If Rosetta Stone is not helping you distinguish "que" from "quien," maybe a passion for pepperoni will do the trick.
The Texas-based chain Pizza Patron, which has traditionally marketed
to Hispanics, is offering a free, large pepperoni pizza to anyone who
orders in Spanish between 5 and 8 p.m. on June 5.
As USA Today reported earlier this week, the campaign has drawn critics from all sides.
"Maybe they thought it was a cute thing to do, but I think it's
discrimination," Marcela Gomez, president of Hispanic Marketing Group, a
Latino marketing firm in Nashville, told USA Today. "As an advertising
agency, I would never recommend this to my client."
Meanwhile advocates for English as the official language of the United States also took issue with the company's approach.
"It seems to punish people who can't speak Spanish, and I resent
that," Peter Thomas, chairman of the Conservative Caucus, told USA
Today. "In public areas, people should be speaking English, and that
includes pizza parlors."
Pizza Patron regularly targets Hispanics with its promotions, and in 2007 the chain started accepting pesos, a move that also drew criticism.
Eduardo Gonzalez, an owner of Pizza Patron stores in Las Vegas, said
the company was simply trying to thank its customers for supporting the
chain and to have some fun. He said everyone was welcome to come in for
the deal, and only a basic "una pizza, por favor" is needed. In fact,
Pizza Patron is only giving away one type of pizza, a large pepperoni,
so the ordering should be uncomplicated.
"It seems to punish people who can't speak Spanish, and I resent
that," Peter Thomas, chairman of the Conservative Caucus, told USA
Today. "In public areas, people should be speaking English, and that
includes pizza parlors."
Pizza Patron regularly targets Hispanics with its promotions, and in 2007 the chain started accepting pesos, a move that also drew criticism.
Eduardo Gonzalez, an owner of Pizza Patron stores in Las Vegas, said
the company was simply trying to thank its customers for supporting the
chain and to have some fun. He said everyone was welcome to come in for
the deal, and only a basic "una pizza, por favor" is needed. In fact,
Pizza Patron is only giving away one type of pizza, a large pepperoni,
so the ordering should be uncomplicated.
Gonzalez said he expected long lines at the stores June 5, and Pizza
Patron stores will be handing out coupons for both discounted specialty
pizzas and for free large pizzas, so people who do no have the time to
wait can get their free pie at a later date. (No need to speak Spanish
to get the coupon.)
Pizza Patron is headquartered in Dallas and boasts 102 locations in seven states.
There are five Pizza Patrons in Las Vegas: 2885 E. Charleston Blvd.
Suite 102, 3510 Bonanza Road, 1979 N. Nellis Blvd, 2305 E. Sahara Ave,
721 N. Rancho Drive.
More information on the pizza promotion and the local stores can be found at pizzapatron.com.
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