaurant Marketing Bible: How To Market Your Restaurant on a Shoestring Budget
• Restaurant Marketing Strategies: Dramatically Improve Your Restaurant Profits While Spending Less Money
• Foodservice Marketing for the ’90s: How to Become the #1 Restaurant in Your Neighborhood
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• The Food Service Professionals Guide to: Increasing Restaurant Sales
• The Food Service Professional Guide to Restaurant Promotion & Publicity: For Just a Few Dollars a Day
• Restaurant Biz Is Showbiz!: Why Marketing Is the Key to Your Success
• Restaurant Newsletters That Pay Off
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Bonefish Grill, the award-winning, polished casual restaurant specializing in market-fresh fish and wood-grilled specialties, announced today a partnership with The Ferrero Company, one of the world’s largest confectionery companies and a leader in the premium chocolates category. On Sunday, February 14, guests celebrating Valentine’s Day at Bonefish Grill restaurants will receive a taste of Ferrero® premium chocolates with complimentary Ferrero Rocher® chocolates and Ferrero Rondnoir® dark chocolates at the end of their meals. Guests can also enter Bonefish Grill’s “February is for Food Lovers” Sweepstakes from February 1-28 to win a trip for two to Paris and an assortment of Ferrero® premium chocolates.  

“We are committed to providing our guests an exceptional experience, whether for a special occasion or a casual meal any night of the week,” said John Cooper, president, Bonefish Grill. “By partnering with The Ferrero Company, we are excited to offer food lovers a taste of superior quality and indulgence.”

The “February is for Food Lovers” Sweepstakes will award one grand prize winner an all-expenses paid trip for two to Paris, plus a gift assortment of Ferrero® premium chocolates. One second place winner will win a year’s supply of the Ferrero Collection™ assorted confections, and five third place winners with receive a gift assortment of Ferrero® premium chocolates. For a chance to win the “February is for Food Lovers” Sweepstakes, guests can register at BonefishGrill.com/sweeps.

“We are delighted to partner with Bonefish Grill to create a special and memorable meal,” said Ioan Cusmir, Category Manager, Pralines, The Ferrero Company. “Guests can indulge in the multi-sensory experience of Ferrero® premium chocolates, which are the perfect affordable luxury for any day.”

For more information, visit www.BonefishGrill.com/sweeps and FerreroChocolatesUSA.com.

As the “Fresh Fish Experts,” Bonefish Grill specializes in market-fresh fish and other wood-grilled specialties. Knowledgeable and attentive Bonefish Grill Anglers (our service staff) provide the best in what we like to call “chef’s coat service.” Our Anglers pride themselves on guiding our guests’ journey through our innovative, seasonal menu and specials, which feature only the highest-quality, freshest ingredients, including traditional and unique varieties of fish and seafood as well as numerous non-seafood items. We combine this with a big city bar that offers bar fresh cocktails and an affordable, interesting wine list.

Recently named “Best Seafood Restaurant in the Nation” by a leading consumer product guide, Bonefish Grill can be found in 29 states around the nation. For more information, visit us on the Web at www.bonefishgrill.com, www.facebook.com/BonefishGrill or http://twitter.com/BoneFishGrill.

The Ferrero Company was established in 1946 in Alba, Italy. The company’s first product was made with hazelnuts and cocoa, resulting in the base ingredients for the world’s #1 selling sweet spread on the market today – Nutella® hazelnut spread. Since then, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest confectionery companies with a vast portfolio that includes high-quality products such as Ferrero Rocher® chocolates, Ferrero Rondnoir® dark chocolates, Kinder® chocolates, Raffaello® confections and Tic Tac® mints. Ferrero products are distributed globally throughout Europe, North America, Australia, Asia and South America. For more information, please visit http://www.ferrerochocolatesusa.com or www.facebook.com/Ferrero.

This Valentine’s Day, Dunkin’ Donuts wants you to think outside the traditional box of chocolates. February is “Chocolate Lovers” month at Dunkin’ Donuts, America’s all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods.  Whether you’re seeking a sweet treat for your sweetheart or perhaps a comforting snack to warm your own spirits on a cold winter day, throughout the month Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants will offer several new choices for a chocolate break that won’t break your budget.

