254. A Century of the Iconic Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana

In June, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana turns 100. The iconic New Haven pizzeria continues the legacy of Frank Pepe, who opened New Haven-style "abeetz" restaurant on the now famous Wooster Street in New Haven, Connecticut in 1925. On this week’s episode, we chat with Kevin Gagliard, Vice President of Operations for Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana.

He shares how the family has maintained the culinary heritage and legacy of the century-old pizzeria, while strategically growing the business. Today Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana has 17 locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, and South Florida. See how the legendary pizzeria plans to celebrate the momentous occasion. Find out how the century-old pizzeria has stayed relevant in a changing pizzeria landscape. Get insights on the operations of an extremely high volume pizza business.

Pepe’s success story includes: 

A Legacy of Quality: The iconic, 14-foot coal-fired ovens, signature white clam pizza, and commitment to authentic, high-quality ingredients.

Family-Run Resilience: How generations of the Pepe family have navigated changing times, from the Great Depression to the rise of modern restaurant operations.

Cultural Impact: Pepe’s helped put New Haven-style pizza on the map, influencing America’s love affair with pizza while maintaining its artisanal roots with its crispy yet chewy, slightly charred crust.

National Appeal: Frank Pepe’s has amassed a legion of fans around the country and is a beloved brand of celebrities, including actor Paul Giamatti, former president Bill Clinton, Henry Winkler, and more.  

Learn more about Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana at https://pepespizzeria.com/ and on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/frankpepepizza/ .