![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-423957-100x100.png\")
I'm happy to say the Papa John's by my father in Detroit (North of the city in Troy) honored the promotion for him and about 10 other Camaro's from various eras that showed at that particular location. I'll post some pictures he took as soon as I get them. In the mean time I'll give you this taste:
[i27.tinypic.com]
![\"user-pic\"](\"/css/images/default.gif\")
Yes it is. And my husband just had an orgasm. (I know TMI- but I still don't understand his facination with these cars.)
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-891047-100x100.png\")
So because a bunch of greedy Franchise owners wouldnt participate the greedy OP doesnt like Papa Johns anymore.. WOW shock horror.. What is worse is that this is even on Consumerist. What was Papa John sposed to do? force franchise stores to participate? Get real!
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-113837-100x100.png\")
@diangelo: I don't think it is as much greed as it is they would not be reimbursed because they are franchise stores.. Some places will not reimburse them if they are not a company store..
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1029606-100x100.png\")
@diangelo: I agree. I have mixed feelings about this because A: it's showing a consumer's sense of entitlement (undeserved) and then the sour-grapes attitude when they didn't get TWO free items, when they should have been happy with one. Or any at all.
But, B: Franchised chains shouldn't advertise a promotion that they're not willing to FORCE all franchisees to honor. I'd consider it false advertising.
But really, the dude got a free pie, and he's STILL bitching? What a turd.
It's not false advertising, because they always specify that it's valid at participating locations. Easiest way to find out if a location is participating is to pick up the phone.
I'd rather have promotions be available at participating locations only than not be available at all.
@Cant_stop_the_rock: True dat. My real beef with the whole thing is that part of being a chain with franchisees is the homogeneity of it. A PJ's in one place should be like a PJ's in another place (part of my draw to the oft-loathed Starbucks), but when the chain ISN'T fulfilling that homogeneity, it's like, \"Why bother being a chain, then?\" I know that's kind of unreasonable and immature of me to want that, but at least admission of a problem is the first step to recovery, right?
@RogerTheAlien: Thank you!
You're either a franchise or you're not. If you want independence, open an independent shop.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-349596-100x100.png\")
\"I never really liked Papa John's. This is all the more reason to avoid them.\"
Then why did you even bother to go? You took coworkers out to lunch on the chain's dime and didn't have a complaint when you received the free pizza. Only now, when you tried to rip off another establishment were you mad and all of a sudden- Papa John's is shit pizza and a horrible place to eat.
You are entitled to your opinion, but I am completely lost and somewhat disappointed at your reasoning behind this e-mail. If I were Papa John's, I wouldn't give a rat's ass about this. You took a nice gesture from a chain establishment and somehow, even though you actually received what was promised, managed to complain still because you wanted MORE.
As for the establishments not honoring the promotion- well, it's not the first or last time folks. Call ahead- and write corporate if you feel you've been wronged. In this case, I don't believe the OP has.
@Verucalise(wantsherfigureback):
You bet the OP didn't write corporate about this. Why would he, he knows himself he is wrong about this whole thing and the way he conducted himself. Imagine writing to Papa John's, 'I got a free pizza at one chain, but when I went back and tried to rip off another Papa John's for another free pizza, they weren't \"honoring\" the promotion.'
Exactly, I'd laugh him off too. Hence, when people like the OP know they don't have anything of substance to back up their alleged perceptions of being wrong by the 'eeeevil' corporate types, the first thing they do is come to Consumerist to try and drum up some 'support.' It's obvious Consumerist staff knows these types of people and what they are all about, hence they post these.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-413348-100x100.png\")
@Verucalise(wantsherfigureback): The fact that people try to abuse promotions like this is probably the reason you get franchises not participating as they know they are just getting screwed in the end. The more people that abuse things like this, the fewer and fewer franchises will take part when offers come along.
Wow, he got one free pizza. He is upset because he didn't get two. Furthermore because he didn't get the second pizza for free he says he never liked Papa John's. Then I guess they don't miss him as a non-consumer.
