What is gluten-wise at Boston Pizza? Your guide to navigating the menu

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

Over a decade ago, Boston Pizza first introduced gluten-free options, but their modern "GlutenWise" designation comes with important caveats. Specifically, GlutenWise refers to menu items crafted with gluten-free ingredients, but importantly, they are prepared in a shared kitchen environment where gluten is also present. This crucial distinction is the key to understanding what is gluten-wise at Boston Pizza and whether it aligns with your specific dietary needs, especially for those with celiac disease.

Quick Summary

Boston Pizza’s GlutenWise menu features items made with gluten-free ingredients, though they are prepared in shared kitchen spaces, meaning cross-contamination is a possibility. This is an important distinction for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, who should exercise caution and communicate with staff when ordering.

Key Points

GlutenWise is Not Gluten-Free: The program uses gluten-free ingredients, but due to preparation in a shared kitchen, it is not certified or guaranteed to be gluten-free.
Cross-Contamination is a High Risk: Shared surfaces, utensils, and airborne flour in Boston Pizza's kitchens mean that trace amounts of gluten can easily end up in GlutenWise orders.
Celiacs Must Exercise Extreme Caution: Individuals with celiac disease or severe sensitivities should communicate clearly with staff and question preparation methods to minimize risk.
Menu Includes Diverse Options: Beyond pizza with cauliflower crust, the GlutenWise menu can include pasta, burgers on GF buns, oven-roasted wings, and salads.
Communication with Staff is Critical: Always inform your server and ask to speak with a manager to ensure your allergy is taken seriously and proper precautions are followed.
Check All Components: Confirm that all elements of your meal, including sauces and toppings, are part of the GlutenWise program, as not all may be.

Demystifying Boston Pizza's GlutenWise Program

Boston Pizza’s GlutenWise program was developed to accommodate guests with dietary sensitivities, ensuring they can still enjoy fresh, flavorful food. The core of the program is its commitment to using gluten-free ingredients in designated menu items, ranging from pizza and pasta to wings and burgers. The restaurant emphasizes that it’s a 'gluten-aware' rather than a 'certified gluten-free' diet, a critical point for diners with varying levels of gluten intolerance. For those with mild sensitivities, this may be a non-issue. For individuals with celiac disease, however, the shared kitchen and potential for cross-contamination are serious concerns.

The Importance of Ingredient Sourcing

To create its GlutenWise options, Boston Pizza utilizes specific products known to be free of gluten. For example, the GlutenWise pizza relies on a dedicated cauliflower crust, an option that has been well-received for its taste and texture. Other key elements, like their signature pizza sauce and many toppings, are also gluten-free ingredients. The same principle applies to other dishes, such as pasta and burger buns, which are made using gluten-free ingredients. However, diners must remain vigilant about toppings and sauces that may not be part of the GlutenWise assurance. The restaurant provides detailed nutritional information online, but the ultimate responsibility for a safe meal rests with the diner and their communication with the staff.

Cross-Contamination: A Celiac’s Primary Concern

The central issue with dining GlutenWise at Boston Pizza, particularly for those with celiac disease, is the risk of cross-contamination. Unlike a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, Boston Pizza’s standard kitchens are busy environments where flour, crumbs, and other gluten-containing items are present. The company explicitly states that cross-contamination may occur during preparation. This can happen in several ways:

Shared Surfaces: A countertop used for preparing a regular pizza could transfer gluten to a GlutenWise pizza, even if wiped down.
Airborne Flour: In a pizzeria environment, flour can become airborne, settling on surfaces and food items.
Shared Utensils and Gloves: Staff may inadvertently use the same cutters, spatulas, or gloves for both gluten and non-gluten items, transferring trace amounts of gluten.
Shared Fryers: While oven-roasted wings are an option, fried items are often cooked in the same oil as breaded foods, making them unsafe for celiacs.

