Salvatore Expands Pizza Delivery Operations Across Canada

October 15, 2024

Salvatore, Canada's beloved authentic Italian pizzeria, is thrilled to announce a major expansion of its delivery operations to three new cities: Calgary, Ottawa, and Halifax. This strategic growth initiative, completed in October 2024, marks a significant milestone in bringing genuine Italian-style pizza to more Canadian households across the country.

The expansion represents Salvatore's commitment to making authentic, high-quality pizza accessible to pizza lovers throughout Canada. With state-of-the-art kitchen facilities and a fleet of environmentally conscious delivery vehicles, Salvatore is setting new standards in the pizza delivery industry while maintaining the traditional Italian recipes and cooking methods that have made the brand a household name.

New State-of-the-Art Kitchen Facilities

Each of the three new locations features purpose-built kitchen facilities designed to maintain Salvatore's exacting standards for pizza preparation and quality control. The Calgary facility, spanning 8,500 square feet in the city's northeast industrial district, incorporates traditional Italian wood-fired ovens alongside modern cooking technology. This hybrid approach ensures that every pizza maintains the authentic taste and texture that Salvatore customers have come to expect, while meeting the demands of high-volume delivery operations.

The Ottawa location, strategically positioned in the Kanata business park, features advanced temperature-controlled preparation areas and dedicated stations for dough making, sauce preparation, and topping assembly. This 7,200 square foot facility employs cutting-edge ventilation systems and energy-efficient equipment, reducing the environmental footprint while maintaining optimal working conditions for the culinary team.

Halifax's waterfront facility, the smallest of the three at 6,800 square feet, has been specially designed to handle the unique challenges of Maritime weather conditions. Enhanced insulation, backup power systems, and specialized storage areas ensure consistent pizza quality regardless of Atlantic Canada's sometimes unpredictable climate. The facility also includes a customer pickup area, allowing local residents to collect their orders directly while enjoying views of the harbor.

All three kitchens have been certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and meet or exceed provincial health and safety standards. Salvatore has invested over $4.2 million in these facilities, demonstrating the company's long-term commitment to these markets and to delivering exceptional pizza experiences to Canadian families.

Eco-Friendly Delivery Fleet

In a groundbreaking move for the pizza delivery industry, Salvatore has invested in a fleet of 45 eco-friendly delivery vehicles across the three new markets. The fleet consists primarily of electric and hybrid vehicles, significantly reducing carbon emissions while ensuring pizzas arrive hot and fresh at customers' doors. This environmental initiative aligns with Salvatore's broader corporate sustainability goals and responds to growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible business practices.

The Calgary fleet includes 18 vehicles, with 12 fully electric models and 6 plug-in hybrids. These vehicles feature custom-designed insulated cargo areas that maintain optimal temperature for pizza transport while drawing minimal power from the vehicle's battery system. The electric vehicles have a range of approximately 250 kilometers on a single charge, more than sufficient for a full day of deliveries within the Calgary metropolitan area.

Ottawa's 15-vehicle fleet takes advantage of the city's extensive charging infrastructure, with all vehicles being fully electric. Salvatore has also installed fast-charging stations at the Kanata facility, allowing drivers to quickly recharge between delivery runs. The company estimates that this electric fleet will prevent approximately 85 tons of CO2 emissions annually compared to traditional gasoline-powered delivery vehicles.

Halifax's 12-vehicle fleet includes a mix of electric and hybrid vehicles, chosen to handle the region's varied terrain and weather conditions. The hybrid vehicles provide additional range security during winter months when battery performance can be affected by cold temperatures. All vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking and route optimization software, ensuring efficient deliveries and reduced environmental impact.

Each delivery vehicle features Salvatore's distinctive burgundy and cream branding, making them instantly recognizable on city streets. The vehicles are also equipped with advanced safety features, including backup cameras, collision warning systems, and driver monitoring technology, ensuring the safety of both delivery personnel and other road users.

Authentic Italian-Style Pizza for More Canadians

At the heart of this expansion is Salvatore's unwavering commitment to authentic Italian pizza-making traditions. The company's recipes, developed over decades and refined through generations of Italian culinary expertise, remain unchanged despite the operational scaling. Each pizza begins with hand-stretched dough made from imported Italian flour, topped with San Marzano tomatoes, premium mozzarella, and the finest ingredients sourced from trusted suppliers.

The expansion brings Salvatore's full menu to residents of Calgary, Ottawa, and Halifax, including classic favorites like Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, and Diavola, as well as Canadian-inspired specialty pizzas that have become customer favorites in other markets. The menu also features appetizers, salads, and desserts, all prepared using traditional Italian recipes and techniques.

