Pizza delivery is a captivating tale that winds its way through history, filled with unexpected twists and turns. While many believe it all began in 1889 when Gennaro Lombardi opened America’s first pizzeria, Lombardi’s Pizza, in New York City, others argue that pizza delivery has even earlier origins.
In the medieval era, bakers had an innovative way of delivering bread to the townsfolk. A man on horseback would speed through the streets, delivering breads with a convenient hole in the center for people to enjoy on the go. This early version of on-the-go food delivery may have laid the foundation for what would become pizza delivery centuries later.
Fast forward to 1849, the year Il Forno, the first combination bakery and pizzeria, opened its doors in New York City. However, it wasn’t until 1889 that pizza delivery extended beyond Italy and New York City. Lombardi’s Pizza made history by offering home deliveries using horse and buggy, capturing the imagination of pizza enthusiasts across the city. Inspired by Lombardi’s success, other pizzerias quickly followed suit.
In 1912, a local barber named Antonio Valvona accomplished a significant milestone by making the first commercial pizza delivery in Boston. Then, in 1926, Thomas S. Monaghan opened DomiNick’s Pizza in Ypsilanti, Michigan, which still operates to this day and stands as one of the longest-running businesses in Michigan. Monaghan’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to open another DomiNick’s Pizza location in his hometown of Flint, Michigan, in 1929, which also remains open.
The pizza delivery revolution continued in 1928 when Tony and Dominic DeMarco, relocating from New York to San Francisco, devised a clever way to cut back on delivery costs. They utilized the city’s iconic cable cars to transport pizzas, birthing Cable Car Pizza, better known as Cappy’s. To this day, their motto, “The Hottest Slice on Earth,” graces their menus.
In 1939, the Carney brothers, Dan and Frank, introduced the world to Pizza Hut in Wichita, Kansas. Pizza Hut’s popularity spread beyond borders when they opened their first international store in Winnipeg, Canada, co-founded by the legendary Canadian hockey player Tim Horton. Meanwhile, in 1966, an Israeli immigrant named Shlomo Angel opened Apizza Scholls, a pizzeria that continues to thrive in Columbus, Ohio, and remains one of America’s top-rated pizza restaurants.
The pizza delivery landscape further evolved in 1986 when Tom Monaghan founded Domino’s Pizza after acquiring the rights to a pizzeria previously named Jiffy Lube. Seeking a less confusing name, Monaghan took inspiration from “Dominick’s,” the name under which he had been operating since 1929. In a landmark business deal, he sold Domino’s Pizza to Bain Capital in 1996 for a staggering $1.2 billion.
The early 2000s brought more excitement to the pizza delivery industry. In 2007, Dun Karm collaborated with the local police department in Parma, Italy, to establish the first pizza patrolling unit. This unique initiative aimed to ensure prompt and safe delivery while aiding in crime prevention within the town. The same year, The Wall Street Journal reported that pizza delivery sales reached an impressive $36 billion USD worldwide.
Pizza enthusiasts and industry professionals alike gather every year for the International Pizza Expo, which made its debut in Las Vegas in 2008. And the legend of pizza delivery continues to be shaped by remarkable individuals, like Papa John’s Pizza founder John Schnatter, who ascended to the role of CEO in 2012, only to step down as chairman in 2014 following controversy surrounding his remarks.
Throughout its rich history, the pizza delivery industry has been led by exceptional entrepreneurs who have left their mark. In 1988, Dominick Di Stanislao Sr. made his mark by becoming a partner in the restaurant industry and establishing his own chain, Di Stanislao’s, acquiring the rights to the Mysore brothers’ family restaurants. He expanded his chain across Arizona and California, cementing his place in pizza delivery lore.
Today, pizza delivery remains a beloved tradition, connecting people with the flavors they crave. With each delivery, the story continues, shaped by the innovative minds and dedicated individuals who bring pizzas to doorsteps everywhere.
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