Smart Promotions, Not Constant Discounts

How to Drive Pizza Sales Without Training Customers to Expect a Deal

With the right strategy, you can run promotions that build excitement, boost profits, and keep customers coming back—without discounting your menu into the ground. Smart promotions aren’t just about slashing prices; they’re about using incentives wisely to grow your business in a healthy way.

Promotions That Help You Win (Not Lose)

Discounts can be tempting—especially when traffic dips or when a new competitor opens nearby. But constant promotions can actually hurt your store in the long run. When customers learn to wait for a deal, full price items become harder to sell. Over time, that lowers profits and can reduce customer urgency.

At TBHC Delivers®, we’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to smart promotions in the convenience store space. The goal is to drive sales without taking away value. By focusing on promotions that feel timely, relevant, and special, you can keep customers engaged and excited—without training them to expect constant markdowns.

The Problem with Constant Discounts

Let’s be real: everyone loves a deal. But if your pizza is always on sale, it’s not a deal anymore—it’s the expectation. And when that happens, your customers may start viewing your full-price items as overpriced, or worse, not worth buying at all.

Here’s why frequent discounts can backfire:

• They reduce your profit margin. You make less per item, and that adds up fast—especially when dealing with already-tight margins.
• They train customers to wait. If someone knows there’s always a “buy one get one” deal coming, they’ll hold off until it appears.
• They devalue your product. Customers begin to associate your food with cheapness, not quality or convenience. That perception is hard to reverse.

Instead of a never-ending sale, think about promotions as tools—something you pull out when it adds value, not something that’s always running in the background. Smart, limited time promotions can create urgency and excitement without hurting your store.

Run Promotions with Purpose

Reacting to slow sales with discounts may seem like a quick fix, but it’s much more effective to have a plan. Purpose-driven promotions feel more intentional and are more likely to create loyal customers.

Try promotions that:

• Celebrate something. Tie promotions to real events: game days, holidays, store anniversaries, or local happenings. People love a reason to treat themselves.
• Introduce something new. Launch a new topping combo or product with a short-term bundle offer to drive awareness and trial.
• Reward loyal customers. Use Hunt Brothers® Pizza’s repeat reward cards or occasional surprise freebies to show appreciation and create repeat visits.

When promotions have a reason behind them, they feel more like a bonus—not a gimmick.

Smart Promotion Ideas That Work

These tried-and-true strategies help you promote without cheapening your product. They’re designed to add value to the customer experience while maintaining your store’s credibility and margin.

Limited Time Offers (LTOs). Use scarcity to create urgency. A limited time offer (like “Two days only”) tells customers they need to act now. This works especially well with specialty toppings or seasonal products.

Bundled Combos. Add value without slashing price. Offer a combo meal that includes a drink or side for a small added cost:

• Hunk A Pizza® + WingBites® + Drink = Perfect Combo
• Two Whole Pizzas for $1 off

Bundles encourage larger purchases while making the customer feel like they’re getting a great deal.

Product Sampling. Offering samples during peak hours helps convert browsers into buyers. This works especially well for new items like Thin Crust or Breakfast Pizza. Sampling introduces customers to products they might not try otherwise.

Punch Cards That Reward Loyalty. TBHC Delivers offers Hunt Brothers Pizza punch cards to help you reward repeat buyers without cutting into your margin.

Here’s how they work:

• Buy 7 Hunks, get the 8th free
• Buy 7 Whole Pizzas, get the 8th free
• Buy 7 orders of Wings or WingBites, get the 8th free

These loyalty based promos encourage repeat visits and reward your best customers—without requiring you to discount every transaction.

POP + Promotion = Big Results

When you do run a promotion, make sure customers know about it. This is where POP (Point-of-Purchase) marketing materials make a big difference. Well placed signage grabs attention and makes your offers impossible to miss.

POP helps you:

• Attract attention quickly, especially from walk-ins or new customers
• Inform shoppers at-a-glance (what’s the deal, how much, for how long)
• Reinforce branding by matching the messaging with the product on display

Your TBHC Delivers Account Manager can help you install, update, and rotate POP to support your promotions and boost their effectiveness.

The Power of Surprise and Scarcity

Want promotions that really stand out? Make them occasional and unexpected. Customers pay more attention when something feels exclusive or limited.

Try:

• Tuesday-only flash deals
• Exclusive in-store promotions just for your location
• Limited time topping or crust combos with fun names or themes

When promotions are rare, they feel like a treat—not a trick. This creates excitement and keeps customers checking back to see what’s new.

FAQ: Promotions

Q: How often should I run a promotion?

A: Aim for one to two promotions per month. This keeps customers interested and engaged without conditioning them to expect a deal every time.

Q: Should I discount whole pizzas or Hunks?

A: Instead of discounting either, try pairing them in bundles. Combos protect your margins while giving customers a better experience.

Q: Can I promote just one topping combo or crust type?

A: Yes! Featuring a flavor like Thin Crust Lotsa Meat® can help increase trial and introduce new favorites to your regulars.

Q: What kind of promotion is best for new stores?

 A: Sampling and POP signage are your best bets. They help drive awareness and encourage first time purchases without reducing your price.

Final Tip: Don’t Go It Alone

Promotions should feel intentional—not reactive. With the right approach, you can increase traffic and sales while preserving your margins and store reputation.

Your TBHC Delivers Account Manager is here to help you:

• Plan promotions that make sense for your store
• Avoid the trap of constant discounting
• Use POP to support your sales goals with fresh, relevant messaging

Let’s build a smart strategy that drives sales and protects your bottom line.

Talk to your TBHC Delivers Account Manager today.