N※N

Simone Biles Dines with House Pizza to Fuel a Viral Instagram Sensation

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/1 .. e-pizza-to-fuel-a-viral-instagram-sensation.html
  Published in House and Home on Sunday, November 16th 2025 at 17:55 GMT by Sporting News

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-16 224 x 224 / 10981 Bytes

2025-11-16 179 x 224 / 11646 Bytes

2025-11-16 221 x 224 / 6850 Bytes

2025-11-16 224 x 224 / 11053 Bytes

Simone Biles, Jonathan Owens, House Pizza, Instagram and the Chicago Bears – A Look at the Viral Moment that Sparked a New Trend

When Olympic gymnastics superstar Simone Biles stepped into a neighborhood pizzeria on the South Side of Chicago, she didn’t just take a bite of a slice. She took the internet by storm, a viral Instagram post that merged athletic fandom, foodie culture and a beloved NFL team into one bite‑size moment that captured the imagination of fans across the country. The story that unfolded behind that photo—how a single image became a marketing goldmine and a testament to the power of cross‑industry collaboration—provides a fascinating snapshot of contemporary pop‑culture dynamics.

1. The Set‑Up: House Pizza Meets an Olympic Icon

The pizza joint in question is House Pizza, a locally owned chain that has built a reputation for bold flavors and Instagram‑ready presentation. The outlet located in the heart of Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood has been a favorite of food‑ie’s and sports‑fans alike. In early April, the pizzeria decided to launch a new campaign that would pair its “House Pizza” brand with a larger‑scale community event: a partnership with the Chicago Bears to celebrate the team’s 2024 season.

The campaign’s core concept was simple: create a “pizza‑for‑Bears” menu that would be available exclusively at House Pizza during the first week of the season, and then amplify the buzz through social‑media influencers and fans. For the first big test run, the pizzeria invited Simone Biles—who, beyond her gymnastics accolades, has a massive following on Instagram and a public persona that blends athletic excellence with everyday relatable moments—to visit the restaurant for a taste test. The idea was to combine the star power of Biles with the local charm of House Pizza and the excitement surrounding the Bears.

2. The Instagram Moment That Sparked the Trend

On April 10, the Chicago‑based pizzeria posted a short story on its official Instagram account. In the story, Biles is shown laughing with a chef while holding a slice of pizza. Beside her, Jonathan Owens—the charismatic co‑founder of House Pizza and a well‑known local influencer—poses next to a plate of the same pizza. The background is decorated with Chicago Bears gear: a large banner, a jersey, and even a giant miniature Bears logo on the table. The caption reads, “Celebrating the start of the Bears season with the best slice in town 🍕🏈 #BearsNation #HousePizza.”

The story immediately went viral. Within hours, it had amassed over 150,000 views, and the hashtag #BearsNation saw a sudden spike in usage. Biles’ account re‑shared the photo with a heartfelt caption about how “food brings people together,” adding a personal touch that resonated with fans. Jonathan Owens, who had a following of 42,000 across Instagram and TikTok, responded with a quick “Love this!” video that further amplified the buzz.

The photo’s combination of an Olympic icon, a beloved sports team, and a local eatery created a potent mix that captured the attention of three distinct audiences: gymnastics fans, Chicago Bears supporters, and food‑bloggers. This cross‑audience appeal is a hallmark of successful brand collaborations in the digital age.

3. Jonathan Owens – From Pizzeria Owner to Community Connector

Jonathan Owens, who co‑owns House Pizza with his partner Maria Ruiz, has built a reputation as more than just a restaurant owner. Known for his charismatic presence on local TikTok videos and his role in hosting community events, Owens has been instrumental in bridging the gap between the pizzeria and the larger Chicago community. In the interview that accompanies the article, Owens explained his motivation:

“We’re not just about pizza. We’re about community. When we invited Simone to try our new ‘Bears‑Season’ pizza, we wanted to celebrate a shared passion that brings people together.”

Owens’ background as a former marketing manager for a Chicago‑based apparel brand also helped shape the campaign’s social‑media strategy. His insight into audience engagement—especially among Gen‑Z consumers—was a critical factor in the campaign’s success.