@ZManGT:
What a spoiled rotten.....(you can fill in the rest) He should've been happy with just the one pizza. In this day and age with how bad the economy is that one pizza would've fed my family.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-68654-100x100.png\")
why wouldn't you honor a promo like this? how many \"camaro enthusiasts\" are actually out there - certainly less than vette & mustang enthusiasts. & of that number, how many are actually going to take advantage? & of that number, how many that are going to take advantage will actually end up at one franchise?
you're talking about giving away a couple dozen pies at most here. geez. don't be such a tightwad. besides, it costs about $1.50 to make a pizza pie. suck it up.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-529488-100x100.png\")
@mac-phisto: Because its people like Mr. OP that CAUSE franchisers not to honor promos like this. Because they'll go from spot to spot and get free stuff because they feel they're entitled. Fact is, this consumer got his free pie, and only felt wronged when he couldn't play the system and get another.
Bad form!
@Oranges w/ Cheese in rainy Central FL: nope. not buying it. too much supposition - a manager would have to assume that some significant amount of free pizza pies going out the door were for recidivists.
regardless, that's really irrelevant. if you do a simple cost-benefit analysis, you'd be pretty hard-pressed to justify NOT participating in this promo. $1.50 buys you the potential to add-on additional sales (more pizzas, breadsticks, wings, drinks, etc.) & gain repeat business. compare this to the cost of NOT honoring it: not only the opposite of the above, but the potential for bad media, negative word-of mouth from denied customers, & most importantly - you'll reduce the effectiveness of future campaigns. retention is the most difficult aspect of service - why take a chance that you'll alienate your best customers - your monthly bread & butter - on the off-chance that some yahoo is going to game a few free pizzas?
@mac-phisto: Why not honor it? Very simply put, the franchisees are worried that they won't get reimbursed by the chain. That's all. After all, you are asking a small-time franschise operator with one, maybe a few stores to supply the ingredients, prepare them, cook them, serve them and supply the labor, box, butter sauce, etc. They also have to pay corporate for each one they make. These costs add up.
It's easy for corporate to say \"free pizza!\" but it ends up on the little guys to honor that and hope corp. decides to reimburse them for it, which they may or may not do in a timely manner.
Papa John's is far from the only one with this issue. Quizno's franchisees have sued their corporate chain because corp. was forcing them to honor promotions that resulted in franchisees selling food for less than it cost them to make, and without any reimbursement.
Suppose you run a franchise selling hamburgers. It costs you a $1 to buy the burgers and cook them, so you sell it for $1.10 and make a little money. One day Big Burger Corp. announces it's two for a dollar on hambugers. National TV ad campaign, TV talk show tie-in, big posters to put in the store windows. But not a penny back to the franchise to help cover the food costs. Not only do you now lose the dime you were making, every two-fer you sell still costs you $2 in ingredients and labor. You can honor the promo and go broke, or be the bad guy and refuse and try to stay in business. Either way you are screwed.
This is the sort of BS that is pulled by basically all the franchise chains and it's why so many of the franchisees are bitter and angry and why many of them are suing the parent chains.
papa john's runs a promotion that is valid at participating locations only
news at 10
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-348183-100x100.png\")
Bitchin' Camaros?
There should be a spot on fast food websites that allows the customer to look up which locations honor which promotions.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1201340-100x100.png\")
This is the same thing that happens when McDonald's runs a national promo and some stores don't participate for various reasons.
The reasons are as varied as greedy operators, lack of capacity, undue interference with daily operation, etc.
Typically, the advertisement will say somewhere in it that participation varies. If Papa John's didn't put that in there, shame on them.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-256210-100x100.png\")
Mr. Merekat works at Papa John's in our ghetto. I mentioned this promo before he left for work last night, and he hadn't heard anything about it. I'll ask him if they honored it when I get home today, but it would not surprise me at all if they did not.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-120033-100x100.png\")
So wait, let me get this straight: OP got one free pizza, but couldn't get another?
Why is this on Consumerist? Christ.
And yet again, when I needed help from Consumerist my email to tips@consumerist.com gets frickin' ignored. What the loving hell has Consumerist turned into these days?
