Giordano’s, Chicago’s iconic deep-dish pizza brand, is celebrating one of the city’s most beloved sports moments with the launch of the M-V-Pizza, a limited-time pizza created in honor of Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement.
A Chicago native, Rose became the youngest MVP in NBA history in 2011 as a member of the hometown Chicago Bulls. Rose remains one of the most influential athletes the city has ever embraced. The M-V-Pizza nods to that legacy, celebrating both Rose’s jersey retirement and the unforgettable moments he gave Chicago fans.
The pizza itself features a double layer of the brand’s proprietary pepperoni paired with a bold drizzle of homemade Calabrian hot honey for a powerful mix of heat, sweetness and hometown pride.
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“Derrick Rose represents the heart of Chicago—resilience, loyalty and perseverance,” said Meghan Parra, director of marketing and public relations for Giordano’s. “With the M-V-Pizza, we wanted to honor his legacy in a way only Giordano’s can—with a pizza that is full of Chi-town flavor and worthy of a true MVP.”
Available now through February 10, the M-V-Pizza can be ordered in Giordano’s famous Stuffed Deep Dish, Traditional Thin Crust or the new Tavern-Style. For dine-in guests, the deep-dish “MVP Style” features a special touch: the number “1” stenciled in parmesan cheese on top, paying homage to Derrick Rose’s jersey number, which will officially be hung in the rafters January 24.
“Our goal was to create a pizza that lives up to this cultural moment,” said executive chef Jesse Harris. “The double pepperoni brings classic intensity, while our homemade Calabrian hot honey adds an unexpected kick, creating an electrifying combination, just like Derrick’s game.”
The new item comes on the heels of another recent sports-themed launch from Giordano’s. In December, the company introduced “Da Pizza,” a limited-time pie commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl season, complete with an “’85” parmesan stencil and a social partnership with tight end Cole Kmet. The back-to-back releases point to a deliberate strategy of using limited-time pizzas to tap into Chicago sports culture and drive attention around menu innovation.
The M-V-Pizza is available for dine-in, carryout and delivery at participating Giordano’s locations across Chicagoland. Beginning January 12, it will also be available for nationwide shipping ordered online, shipped frozen, and ready to bake at home. Nationwide orders are available in packs of 2, 4 or 6 pizzas.
Available for a limited time, Giordano’s will donate $1 for every M-V-Pizza sold to Derrick Rose’s charity of choice, The Etiquette Series, which teaches youth in underserved urban communities the essentials for creating a personal and professional lifestyle.
