#USA #Phoenix #Peter Piper Pizza #Slice of Knowledge #Read Better Be Better

Peter Piper Pizza Relaunches Slice of Knowledge Foundation

Peter Piper Pizza is excited to announce the return of its charitable initiative, the Slice of Knowledge Foundation, on March 30th. This program seeks to raise vital funds for literacy programs supporting children’s education in Arizona. In partnership with the nonprofit organization Read Better Be Better, this initiative targets youth literacy through inspiring young readers and empowering young leaders.

The Need for Early Literacy

Arizona has been struggling with public education, placing last in national rankings. Disturbingly, one in four students drops out of high school, with only 26% of fourth-grade students achieving grade-level reading proficiency. Furthermore, studies indicate that students who are not reading fluently by the end of third grade are four times more likely to discontinue their education. Therefore, early intervention in literacy is crucial to keep these students on track for success.

The Slice of Knowledge Foundation aims to tackle these pressing issues by fundraising for educational programs targeting students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Read Better Be Better’s mission aligns perfectly with this goal, focusing on connecting young readers with mentors to instill a lifelong passion for reading.

How to Participate

From March 30 until April 26, customers who visit Peter Piper Pizza locations in Phoenix, Tucson, and Albuquerque can donate $2 to the Slice of Knowledge Foundation. In return, they will receive five coupons for free 12-ounce ICEEs. Customers can also support the campaign by rounding up their online orders to the nearest dollar, with every cent going directly to the foundation to support literacy and leadership programs.

Genaro Perez, Chief Marketing Officer at Peter Piper Pizza, expressed pride in contributing to community efforts that foster growth and development for children. “Our restaurants are designed to bring families together, and this spirit fuels our commitment to giving back to the community,” he stated.

Impact on Young Readers

The Read Better Be Better program pairs “Readers” (kids in grades K-3) with “Leaders” (students in grades 4-8) in a peer-guided model that enhances reading abilities and builds leadership confidence. Preliminary results from a comparative study conducted in 2025 showed that third graders participating in the program outperformed their non-participating peers by 4.9 percentage points on Arizona's state reading assessment. This success underscores the program's effectiveness and earns it recognition as an evidenced-based intervention under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Megan Jefferies, Development Director at Read Better Be Better, highlighted the critical need for literacy in Arizona. “Literacy is the foundation of everything a child can achieve in life, and the need is greater than ever in our state,” she noted. “Collaborating with Peter Piper Pizza allows us to reach more young readers and leaders in our communities.”

Previous Success and Future Goals

Last year’s campaign successfully raised $10,000 for Chicanos Por la Causa, assisting underserved youth through funding for STEM/STEAM enrichment programs, tutoring, books, and access to necessary technology. The continued support from the community helps drive educational improvements that directly benefit local students.

To learn more about how to get involved with Peter Piper Pizza and the Slice of Knowledge Foundation, you can visit peterpiperpizza.com and follow @peterpiperpizza on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.

About Peter Piper Pizza

Founded in 1973 in Glendale, Arizona, Peter Piper Pizza, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of CEC Entertainment, LLC. This beloved pizzeria chain offers not only delicious food but also a vibrant atmosphere meant for family fun, with over 120 locations across the U.S. and Mexico. Each day, Peter Piper prepares fresh pizza dough and aims to deliver quality food and fun experiences to reconnect families and friends. Annually, Peter Piper Pizza contributes over $600,000 to schools, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations focused on education and child development.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Nicole Bergquist
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 817-329-3257