As Valentine’s Day approaches, two major pizza chains are offering uniquely themed products that are stirring up a blend of curiosity and skepticism. Domino’s and Papa John’s have introduced limited-edition fragrances and bath products that push the boundaries of food-inspired scents, raising eyebrows and sparking conversation.
Domino’s has launched Eau de Passion, a perfume inspired by the scent of its Pepperoni Passion pizza. Available exclusively in the UK and Ireland, the fragrance is said to feature “notes of spice, pepper, and a woody, warm, comforting base.” The perfume, which comes in a pyramid-shaped bottle designed to resemble pizza slices, will be available as a prize for select participants who enter a contest between February 10-17 on the Domino’s website.
Meanwhile, Papa John’s is taking the concept of pizza-themed products to a more unconventional level. Responding to fan comments about wanting to “bathe” in its Garlic Dipping Sauce, the company has created a limited-edition bath bomb inspired by its signature garlic sauce. The bath bomb, which will be distributed randomly to fans who post about their love for Papa John’s on social media, offers no details on its scent profile or whether it will turn bath water into a garlic-scented dip. Papa John’s even collaborated with parody account @hannasaurr for the promotional announcement.
While food-inspired fragrances have long been popular for their ability to evoke desire and craving, the line between appealing and off-putting is thin. Scents like vanilla, chocolate, and citrus are often associated with attraction, but when it comes to savory foods like pizza, the appeal might not translate as well into personal care products.
As cultural critic Rachel Syme noted in The New Yorker, smells can carry vastly different connotations depending on context. For instance, the inviting aroma of garlic bread at a friend’s dinner table radiates warmth, while it’s far less pleasant in the confined space of a bathtub. Similarly, while a slice of pepperoni pizza is delightful when shared with others, wearing its scent could evoke less romantic associations, such as a lingering odor that’s hard to shake.
Despite the oddity of these new products, it’s clear that pizza chains are embracing bold marketing tactics to capitalize on the growing trend of food-inspired fragrances. Whether they’re ultimately a hit or a flop, Domino’s and Papa John’s are certainly generating attention—and perhaps setting the stage for even more unusual releases in the future.
For now, lucky Papa John’s fans can look forward to cleaning artificial garlic scents out of their bathtubs, while Domino’s perfume aficionados may soon be spritzing on the scent of pizza.
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