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Restaurants celebrating Leap Year with offers for 'Leap Day' babies

Restaurants are celebrating Leap Year this year with offers for "Leap Day" babies, those born on Feb. 29.

February 29, 2016 by Travis Wagoner — Editor, Networld Media Group

Restaurants are celebrating Leap Year this year with offers for "Leap Day" babies — individuals born on Feb. 29. Check out a few of the offers.

​Arby's to have one-day vegeterian menu

Arby's will extend an olive branch to vegetarians  Feb. 29  when it offers its first ever vegetarian menu, highlighted by Arby's signature sandwich lineup, minus the delicious meats that make them sandwiches, according to a company press release. Arby's regular menu is available as usual, including the permanent return of the Loaded Italian Sandwich with thinly-sliced ham, salami and pepperoni.

"At Arby's, we're proud of our meats, but we also understand that meat isn't for everyone," said Rob Lynch, chief marketing officer and brand president of Arby's Restaurant Group Inc. "So we've decided to give vegetarians a reason to visit Arby's on Leap Day by offering a one-day menu designed specifically for them. If it goes well, we'll likely bring back the vegetarian menu on Feb. 29 each year."

Hungry Howie's celebrates Leap Year with 29-cent pizza

Hungry Howie's Pizza on Feb. 29 and March 1 will offer customers a large, one-topping pizza for 29 cents in honor of Leap Day when they purchase a large pizza at menu price. This promotion is available at all participating locations, excluding those in Alabama or Florida, according to a company press release.

"As Leap Year is a rare and special occurrence, we decided it would be best enjoyed with some of our delectable pizza," said Rob Elliott, executive vice president of marketing at Hungry Howie's Pizza. "We are always looking for creative ways to give back to customers, and truly hope they enjoy every bite of their $0.29 pizza!"

Leap Day babies eat free at Villa Italian Kitchen

In honor of this Leap Day 2016 anyone with the rare birthday of Feb. 29 will receive a complimentary slice of pizza at participating Villa Italian Kitchen locations. To redeem the offer, Leap Day babies must present a valid identification at any participating Villa Italian Kitchen on Feb. 29, according to a company press release.  

"Leap Day is a rare occasion, especially for people with a February 29 birthday, and we wanted to celebrate by showing our appreciation for our customers most affected by the Leap Year cycle," said Mimi Wunderlich, brand manager of Villa Italian Kitchen. "Happy Birthday to all those Leap Day babies — we thought you deserved something special!"

Schlotzky's offering free sandwich to Leap Day Babies

Schlotzsky’s is celebrating Leap Day today with a set of offerings available at participating locations. Offers vary by location and will include one of the following: a free sandwich with purchase of chips and a 32-ounce drink, Buy One Get One Free entrée or $1 off any sandwich on the menu. All customers at a participating location can take advantage of this offer.

'Leap the Line' at Noodles & Company

Noodles & Company is giving guests the opportunity to "Leap the Line" on Monday when placing an online order. Guests who order online at order.noodles.com will save $4 off any $10 purchase by entering the code LEAPTHELINE at checkout, according to a company press release.

"Since Leap Day only happens once every four years, we wanted to offer our guests special savings — plus an opportunity to 'leap the line' as our way of saying thank you for being loyal guests at Noodles & Company," said Mark Mears, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Noodles & Company. "Our online ordering system was the perfect choice for executing this promotion as it not only provides an added convenience for our guests by allowing account users to save their favorite order, customized exactly as they like it, it also allows them to pay online so they can simply stop in to pick it up — quick and easy."

Pizza Hut to celebrate with Pizza Party in Leap Year Capital of the World

No matter their age, on Feb. 29, anyone who visits a Pizza Hut restaurant and shows a government-issued photo ID to prove they were born on Leap Day (Feb. 29) will receive a free, one-topping Personal Pan Pizza for carryout (participation and store hours vary), according to a company press release.

Pizza Hut will also host a Pizza Party in Anthony, Texas, known as the "Leap Year Capital of the World." Since 1988, the town has hosted a birthday festival each Leap Year for people born on Feb. 29, welcoming individuals from all around the world to its Leap Year celebration. This year, Pizza Hut will add to the town's annual birthday party parade with the choice of a free cheese or pepperoni Personal Pan Pizza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for people in attendance at the annual parade in Anthony.

"Pizza Hut has been the site of many, many birthday parties through the years, and since Leaplings only get to celebrate their true birthdays every four years, we wanted to make their day special and help them honor their birthdays in a big way," said Doug Terfehr, senior director of public relations, Pizza Hut. "To mark the day in an even bigger way, we felt it was only fitting that we bring a pizza party to the Leap Year Capital of the World. We're excited to spend our extra day in 2016 celebrating the best way we know how: with great-tasting, flavorful Pizza Hut pizza."

"As the Leap Year Capital of the World, Leap Day holds a special place in the heart of Anthony," said Martin Lerma, mayor of Anthony, Texas. "With Pizza Hut's help, we'll be able to make this year's celebration even bigger and better than the last."

Tropical Smoothie Café offers 'One in Four Year' deal

Members of the Tropical Smoothie Café  loyalty club, Club Tropical, will be invited to enjoy any 24-ounce Classic Smoothie for $2.29, a price that's almost 50 percent off, according to a company press release. 

"We'll take any opportunity to show our members how grateful we are for their support," said Jennie Hong, senior director of Brand Marketing and Strategy for Tropical Smoothie Café. "We thought this was the perfect day to have a little fun and thank our guests for making Tropical Smoothie Café part of their Eat Better. Feel Better. lifestyle."

About Travis Wagoner

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Travis Wagoner spent nearly 18 years in education as an alumni relations and communications director, coordinating numerous annual events and writing, editing and producing a quarterly, 72-plus-page magazine. Travis also was a ghostwriter for an insurance firm, writing about the Affordable Care Act. He holds a BA degree in communications/public relations from Xavier University.