For chocolate lovers looking for a treat for under a dollar, Dunkin’ Donuts is offering the new Triple Chocolate Donut, a chocolate cake donut topped with chocolate frosting and milk chocolate chips. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, Dunkin’ Donuts’ Sprinkle The Love Donut is a chocolate frosted yeast donut topped with special heart-shaped sprinkles. Both are available at the suggested retail price of 89 cents.

Dunkin’ Donuts has also introduced the new White Chocolate Latte topped with a mocha swirl drizzle.  Served hot or iced, white chocolate flavoring adds the perfect touch of chocolate to the traditional Dunkin’ Donuts latte. All Dunkin’ Donuts lattes are made with rich espresso, derived from high-quality, 100% Fair Trade Certified coffee beans, and steamed milk.

For Chocolate Lovers month, Dunkin’ Donuts is bringing back by popular demand two bakery favorites. The Triple Chocolate Muffin, made with a blend of cocoas and loaded with chocolate chunks and chips is available at the suggested retail price of $1.39. Dunkin’ Donuts’ brownie is topped with creamy chocolate icing, white chocolate shavings and a chocolate drizzle, and is available at the suggested retail price of $1.39.

Finally, Dunkin’ Donuts is encouraging people to create their own Hot Chocolate with delicious unsweetened flavors including caramel, coconut, blueberry, raspberry, French vanilla, hazelnut, cinnamon and toasted almond. Hot Chocolate lovers can choose one or more flavors to add to their Hot Chocolate or White Hot Chocolate to create their own personalized combination.

Hit by “CupiDD’s” Arrow?

For 60 years, Americans have met their significant other over Dunkin’ Donuts coffee and donuts. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Dunkin’ Donuts wants you to share your Dunkin’ Donuts love story. From February 8-11, Dunkin’ Donuts Facebook fans are encouraged to post a photo of themselves with their sweetheart and share their story of how Dunkin’ Donuts helped brew a romance. One winner will be selected to become Dunkin’ Donuts’ ‘CupiDD’s Pick of the Week’ and receive a $60 Dunkin’ Donuts Card in honor of Dunkin’ Donuts’ 60th birthday this year.  With more than 1 million fans on Dunkin’ Donuts’ Facebook page, there are sure to be enough inspirational stories to warm everyone’s heart for Valentine’s Day. To participate, visit http://www.facebook.com/dunkindonuts.

Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ Donuts is America’s favorite every day, all-day stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin’ Donuts is a market leader in the regular/decaf coffee, iced coffee, hot flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories, and the largest coffee and baked goods chain in the world. Dunkin’ Donuts has earned the No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for three years running. The company has more than 8,800 restaurants in 31 countries worldwide. In 2008, Dunkin’ Donuts’ global system-wide sales were $5.5 billion. Based in Canton, Massachusetts, Dunkin’ Donuts is a subsidiary of Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.

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White table cloths, candle light and waffles are the ingredients in a special Valentine’s recipe more than 40 Waffle House Restaurants will be serving up this Valentine’s Day.

For the third straight year, participating Waffle House restaurants will offer white tablecloth service by candlelight for customers on Valentine’s night. Today the participating restaurants will begin to take reservations from the public for the big night.

“The last two years have really showed us that this isn’t just a special dinner for our customers, it has become an event,” says Pat Warner, Waffle House Vice President of Marketing.  ”Valentines at Waffle House is becoming ‘the reservation’ to get for the truly romantic couples.”

Last week, Waffle House Regular Club members were given an exclusive chance to make their reservations and many took the opportunity. But there are still some reservations available. Customers can find a list of participating locations and phone numbers at http://www.wafflehouse.com and also sign up to become a member of the Waffle House Regulars’ Club.

“Nothing tells your significant other you love them more than a double order of ‘Scattered, Smothered and Covered’ hashbrowns” adds Warner.

Headquartered in Norcross, GA, Waffle House has been serving Good Food Fast® since 1955. Today the Waffle House system operates more than 1,600 restaurants in 25 states and is the world’s leading server of waffles, T-bone steaks, hashbrowns, cheese ‘n eggs, USDA Choice hamburgers, country ham, pork chops and grits.

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It has long been a tradition to shower one’s sweetheart with chocolaty, indulgent treats on Valentine’s Day. This year Cold Stone Creamery’s innovative Sr. Tastemaster has done it again, this time by transforming the iconic Chocolate Dipped Strawberry into a unique ice cream flavor.