4. The Chicago Bears Connection

The Chicago Bears’ participation in the campaign came through a partnership with the team’s marketing office. The Bears’ social‑media manager, Lisa Martinez, praised the collaboration:

“It’s great to see local businesses partnering with our community in creative ways. The Bears love a good pizza as much as we love our game, and this partnership gave us another platform to celebrate our city.”

The Bears’ own Instagram account tagged House Pizza and Simone Biles in a post that read, “What’s better than a Bears game? A slice of House Pizza during the game.” The post garnered 90,000 likes in a single day.

Beyond the immediate buzz, the Bears’ involvement also translated into tangible sales metrics. According to the article’s follow‑up data, House Pizza saw a 27% increase in foot traffic during the week of the Bears’ home game, and the special “Bears‑Season” pizza topped the sales chart for the week.

5. Marketing Impact and Lessons Learned

The success of this collaboration provides a case study in how cross‑industry partnerships can generate rapid, organic reach. Key takeaways include:

1. Aligning Brand Values: The pizzeria, the athlete, and the sports team all share a theme of community and celebration. This alignment made the partnership feel authentic rather than a forced marketing push.

2. Leveraging Influencer Reach: Simone Biles’ massive following instantly exposed the pizzeria to millions of potential customers. Jonathan Owens’ local influencer status added a layer of trust for the community.

3. Visual Storytelling: The Instagram story’s visual blend—pizza, Bears gear, a vibrant backdrop—created a meme‑worthy moment that viewers shared widely.

4. Real‑Time Engagement: The simultaneous posting on multiple platforms (House Pizza, Biles, Owens, Bears) ensured that the content appeared in multiple algorithmic streams, maximizing reach.

5. Measurable Outcomes: The reported sales spike and increased foot traffic underscore how digital campaigns can be directly linked to revenue metrics when properly tracked.

6. Community Response and Cultural Resonance

While the numbers tell part of the story, the community’s reaction speaks to the deeper cultural impact. Food‑lover blogs praised the “Bears‑Season” pizza for its creative topping—a blend of sweet corn, jalapeños, and smoked cheddar that echoed the city’s diverse culinary scene. The Bears fan community created a fan‑made meme featuring Biles holding a slice of pizza, humorously titled “Biles & Bears: The Perfect Combo.”

Local news outlets covered the story in a “Sports & Food” segment, highlighting how the collaboration brought together different facets of Chicago culture. One article quoted a regular patron:

“I came in for the pizza and left with a new love for the Bears because of that post. It’s a great way to bring people together.”

7. Follow‑Up Resources

For readers interested in exploring the campaign further, the article provides several useful links:

• House Pizza Website (http://www.housepizza.com) – Features the “Bears‑Season” pizza menu, location hours, and a gallery of photos from the event.
• Simone Biles’ Instagram Profile (https://www.instagram.com/simonebiles/) – Where fans can see the original post and subsequent engagement.
• Jonathan Owens’ TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@jonathanowens) – Offers behind‑the‑scenes footage of the pizza‑making process.
• Chicago Bears’ Official Site (https://www.chicagobears.com) – Contains the team’s press release on the partnership.
• Local Food Blog – A review of the “Bears‑Season” pizza and its reception among Chicago food critics.

8. Conclusion – A Snapshot of Modern Pop‑Culture Synergy

The Instagram post that began as a simple slice of pizza quickly became a testament to how powerful cross‑industry collaborations can be when they resonate with the values of each partner’s audience. Simone Biles, Jonathan Owens, House Pizza, and the Chicago Bears each brought a distinct element—athletic excellence, culinary passion, local entrepreneurship, and sporting pride—to the table. Together, they created a moment that not only boosted sales and engagement but also reinforced the idea that shared experiences, whether on a gymnastics floor, a football field, or a pizza counter, can unite communities.

In an era where content is king and authenticity is the currency, this collaboration demonstrates that strategic partnerships grounded in genuine shared values can produce outcomes that are both commercially successful and culturally meaningful. The viral Instagram story is now a case study that future marketers, athletes, and local businesses will likely study for years to come.