Pizzas crafted with fresh dough, sauce, toppings, and shredded cheese daily: Gionino’s has been a go-to for pizza in Ohio for 35 years.

In 1988, prior to opening, Sam and Chuck both had restaurant experience in pizza shops and had discussed opening their own business together, so it was only natural that they would enter the pizza industry. In July of 1989, the two took over what would become the Tallmadge location of Gionino’s.

“It was an existing pizza shop called Gionino’s. We didn’t have any money, so in order to change the name, which we really wanted to do, we would have to update everything inside,” Sam says. “We kept the name and changed everything; all the recipes, the whole concept. That’s basically how it got started. The two of us and a small loan from our dad (Tony).”

A preowned storefront came with some preowned issues. The previous owners had given the Owen brothers the recipe that the shop had been using, but after a week, it was scrapped. It wasn’t until their mother, Josephine, came in and helped the two craft all new recipes that Gionino’s started seeing good business.

“We were giving away free pizzas for a couple of hours a day just to get people in the door and try the product. The place we bought had a bad reputation, so we had to let the public know that everything had changed.” Chuck says, “Our motto was that when customers tried the pizza and liked it, we would say, ‘Spread the word.’”

The news spread rapidly, attracting both new and returning customers to Gionino’s, eager to savor the fresh flavors introduced by the Owen brothers in the old storefront. At that time, the shop offered pizza, chicken, salads, and subs. One particular pizza would play a key role in their success.

In December of 1989, the brothers entered Gionino’s into a blind pizza-tasting competition. Their pizza of choice, aptly named “The Best,” was topped with pepperoni, sausage, ground beef, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, bacon, black olives, and mild banana pepper rings. No doubt about it, "The Best" won the award for Gionino's Pizzeria.

From that point on, Gionino’s began to thrive. Business grew at their Tallmadge location, and every family member contributed in any way they could. Their brother, Chris Owen, had a role in this business from as young as 15, spending his weekends at the shop. After graduating high school, Chris pitched the idea of opening up another Gionino’s location run by himself and a business partner.

“When Chris approached us about opening a second location, he mentioned that he wanted to start a pizza shop. I offered to help him and guide him through the process, but he insisted on using our name. I told him, ‘Well, you can’t have that name. It belongs to us.’” Sam recalls, “Then another employee chimed in and said, ‘I want to do the same thing.’”

Franchising was an unexpected next step for the brothers, as the two of them had gotten into the pizza business out of their love for the craft.

“We were just happy and content to be working for ourselves and doing what we love to do,” Sam says.

For 32 years, Chris followed in the footsteps of the Owen family, opening up the second location in Munroe Falls and working in the stores until he sold the shop to his business partner. Now, Chris works full-time in the office as the active Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Gionino’s.

“Prior to me coming on as COO, we had a lot of stores, so we needed to do some quality control. I did that for 12 to 13 years before this position, which entailed going around to the stores and making sure that they were complying with our menu and product.” Chris says. “I always say if it looks good from the sidewalk to the customer’s point of view, then we must be doing something right.”

One of the key reasons Gionino’s stands out is their unwavering commitment to quality control. This dedication ensures that every bite is a delightful experience, setting them apart from the competition and making them a favorite among customers.

“Consistency comes from our supplier. If (franchisees) aren’t buying the product from Hillcrest, we can assume it’s not consistent.” says Chris, “Customers want quality, and they’re not unwilling to pay for that. They want good service, reliability, and to feel like they can trust their local pizza shop.”

Quality is what Gionino’s does right. You can walk into all of their 58 stores across Ohio, and your order will taste just as amazing as it was at the last. At Gionino’s, they treat everyone like family, whether you’re making the pizzas or enjoying them. It’s what has kept some of their most loyal customers coming back for 35 years.

“Customers that come into stores now want to see the same one or two people every time they come in. They don’t want to see a different person every time, so they’re confident that their food is going to be good.” Chuck says. “We are a franchise with mom-and-pop quality food.”

And it’s not just the pizza that keeps hungry mouths coming back. Sure, you’ll find a sub and salad at most pizza joints, but their crunchy Jojo’s and crispy, signature “Italiano Fried Chicken” are must-tries. The Jojo's are irresistibly crispy on the outside, while the inside boasts a delightful fluffiness akin to perfectly mashed potatoes and pairs well with the flavorful, savory fried chicken.

If you haven't tried Gionino's yet, you're in for a treat. It’s not like any other takeout pizza that leaves you feeling greasy after just one slice. The freshness and quality of Gionino's are unparalleled—you really have to taste it to believe it.

Don’t believe me? Ask Chuck’s daughter, Angelica, who’s been involved with Gionino’s since she was just a kid waddling around the shop.

“People always asked me growing up, ‘Do you ever get sick of that?’ Never. I’ve never been sick of our food in all 28 years of my life.” says Angelica.

Angelica is a prime example of the future of Gionino’s. Having just started a full-time position in the office, she is a representative of what the brand stands for: family, good food, and a friendly disposition.

“I’ve been coming in here and growing up in the business for my whole life, so it’s just kind of natural for me to want to do this,” Angelica says with a smile. “This has always been the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do — just what my dad did.”

Gionino’s has enjoyed 35 successful years in business, and the team remains dedicated to continuing this journey. They attribute their success to their loyal customers, hardworking franchisees, and great business relationships.

 

 

 

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