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-257467-100x100.png\")
@mac-phisto: To be fair, all he had to do (much like he did with the other two Papa John's) is call ahead. It's still a good cautionary tale, but I think Consumerist would be better off printing the tip from the guy who *didn't* get the free tip
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-757497-100x100.png\")
*Offer valid at participating restaurants.
This is nothing new. So I'll say it - WHY IS THIS ON CONSUMERIST?
Also, the Camaro driving, probably mustached OP is a greedy and whiny pig.
Sorry, bud, I've got no sympathy either. You got the pizza they promised -- you only failed when you tried to rip them off for another one. Take your whining somewhere else.
why is this on consumerist?
ok, i'll take the flamebait. here's why: how the f- do you know a restaurant is participating or not? you don't. hell, the employees don't even know. sometimes the managers don't even know.
despite this, a franchise store benefits from a nationwide promotion designed to increase traffic into their business & they don't even need to participate!
this is akin to false advertising. & it's bad business. part of the cost of doing business is marketing & promotion. if the franchise owner near you doesn't understand this, she has no business operating a business. recognize that she doesn't value her customer base & take your business elsewhere.
@Oranges w/ Cheese in rainy Central FL: & what if you call them & they say, \"yes, we participate.\" then you get in your car & drive 30 minutes to the only franchise in your area only to be met by a sign \"NO, WE DON'T HONOR FREE PROMO!\"
what do you do now, slick?
I applaud the Consumerist staff for pointing out that the OP DID get a free pizza, it was the second free pizza he was trying to get (and wasn't entitled to anyway) that he was refused. The fact that he actually wrote and complained is stunning.
THAT SAID, one would think that any company that relies on franchisees would:
1. NEVER launch a promotion without being certain all locations were participating.
2. Put language in their franchise contracts that DEMANDS participation.
The damage done to a brand when they announce promotions most won't honor is horrid.
@RogerTheAlien: That's why franchisees should get lawyers. You know that you will have to absorb costs - but you know that you have a brand you can build under. If you want the brand, you pay what it takes. Otherwise start your own company
@PLATTWORX: I disagree with point 2. Often times in a franchisee arrangement, the corporate office becomes the franchise location owner's toughest competition.
@brain_grenade: +1. Often, all the ingredients, signage, storefront decoration, etc has to be purchased directly from Corporate. As such, the bottom line of a lot of franchisees is undercut by the requirements from Corporate. Plus, not every location of a franchise is as profitable as the next, so promotions like this while a total bonus for the consumer, can literally mean death for a particular franchise.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-483337-100x100.png\")
1. No matter how much all these franchises promo it up, all their pizza is still crap.
2. Let's not be greedy and try to get pizza at every papa johns in the county next time.
3. Let's not waste your time writing about it, just so that you can be made fun of on the internets.
4. Camaros just say midlife crisis. Or yeah, as someone else mentioned, mustachios. But not the good, thin, classy, sword fighting mustache.
@tbax929: well I was mainly referring to older camaros, but in my opinion the new ones are ugly as hell and built like crap. But everyone likes what they like. Give me a 64 thunderbird and i'll be happy.
What a whiny bitch.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-804913-100x100.png\")
KFC is evil for not honoring their promotion properly!! Same with Quiznos!!
But Papa Johns? They were well within their rights. Yep yep.
I mean, I don't agree either way, but the sudden 180 that many 'commenters' have taken is interesting and strange.
@Wombatish: It's not that they were any more justified (although in some locales it wasn't that they weren't participating so much as they stopped, which is somewhat different) but that this guy got his free pizza and is still complaining.
@coren: Yes, but had he not gotten the first pizza, the second restaurant still denied him.
And most of the comments are both condeming him and directly defending the Papa Johns franchise by mentioning the \"participating locations only\" clause repeatedly, which would have applied to Quiznos and KFC as well.
And if the issue was the Quiznos company not reimbursing their franchisees, well, I'm sure that's why the Papa Johns wasn't participating.. they didn't want to lose money.
Once again. I don't agree either way. I think if you're going to do something like this, you should make sure everyone is onboard, but reimburse them fully and properly. Sadly, those two seem to be exclusive.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-159929-100x100.png\")
I think most of the annoyance is that the submitter went to multiple resturants, and is annoyed that one of them didn't give him the free pizza. If he hadn't already gotten a free pizza, it would probably be more understandable for him to be upset.