Beginning Feb. 3 through March 31, Cold Stone Creamery locations across the country will feature Chocolate Dipped Strawberry ice cream. This new flavor exhibits a rich chocolate flavor combined with the lush freshness of real strawberries. In addition to being offered as a Cold Stone Creation, shake and cupcake, the new Chocolate Dipped Strawberry flavor will also be featured as a Heart-Shaped Cake. This romantic cake is made with layers of Chocolate Dipped Strawberry ice cream, strawberry puree and red velvet cake, wrapped in a proprietary fudge ganache that maintains its velvety texture through the freezing process.

“It’s my job to offer Cold Stone Creamery fans something new and relevant each season,” said Cold Stone Creamery’s Sr. Tastemaster^™, Ray Karam. “When you think of Valentine’s Day, the chocolate dipped strawberry is a very popular treat; I just took that flavor profile and applied it to our super-premium ice cream.”

The entire Chocolate Dipped Strawberry ice cream line will be in stores from Feb. 3 through March 31 including:

• Chocolate Strawberry Affair Creation — Chocolate Dipped Strawberry ice cream mixed with strawberries, chocolate shavings and strawberry puree.
• Chocolate Loves Strawberry Heart-Shaped Cake — Layers of Chocolate Dipped Strawberry ice cream, strawberry puree and red velvet cake, wrapped in a proprietary fudge ganache.
• Be My Cupcake — A rich chocolate cup filled with a layer of red velvet cake, strawberry puree and Chocolate Dipped Strawberry ice cream, topped with piped ganache and a strawberry.
• Chocolate Dipped Delight Shake — Chocolate Dipped Strawberry ice cream, milk and strawberry puree blended together, it’s a chocolate-strawberry lover’s dream.

Cold Stone Creamery delivers The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience® through a community of franchisees who are passionate about ice cream. The secret recipe for smooth and creamy ice cream is handcrafted fresh daily in each store, and then customized by combining a variety of mix-ins on a frozen granite stone. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Cold Stone Creamery is a subsidiary of Kahala, one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world, with a portfolio of 12 quick-service restaurant brands. Cold Stone Creamery operates more than 1,450 locations in 15 countries.

For more information about Cold Stone Creamery, visit www.coldstonecreamery.com. For more information about Kahala, visit www.kahalacorp.com.

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What’s shaped like a heart, loaded with cheese and pepperoni, and lots of fun for Valentine’s Day? Papa Murphy’s Heart-Shaped Pizza! For a great low price, customers can stop by any one of the take ‘n’ bake chain’s 1,180-plus locations and take home this February favorite.  Celebrating out on the town? For decades, the Heart-Shaped Pizza has been a parent’s fun dinner solution for the kids and babysitter.

“Pizza is a fun food to begin with, but make it heart-shaped for Valentine’s Day and you’ve got an equation for an entertaining and memorable meal!” said Carron Harris, vice president of product development at Papa Murphy’s. “Whether it’s a large family gathering or a romantic dinner for two, we’re honored that so many choose to celebrate the day with us!”

Like Papa Murphy’s other pizzas, the Heart-Shaped Pizza is a premium-quality, budget-friendly product that’s made fresh each day in Papa Murphy’s stores and baked up hot in a customer’s oven. Price and participation varies nationwide.

Papa Murphy’s is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the country and the pioneer and leader of the take ‘n’ bake pizza segment. Papa Murphy’s operates nearly 1,200 franchised and corporate-owned locations in 34 states and Canada. The Vancouver, Wash.-based company offers custom-made pizzas featuring high-quality fresh toppings generously layered on pizza dough that is made fresh each morning in each store.  By baking Papa Murphy’s pizzas at home, customers get to experience the home-baked aroma of a convenient, delicious meal that the brand is known for. In addition to handmade pizzas, the company offers a growing menu of take ‘n’ bake items, including Cheesy Bread, Cinnamon Wheels, and chocolate chip cookie dough. Papa Murphy’s has been voted “Best Pizza Chain in America” for seven consecutive years by consumers nationwide in the Restaurants and Institutions “Consumers’ Choice in Chains” survey and is a four-time recipient of Pizza Today’s Chain of the Year award, most recently in 2009. For more information, visit www.papamurphys.com.