To ensure consistency across all locations, Salvatore has implemented rigorous training programs for kitchen staff in the new facilities. Master pizza makers from the company's original locations have spent months training new team members in the art of dough preparation, sauce making, and proper baking techniques. This investment in human capital ensures that a Salvatore pizza in Halifax tastes identical to one in Toronto or Vancouver.

The company has also adapted its menu to include regional preferences while maintaining Italian authenticity. Calgary customers can enjoy pizzas featuring Alberta beef, Ottawa locations offer options with local cheeses, and Halifax facilities incorporate fresh Atlantic seafood into specialty pizzas. These regional variations respect local tastes while staying true to Italian pizza-making principles.

Creating Jobs and Supporting Communities

The expansion has created approximately 180 new jobs across the three cities, including positions for pizza makers, delivery drivers, kitchen staff, and management personnel. Salvatore has prioritized local hiring, conducting extensive recruitment campaigns in each market and offering competitive wages, benefits packages, and opportunities for advancement within the company.

In Calgary, the company has partnered with local culinary schools to create apprenticeship programs, providing students with hands-on experience in professional pizza making and Italian cuisine. Similar partnerships are being developed in Ottawa and Halifax, contributing to the development of culinary talent in these communities.

Beyond job creation, Salvatore has committed to supporting local communities through various initiatives. The company has established partnerships with food banks in each city, donating surplus ingredients and prepared meals to help address food insecurity. Additionally, Salvatore plans to sponsor local youth sports teams and community events, building strong connections with the neighborhoods it serves.

The company's commitment to sustainability extends to its supply chain, with efforts to source ingredients locally whenever possible. This approach not only reduces transportation emissions but also supports local farmers and food producers, contributing to the economic vitality of each region.

Technology and Customer Experience

The expansion incorporates Salvatore's latest technological innovations designed to enhance the customer experience. The company's mobile app and website have been updated to serve the new markets, offering features such as real-time order tracking, customizable pizza options, and saved favorite orders for quick reordering.

Customers in Calgary, Ottawa, and Halifax can now track their delivery in real-time, seeing exactly where their pizza is from the moment it leaves the oven until it arrives at their door. The system provides estimated delivery times with remarkable accuracy, taking into account current traffic conditions, weather, and driver location.

The ordering platform also includes detailed nutritional information, allergen warnings, and ingredient sourcing details, responding to growing consumer interest in food transparency. Customers can customize their pizzas with confidence, knowing exactly what goes into their meal and where those ingredients come from.

Salvatore has also implemented a loyalty program that rewards frequent customers with points redeemable for free pizzas, appetizers, and other menu items. The program is integrated across all Salvatore locations nationwide, allowing customers to earn and redeem rewards regardless of which city they're ordering from.

Looking Ahead: Future Growth Plans

While celebrating the successful completion of this expansion phase, Salvatore is already looking toward future growth opportunities. Company executives have indicated that additional Canadian markets are under consideration for expansion in 2025 and beyond, though specific cities have not yet been announced.

The company is also exploring opportunities to expand its eco-friendly delivery fleet to existing markets, with plans to transition all delivery vehicles to electric or hybrid models by 2027. This ambitious goal reflects Salvatore's commitment to environmental sustainability and positions the company as a leader in green business practices within the food service industry.

Innovation remains a priority, with ongoing research into new cooking technologies, packaging solutions, and delivery methods that could further improve the customer experience while reducing environmental impact. Salvatore's research and development team is currently testing biodegradable pizza boxes and exploring drone delivery options for future implementation.

The company has also expressed interest in expanding its menu offerings, potentially introducing new Italian dishes beyond pizza, such as pasta, risotto, and traditional Italian desserts. These additions would be carefully developed to maintain the same quality standards and authentic Italian character that define the Salvatore brand.

The successful completion of this expansion represents a significant achievement for Salvatore and demonstrates the strong demand for authentic Italian pizza across Canada. By combining traditional recipes and cooking methods with modern technology and sustainable practices, Salvatore is setting new standards for the pizza delivery industry while staying true to its Italian heritage.

As residents of Calgary, Ottawa, and Halifax place their first Salvatore orders, they're not just getting pizza delivered to their homes—they're experiencing a piece of Italian culinary tradition, prepared with care and delivered with a commitment to quality and sustainability that sets Salvatore apart in the competitive pizza market.

Welcome to the Salvatore family, Calgary, Ottawa, and Halifax. Buon appetito!