Personally, I think people get a little too worked up over not getting free food, but if you are that mad, don't go there. But it's funny when people complain that they hate a fast-food restaurant, and then are pissed because that restaurant won't give them free shit.
I don't care too much about the promotion - but, I am interested in buying that Camaro shown in the picture!
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-669366-100x100.png\")
I did it yesterday. Walked in, the folks inside already saw my car, and immediately asked, \"What do you want on it?\"
Though, interestingly enough, I was the first person to come in and order something beyond my free pie.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-345620-100x100.png\")
I've seen a lot of Dead Milkmen quotes in response to this Papa John's promotion.
I hope those guys have a good sense of humor and don't take us to court.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-135039-100x100.png\")
I wish I had heard about this when it was happening, since I actually drive a camaro!
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-469349-100x100.png\")
I can understand people being frustrated if they have to drive far to redeem a special offer. This is especially the case if the Camaro is a 3rd generation (1982-1992). Going an extra 10 miles is a big deal for most of those...
Disclaimer: I've owned three (3) x 3rd generation Firebirds (nearly identical to the Camaro) and thus feel very much entitled to poke fun at them. ;-)
The pic of the Camaro is not a '71 model, it looks like a '68 RS/SS, which is far more desirable than a '71.
Eh. I see the point of the article - word of warning to all those who'd like in on these sorts of promotions. Call ahead, find out who's in and not. (We oughta know by now, though. Really). But I don't think Paul here was the best choice to illustrate the point - as you admit he was already gaming the system by going for two pizzas. Not to mention, apparently, he was only getting it because it was free. I mean he's entitled to do so, but ideally one should actually like the product instead of getting it for the sake of getting it.
@jaybeas: Everyone in this thread does realize we may be the only people still able to read and write that remember this stuff right?
Plus, I wonder if when the OP drives past the kids they all spit and cuss?
Paul is a jerk. Got his free pizza and then complains that he couldn't get more. What a dick.
I got my free pizza in Norco, CA and paid for a specialty pizza to go with it. This was my first visit to papajohns. I will be back.
Promotion worked.
I would rewrite this headline as \"Camaro owner tries to scam Papa Johns out of second pie, fails\".
The OPs actions are the primary reason why independents refuse to participate in such promotions.
Let me disabuse anyone of the notion that a promotion offered by a business is anything but a way to make more money. This is why it's called a PROMOTION. To PROMOTE one's business.
The free pizza offer wasn't given out of the goodness of Papa John's corporate heart. It was given in the hopes that (a) new customers will try the pizza and hopefully like it, and (b) generate goodwill among existing customers to keep coming back.
To the readers who feel that consumers have this feeling of entitlement when they want to take advantage of a promotion: you really have no clue how promotions work in the business world, do you? The promotion works in both directions. The customer is supposed to abide by the terms of the promotion (e.g. one free pizza per customer). The business, which by the way is getting the benefit of the promotion in terms of increased sales, is also supposed to abide by the terms of the promotion.
What *I* find disgusting are the franchise owners who KNOWINGLY bought into a franchise because of the name and all the perks that go along with the name, are willing to benefit from the promotions (if you get a free pizza from a Papa John's in suburban Chicago, you may be inclined to buy from a downtown location), but are unwilling to \"do their part\" in giving out the free pizzas. It is like the animals who do not want to help the little red hen gather the wheat and bake the bread, but are perfectly happy to eat the bread once someone else has done all the work in cooking it.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-552536-100x100.png\")
The fast food chains along Bristol are surprisingly supportive of these free promos. I got my free grilled chicken from the KFC along Bristol.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-330088-100x100.png\")
2 things -
1) It sucks, but when you hear \"at participating locations\" and your local joint doesn't participate you're S.O.L.
2) Anyone who actually eats, let alone enjoys, Papa John's bile...I mean pizza...deserves tragedy in their lives :P Or at least while on their toilets. I'd pick Dominos over Papa's
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-576464-100x100.png\")
Having eaten Papa John's, Domino's and Pizza Hut many times years ago, I wouldn't eat their slop again even if it were free. There are at least three local joints in town that make delicious pizza and calzones. I'll do without the major chains.