A Comparison: GlutenWise vs. Certified Gluten-Free


Feature	GlutenWise at Boston Pizza	Certified Gluten-Free
Ingredient Sourcing	Uses gluten-free ingredients	Uses strictly gluten-free ingredients
Preparation Environment	Shared kitchen with high risk of cross-contamination	Dedicated kitchen or strict protocol to prevent cross-contamination
Safety Guarantee	No guarantee of being free from gluten	Verified to contain less than 20 ppm of gluten
Best For	Individuals with mild gluten sensitivities or preferences	Individuals with celiac disease or severe gluten allergies
Level of Caution	Requires proactive questioning of staff regarding kitchen protocols	Higher level of assurance, but always good to confirm protocols

How to Order Safely as a Sensitive Diner

For those with severe gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, a successful meal at Boston Pizza requires more than simply ordering from the GlutenWise menu. Here are crucial steps to take:

Research and Call Ahead: Look up the menu online beforehand and consider calling the restaurant during non-peak hours to speak with a manager. Inquire about their specific cross-contamination procedures and express the severity of your allergy.
Dine Off-Peak: Visiting during less busy times (e.g., mid-afternoon) allows kitchen staff to be more attentive and methodical with your order, reducing the chance of rushed errors.
Speak with the Server (and Manager): Clearly state your dietary restriction. Don't be afraid to ask to speak with a manager or chef. Confirm they understand that even small amounts of gluten are harmful.
Confirm Preparation Methods: Ask specific questions, such as whether your dish will be prepared on a clean surface with clean utensils. For pizza, ask about the use of separate cutters. If you order wings, confirm they are oven-roasted and not fried.
Confirm Upon Delivery: When your dish arrives, re-confirm with the server that it is your GlutenWise order and was prepared with care. Never hesitate to send something back if it does not look right. A quick confirmation can prevent a serious reaction. For further advice on dining out with celiac disease, consider consulting resources like the Celiac Canada website: https://www.celiac.ca/

Conclusion

The GlutenWise program at Boston Pizza provides a range of options for those seeking to reduce their gluten intake, using carefully selected gluten-free ingredients. However, it is fundamentally different from a certified gluten-free standard due to the shared kitchen environment. This distinction is paramount for individuals with celiac disease, who face a significant risk of cross-contamination. While many with milder sensitivities can enjoy the offerings, celiac patients must be their own best advocate, communicating clearly with staff and confirming preparation protocols to ensure their meal is as safe as possible. Your health depends on understanding and acting on the difference between 'gluten-wise' and 'gluten-free.'

Frequently Asked Questions

According to Boston Pizza, GlutenWise items are prepared with gluten-free ingredients but in a kitchen where other gluten items are handled, meaning cross-contamination can occur.

No, it is not guaranteed to be safe for those with celiac disease due to the high risk of cross-contamination from a shared kitchen environment. Celiac patients should proceed with extreme caution and clear communication.

You should speak directly with your server and a manager to discuss specific cross-contamination precautions. This includes asking about separate preparation areas, clean utensils, and oven-only cooking for items like wings.

Boston Pizza does not state they use dedicated equipment for all GlutenWise preparation. Some online reports from Celiac communities suggest that specific franchises may have better protocols, but this is not a universal policy. Assume shared equipment unless told otherwise.

While the cauliflower crust is GlutenWise, diners should confirm that specific toppings and sauces are also designated GlutenWise, as some (like BBQ sauce) may not be.

Oven-roasted wings are typically listed as GlutenWise, but fried wings are not recommended as they are cooked in shared fryers. Even oven-roasted options carry a risk from handling in the shared kitchen.

Order during off-peak hours when the kitchen is less chaotic, communicate your needs clearly to staff, and choose simpler dishes with fewer components. Always double-check your order when it arrives.

GlutenWise options typically include pizza with cauliflower crust, pasta with a gluten-free noodle option, burgers and sandwiches with a gluten-free bun, salads (without croutons), and specific desserts.