Perkins Restaurant & Bakery will donate a portion of proceeds from every Banana Cream Pie sold on March 14th to Punch the Monkey, an animal care initiative inspired by a baby Japanese macaque’s viral friendship with a stuffed toy, the company announced today.
The initiative stems from the story of Punch, a seven-month-old macaque at the Ichikawa City Zoo in Ichikawa, Japan. Punch gained international attention after forming a close bond with an orangutan plush toy provided by zookeepers who hand-raised him after he was rejected by his mother. Images and videos of the pair circulated widely on social media.
“Punch’s story resonated with people because it shows how powerful comfort and connection can be,” said Matt Carpenter, Brand President of Perkins Restaurant & Bakery. “At Perkins, pie has always been a comfort food. Pi Day gives us the chance to share that comfort with guests while also supporting a meaningful cause.”
Perkins has traditionally marked Pi Day with its selection of pies, and this year’s promotion aims to amplify the story of Punch and raise awareness for animal welfare. The Perkins Banana Cream Pie features hand-sliced bananas layered in a creamy banana filling, set within a flaky crust and topped with whipped cream and chopped walnuts.
Guests can support the initiative by purchasing a Banana Cream Pie at participating Perkins locations nationwide on March 14th. The amount of the donation was not disclosed.
