The pie is known to have been created for workers from Lancashire's Catholic community, to consume on days (mainly Friday) when meat could not be eaten.

[3] Butter pies were served on match days at Deepdale, the stadium of Preston North End F.C.

until 2007 when the providers, Ashworth Foods Ltd, ceased trading.

[citation needed] This dish is also mentioned in the Paul and Linda McCartney song "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey", which contains the lyrics, "I had another look and I had a cup of tea and butter pie".

The butter pie is served in most areas of the historic boundaries of Lancashire, including Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Burnley, Bury, Chorley, Lancaster, Preston, St Helens and Wigan (whose residents are sometimes known by the nickname pie-eaters).