Casey’s Joins Forces With K9s For Warriors to Support Veterans and Rescue Dogs
Casey’s, one of the largest convenience store and pizza chains in the U.S., has launched a meaningful partnership with K9s For Warriors, the country’s leading provider of service dogs to military veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injuries, and other invisible wounds of war. As part of this collaboration, Casey’s has fully funded the training of a future service dog, fittingly named “Casey,” who will graduate and be matched with a veteran in San Antonio this October. The initiative reflects Casey’s ongoing dedication to giving back to those who serve, particularly military personnel and their families.
Casey’s Director of PR, Communications, and Community, Katie Petru, said, “At Casey’s, we proudly support those who serve our communities – including our military veterans. The healing relationships that K9s For Warriors create through their work are life-changing for veterans and service dogs, and we’re honored to help further this mission.”
K9s For Warriors has matched over 1,100 veterans with trained service dogs, many of which are rescued from shelters. The organization operates one of the largest rescue-to-service dog programs in the country, with a mission to prevent veteran suicide and give both dogs and veterans a new lease on life. Meanwhile, operating nearly 2,900 stores across 19 states, Casey’s and its 50,000 team members continue to invest in the well-being of the communities they serve. In fiscal year 2025 alone, Casey’s contributed $6.6 million toward community needs, including support for more than 2,000 military families through various veteran service organizations and partnerships.
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BJ’s Restaurants Rebuilds Its Pizza Legacy to Enhance the Customer Experience
BJ’s Restaurants, founded in 1978 in Santa Ana, California, originally made its name with deep-dish pizza before evolving into a craft beer-forward casual dining chain in the mid-1990s. The company’s identity shifted when it acquired 26 Pietro’s Pizza locations in 1996 and simultaneously launched its first brewery concept, positioning craft beer as a defining feature of the brand. Now, under the leadership of newly appointed CEO Lyle Tick, BJ’s is returning to its culinary roots by revitalizing its original pizza concept and striving to bring pizza and beer back into a shared spotlight.
Recent feedback revealed declining guest satisfaction with the pizza, particularly with the crust, which had become inconsistent and overly doughy. In response, BJ’s undertook a comprehensive overhaul of its pizza platform. The culinary team drew inspiration from the crispy-yet-airy texture of Detroit-style crusts, while maintaining BJ’s signature round shape. The pizza’s makeover includes a shift to a fresh-packed tomato sauce with extra virgin olive oil, the use of 100% mozzarella cheese, cup-and-char pepperoni, and hand-crumbled, slow-roasted sausage. Tick emphasized the meticulous process of handling the dough as a live product, requiring more culinary attention and skill—something he believes re-centers the team around quality and craftsmanship.
With the upgraded pizza rolling out nationwide in November, early test results show promising improvements in guest satisfaction and operational performance. Tick remains confident that this back-to-basics approach will reinvigorate the brand, stating that strengthening the core—pizza—is essential for BJ’s future growth and relevance. “I’m a big believer (that) when you look at a brand and you’re ultimately looking to re-energize and reinforce a brand, you go back to the DNA,” Tick said. “You go back to the core. You need to make sure the core is strong because that’s what gives you the right to do anything else. So, we needed to make sure our pizza was awesome.”
P.F. Chang’s Offers Smaller Portions, Expands Appeal With New Menu Strategy
P.F. Chang’s is rethinking its approach to portion sizes, offering customers more flexibility with their meals. The Asian casual-dining chain has launched a revamped menu that features two entree sizes, medium and traditional, at different price points. For example, diners in Chicago can now choose between a $17.99 medium portion or the regular $19.59 version of Chang’s Spicy Chicken. In addition to smaller entrees, the chain is offering half-size appetizers, such as its popular lettuce wraps, giving guests more control over both cost and quantity. These changes reflect broader industry trends, as restaurants adapt to diners seeking smaller, more affordable meals, particularly those on tighter budgets or using appetite-suppressing weight loss medications.
Beyond entrees, P.F. Chang’s is introducing new value-driven offerings across its menu. A new cocktail collection features drinks like the Blood Orange Margarita and Peartini for just $8.99, aiming to provide quality beverages at lower prices amid a rising-cost cocktail market. The chain is also responding to customer feedback by reviving old favorites, such as garlic noodles, which return to the menu after gaining attention through social media.
The menu refresh is part of a broader transformation for P.F. Chang’s, which is embracing pop culture and social media to reconnect with consumers. Recent initiatives include a movie-themed menu in collaboration with Disney’s “Freakier Friday” and a promotional campaign featuring comedian Atsuko Okatsuka. Chief Marketing Officer Sonika Patel emphasized the brand’s commitment to meeting customer needs by spotlighting fan-favorite items and flexible dining options. With sales having declined 3% last year, and a leadership shake-up that saw COO Brad Hill promoted to CEO in April, these strategic updates signal P.F. Chang’s intent to modernize its image and reengage diners in a competitive casual-dining landscape.
View this engaging Instagram reel announcing the return of Garlic Noodles.
Original Article Links:
Casey’s Partners with K9s For Warriors to Advance its Mission of Pairing Service Dogs with Military Veterans
Why BJ’s Restaurants is renovating its pizza platform
P.F. Chang's plays with portion sizes on new menu