Profiting on one of the biggest days of the year for independent pizzerias
On Valentine’s Day, pizzerias will see customers who already know what they want and are willing to spend more money.
We looked at Slice data from Valentine’ Day 2025, and how pizzeria owners can use it to turn demand into more orders and smoother service.
Valentine’s Day for pizzerias (at a glance)
- Online ordering dominates
- Average order values are higher compared to a typical February day
- Customers order familiar menu items
- Shops with strong online ordering and clean menus consistently outperform
Why Valentine’s Day is a huge pizza day
Ordering behavior is driven by pressure, not celebration.
Pizza customers:
- Make decisions late in the day
- Avoid crowded restaurants
- Prefer comforting, familiar, and dependable food
- Order for two, or for groups, without much time to compare options
Shops that win Valentine’s Day don’t reinvent their menu, they execute the basics perfectly.
What customers actually order on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day orders are practical, with the most popular items being:
- Cheese pizza
- Wings
- Fries
- Mozzarella sticks
- Garlic knots
- Sodas
Customers order what they know they will like (and avoid risk).
What this means for pizzerias
- Keep your core menu front and center
- Avoid focusing on novelty items that slow the kitchen down
- Focus on speed, accuracy, and consistenc
Having a reliable online pizza ordering system is important critical, especially when customers are ordering quickly.
Average order value on Valentine’s Day
Shops that make it easy for customers to order for two (or more) can see higher order values.
Based on Slice’s Valentine’s Day 2025 data:
- Average order value: ~$40
- Largest single order: $1,969
Customers aren’t price-shopping — they’re asking, What’s our special dinner tonight?
And they’re willing to spend more to make the night memorable.
Why order values climb on February 14th
Order values go up because:
- People order delivery, not pickup
- Customers order for two (or more)
- Add-ons feel justified
- Fewer comparisons means faster decisions
Customers build bigger orders when the menu and checkout flow support it.
Ready-to-use bundle ideas for Valentine’s Day
Helping the customer make their own decision increases order speed and AOV.
Here are some idea for bundles (based on order behavior and popular items):
- Dinner for Two: Large pizza + side + two drinks
- Pizza Night In: Two medium pizzas + wings or garlic knots
- No-Cooking Combo: Large pizza + fries + dessert item (if offered)
- Delivery-First Love Bundle: Any pizza + side + drink with delivery pre-selected
These bundles are packaged to increase checkout speed and drive more profit.
A clean online ordering experience makes bundles easy to order without slowing the customer down, and phone ordering tools ensure your team can upsell combos quickly.
Valentine’s Day is about making the obvious choice easier.
Online Ordering dominates Valentine’s Day
Looking at the data, online orders dominated Valentine’s Day, accounting for roughly 280 for every single phone order.
Customers want speed, minimal phone calls, and a frictionless checkout experience.
Keep an ear out for the phone phone though, especially for regulars and older customers.
A solid phone ordering solution in place ensures those orders are captured accurately, efficiently, and without distracting the staff during kitchen during rushes.
Valentine’s Day demand by city
According to the data, New York wins for most popular city for pizza orders on Valentine’s Day. However, the students at the University of Michigan help put Ann Arbor on the map, showing the power of smaller towns during these types of holidays.
Every city across the country will most likely see a spike in demand on Valentine’s Day. It’s less about foot traffic and more about delivery radius efficiency.
Understanding your delivery zones, and how customers behave, can make the difference between a smooth night and a stressful one.
Popular pizza styles and sizes
Large pizzas dominate. Cheese and other single-topping classics outperform specialty pies. And while heart-shaped pizzas make appearances, they’re the exception, not the rule.
What this means for pizzerias:
- Prep for large pies and classic builds
- Make sure popular sizes are easy to select onlin
- Avoid introducing complex items that slow the order process
Remember, reliability beats creativity.
Supporting your team and your customers
Valentine’s Day can be stressful, for both staff and customers.
Tools like Slice’s Family Membership encourage repeat ordering, increase loyalty, and give customers confidence that their favorite pizzeria (yours) will deliver when it matters.
The less customers have to think on Valentine’s Day, the better.
The big Valentine’s Day insight
Valentine’s Day is about trust.
Customers want their favorite pizza, delivered on time, without stress. Shops with a smooth, reliable experience, powered by strong online ordering, efficient phones, and a clear menu, are the ones that will profit… and win.
For a tactical, day-by-day checklist on how to prepare your shop, read our companion article: Prep for a Heart-Racing Valentine’s Day Rush.
Stay ahead of every major ordering day
Valentine’s Day is just one of many pizza-moments throughout the year.
Plan ahead, and build your shop’s strategy around the full calendar of pizza ordering occasions.
The shops that win are the ones that are prepared.