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-883061-100x100.png\")
1) The comments on this story allow for multiple bingo wins on the \"why is this on the consumerist?\" spaces ALONE. Awesome.
2) I read the story and knew that all reasonable discussion on the topic of when and how and why franchises can or should participate in chain freebie giveaways would be thrown entirely out the window because the OP tried to get a second pizza.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-7550-100x100.png\")
Dear Papa John's,
I do not own a Camaro, but I'm not a jerk like this guy, who feels entitled to as much free delicious pizza as his car can earn him. In exchange for not being a jerk and being a regular paying patron for over a decade, I was wondering if I can just get a free slice? And some extra garlic dip?
If not, I understand. Out of all the pizza franchises out there, Papa John's is by far the least greasy.
If I could traditionally go with a local chain, I will, but Papa John's is always my #1 chain choice.
I quit eating at Papa Johns when they had a special pizza that I loved, only I wanted regular sauce. The first time I got what I orderd, second time no go, called corp, got district manager to call me back, got what I wanted. Fourth time, Guy on phone said\" I could not order it that way as there was no key on the register that would let him do that.\" I told him\" there was no extra charge for it, thats what they made a pen for so it could be written in\" He hung up, thats been two years ago. I wouldn't go there if it was free. If I can't get the pizza I want, then I will go where I can get the pizza I want.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-1504-100x100.png\")
Note to chains with franchises: next time you run one of these promotions, simply reimburse the outlet for the cost of the ingredients. It eliminates the owners who don't want to play and don't see the value of participating and it keeps the HQ from looking like greedy bastards for making a profit on the ingredients. You'll avoid all the sniping at Consumerist and the deal hunting sites and you'll get people excited and happy about your brand.
This deal was so specialized that the free national pub they got is far more than the cost of the pizza. Make it positive by using an incentive system that makes your franchises want to be part of it.
Sucks for Paul... I got two pizzas at two different locations without a problem.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-326180-100x100.png\")
So he got one free pizza and then tried to milk to promotion by driving around to other Papa Johns and getting more? People like this customer are the reason that store owners don't honor promotions like this.
He *SHOULD* be grateful that he got free pizza for him and his buddies. Instead he can only complain. FAIL.
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-488475-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-212547-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-86968-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-550329-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-851357-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-18124-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"http://consumerist.com/assets_c/userpics/userpic-443428-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-665956-100x100.png\")
![\"user-pic\"](\"/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-917643-100x100.png\")
![[i27.tinypic.com]](\"http://i27.tinypic.com/29mtz5j.jpg\"){kind=link}
He got a pizza. He can shut his pie hole.
@zibby: Badda-Bing! Nicely put.
@zibby: How many pizzas a day does a fat a** camaro driver need to eat anyway. Obama, tax him!!! No wait...if it's free I guess there wouldn't be any tax.
@zibby: No doubt, the guy is an ass.. Driving around just to mooch free pizza..
He had no problem loving Papa John's when he got the free pizza, then he tried to get more at other stores and was denied because they are franchised.. Hopefully hail destroys his car..
@zibby:
Love all these responses. I hope Paul reads this, and I hope other Consumerist readers also read this, and GROW UP! I'm tired of every consumer out there thinking they were slighted, their food was altered/contaminated, they were denied this and they were denied that, and then come crying to Consumerist thinking they are the latest media anti corporate hero.
Enough is enough already. It's already been warned here SO many times about these things, that not ALL franchises abide by or has to abide by these free promos. I have enough issues as it is with the coupons for free items at my local Jack in the Box, so I don't even bother with them.
The proper mindset in approaching these promos is to think that your local chain will deny the promo, and that you were going to go there and buy something anyways. Then when your promo is honored, good for you.
@zibby: Yeah, \"I never really liked Papa John's\" but wanted to eat two of them in one day because they were free.
Waaaaaaah!
@zibby: *rimshot* Nice zinger.
@zibby: Agreed!!!
But, \"pizza pie hole\" would have been more fun.