Cookie Policy
Understanding how Lou Malnati's uses cookies to enhance your website experience
Last Updated: January 15, 2024
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Lou Malnati's ("we," "us," or "our") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on our website loumalnatis.click ("Website"). This policy is designed to help you understand what cookies are, how we use them, and the choices you have regarding their use.
By using our Website, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this policy. This Cookie Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which provides additional information about how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.
We are committed to being transparent about the data collection practices of our Website and providing you with meaningful choices about how your data is used.
2. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer, smartphone, or other device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners.
Cookies serve several functions:
- Essential functionality: Enable basic website features like page navigation and access to secure areas
- Performance monitoring: Help us understand how visitors use our website
- User experience: Remember your preferences and provide personalized content
- Marketing: Deliver relevant advertisements and track their effectiveness
Types of Cookies by Duration
Types of Cookies by Source
3. Why We Use Cookies
We use cookies for several important reasons that help us provide you with the best possible experience on our website:
Essential Website Functionality
- Maintaining your shopping cart contents as you browse our menu
- Remembering your login status and preferences
- Ensuring website security and preventing fraud
- Enabling core website features like online ordering
Performance Improvement
- Understanding which pages are most popular
- Identifying and fixing website errors
- Optimizing website loading speed
- Analyzing user navigation patterns
User Experience Personalization
- Remembering your delivery location and preferences
- Saving your favorite menu items
- Customizing content based on your interests
- Providing relevant restaurant recommendations
Analytics and Statistics
- Measuring website traffic and usage patterns
- Understanding customer demographics
- Tracking conversion rates for online orders
- Improving our menu and service offerings
Marketing and Advertising
- Displaying relevant advertisements on other websites
- Measuring the effectiveness of our marketing campaigns
- Providing personalized promotions and offers
- Retargeting visitors who showed interest in our products
4. Types of Cookies We Use
Below is a comprehensive list of the cookies we use on our website, organized by category:
4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the website to function properly. They cannot be disabled without affecting basic website functionality.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | Lou Malnati's | Maintains user session and shopping cart | Session | Browser close |
| cookieConsent | Lou Malnati's | Remembers your cookie preference choices | Persistent | 1 year |
| security_token | Lou Malnati's | CSRF protection and form security | Session | Browser close |
| load_balancer | Lou Malnati's | Directs traffic to appropriate server | Session | Browser close |
4.2 Performance/Analytics Cookies
These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting anonymous statistical data.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users and sessions | Persistent | 2 years |
| _ga_[ID] | Google Analytics | Contains campaign, session, and traffic data | Persistent | 2 years |
| _gid | Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique users | Persistent | 24 hours |
| _gat | Google Analytics | Throttles request rate to Google | Persistent | 1 minute |
| _collect | Google Analytics | Sends analytics data to Google | Session | Browser close |
4.3 Functionality Cookies
These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| user_location | Lou Malnati's | Remembers delivery address for faster checkout | Persistent | 30 days |
| menu_preferences | Lou Malnati's | Stores favorite menu items and dietary preferences | Persistent | 90 days |
| order_history | Lou Malnati's | Remembers previous orders for quick reordering | Persistent | 1 year |
| ui_preferences | Lou Malnati's | Saves user interface settings and display options | Persistent | 1 year |
4.4 Targeting/Marketing Cookies
These cookies are used to deliver advertisements and track marketing campaign performance.
| Cookie Name | Provider | Purpose | Type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| _fbp | Tracks visits and conversions from Facebook ads | Persistent | 3 months | |
| _fbc | Stores last visit if arriving from Facebook ad | Persistent | 3 months | |
| __utm_source | Lou Malnati's | Tracks traffic sources and campaign effectiveness | Persistent | 6 months |
| remarketing_pixel | Google Ads | Enables remarketing to previous website visitors | Persistent | 540 days |
5. Third-Party Cookies
Our website uses services from third-party providers that may set their own cookies. We do not control these cookies, and their use is governed by the privacy policies of these third parties.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website. Google Analytics collects anonymous information about your visits, including pages viewed, time spent on pages, and traffic sources.
Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
Opt-out: Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
Facebook Pixel
We use Facebook Pixel to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns and to show relevant ads to people who have visited our website.
Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation
Ad Preferences: Facebook Ad Preferences
Other Advertising Partners
We may work with other advertising partners who use cookies to provide targeted advertising. These partners have their own privacy policies and cookie management options.
6. Cookie Duration
Different cookies have different lifespans:
| Duration Category | Timeframe | Examples | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session | Until browser closes | Shopping cart, login session | Temporary functionality during your visit |
| Short-term | 1 day to 1 week | Recent searches, temporary preferences | Brief personalization and performance |
| Medium-term | 1 month to 6 months | Location, menu preferences | User convenience and experience |
| Long-term | 1 year to 2 years | Analytics, marketing campaigns | Analysis and advertising optimization |
7. How to Manage Cookies
You have several options for managing cookies on your device:
7.1 Browser Settings
All modern web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. Here are instructions for popular browsers:
Google Chrome
- Open Chrome and click on the three dots menu in the top right corner
- Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu
- Click on "Privacy and security" in the left sidebar
- Click on "Cookies and other site data"
- Choose your preferred cookie settings:
- Allow all cookies
- Block third-party cookies in Incognito
- Block third-party cookies
- Block all cookies
- To delete existing cookies, click "See all cookies and site data" and then "Remove all"
Mozilla Firefox
- Open Firefox and click on the menu button (three horizontal lines)
- Select "Options" (Windows) or "Preferences" (Mac)
- Click on "Privacy & Security" in the left panel
- Under "Cookies and Site Data," choose your preference:
- Accept cookies and site data from websites
- Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed
- Block cookies and site data
- Click "Manage Data" to view and delete specific cookies
Safari
- Open Safari and go to "Safari" in the menu bar
- Select "Preferences"
- Click on the "Privacy" tab
- Under "Cookies and website data," choose:
- Always allow
- Allow from websites I visit
- Allow from current website only
- Always block
- Click "Manage Website Data" to view and remove specific cookies
Microsoft Edge
- Open Edge and click on the three dots menu
- Select "Settings"
- Click on "Cookies and site permissions" in the left sidebar
- Click on "Cookies and site data"
- Choose your cookie settings and manage exceptions
- Use "See all cookies and site data" to manage individual cookies
7.2 Opt-Out Links
For specific services, you can opt out directly:
- Google Analytics Opt-out
- Facebook Ad Preferences
- Network Advertising Initiative Opt-out
- Digital Advertising Alliance Opt-out
7.3 Our Cookie Consent Tool
When you first visit our website, you'll see a cookie consent banner that allows you to:
- Accept all cookies
- Reject all non-essential cookies
- Customize your cookie preferences by category
You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer or contacting us directly.
8. Consequences of Disabling Cookies
While you can browse our website with cookies disabled, some functionality may be limited:
Essential Cookies Disabled
- Online ordering system may not function properly
- Shopping cart contents will not be saved
- User login sessions may not persist
- Website security features may be compromised
Functionality Cookies Disabled
- Your location and delivery preferences won't be remembered
- Favorite menu items won't be saved
- You'll need to re-enter information on each visit
- Personalized recommendations won't be available
Analytics Cookies Disabled
- We won't be able to improve website performance based on usage data
- Website optimization efforts may be less effective
- Error detection and fixing may be slower
Marketing Cookies Disabled
- Advertisements may be less relevant to your interests
- You may see the same ads repeatedly
- Special offers may not be personalized
- Marketing campaign effectiveness cannot be measured
9. Do Not Track Signals
Some browsers include a "Do Not Track" (DNT) setting that requests websites not to track your online activity. Currently, there is no universal standard for how websites should respond to DNT signals.
Our website currently does not respond to DNT signals automatically. However, you can control your cookie preferences through our cookie consent tool and browser settings as described above.
We respect your privacy choices and provide clear options for managing your data and cookie preferences regardless of your browser's DNT setting.
10. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make significant changes, we will:
- Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
- Notify you through a prominent notice on our website
- Send an email notification if you have provided your email address
- Request renewed consent if required by law
We encourage you to review this Cookie Policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies and how you can control them.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:
We will respond to your inquiry within 30 days and work with you to address any concerns about our cookie practices.
12. More Information
For additional information about cookies and online privacy, you may find these resources helpful:
- All About Cookies - Comprehensive information about cookies and privacy
- ICO Cookie Guidance - UK Information Commissioner's Office guidance on cookies
- Cookie Law Info - International cookie law information
- Google Chrome Cookie Help
- Firefox Cookie Help
- Safari Cookie Help
This Cookie Policy is part of our commitment to transparency and your privacy. We believe that understanding how cookies work and what choices you have helps you make informed decisions about your online experience with Lou Malnati's.