Frank Pepe's Development

What Frank Pepe's Development does

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, operating under Frank Pepe's Development Company, LLC, is a family-owned pizzeria chain founded in 1925 in New Haven, Connecticut, by Italian immigrant Frank Pepe. The company currently operates 17 coal-fired pizzeria restaurants across 7 U.S. states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Florida, Rhode Island, Virginia, Maryland, and New York) and is run by the third generation of the Pepe family (Anthony, Francis, Lisa, Bernadette, Genevieve, Jennifer, and Gary). The company explicitly does not franchise and serves individual consumers, families, corporate groups, and private event customers through dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering, and private party experiences.

The core product is New Haven-style "Apizza" prepared in custom-built coal-fired brick ovens (14 feet by 14 feet, 100,000 pounds) that are exact replicas of the original 1925 Wooster Street design, including original cast-iron doors. A proprietary wetter dough recipe with extended fermentation interacts with the ~600-degree coal-fired heat to produce a signature charred, crispy, chewy crust. The menu centers on specialty pies (Original Tomato Pie from $12, Margherita, White Clam, Doppio Pepperoni, specialty pies $16.50–$21), build-your-own pizzas, value bundles ($28.49–$52.99), salads, Foxon Park sodas, and Italian desserts, supported by imported ingredients (Sardinian pecorino, Mount Vesuvius-region tomatoes, Long Island Sound clams).

Revenue is generated through unit-priced dine-in sales, online ordering for pickup and delivery, catering with the Mobile Oven Party Experience, private party hosting at designated "Spot" venues, gift cards ($25–$200 physical and digital via Givex), and a branded merchandise storefront. The 2023-launched Pepe's Rewards program with a dedicated iOS/Android app supports customer retention through a $10 signup bonus, 1 point per dollar, and $5 rewards at 75 points. The business operates a profit-sharing model distributing at least 25% of annual profits to teammates and fully funds Cornell continuing education, and the company is privately held with no parent, no franchise model, and no public revenue disclosure.

Name

Frank Pepe's Development

Legal name

Frank Pepe's Development Company, LLC

Website

https://pepespizzeria.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is a family-owned pizzeria chain founded in 1925, operating 17 coal-fired brick oven restaurants across 7 U.S. states. It serves individual consumers, families, and event customers through dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering, and private party services, without franchising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Casual Dining Restaurants

NAICS

Limited-Service Restaurants (722513), Caterers (722320)

akta.pro primary industry

Pizza Fast Casual (THAFABAB)

Keywords

• Coal-fired pizza
• Casual dining restaurants
• Pizza catering services
• Restaurant loyalty program
• Specialty pizza menu

Headquarters

HQ city

Meriden

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Dine-In Restaurant Sales: Revenue from customers dining in at one of 17 restaurant locations across 7 states. Includes specialty pizzas, appetizers, salads, desserts, and beverages.
2. Takeout and Delivery: Online ordering system for pizza pickup and delivery at select locations. Customers can order through website or mobile app.
3. Catering Services: Catering orders for events of various sizes, including the Mobile Oven Party Experience where the oven is brought to customer locations. Provides buffet-style service with assorted pizzas, salads, and beverages.
4. Pepe's Rewards Program: Loyalty program where members earn 1 reward point per dollar spent. After accumulating 75 points, a $5 reward is automatically added to their account.
5. Gift Cards: Sale of physical and eGift cards with denominations between $25-$200. Cards are reloadable and can be redeemed for food and beverages at any location.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Frank Pepe's Development Company operates Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, a family-owned chain of 17 coal-fired pizzeria restaurants across 7 US states serving authentic New Haven-style apizza. The core product is pizza baked in custom 14x14 foot coal-fired brick ovens using a proprietary wetter, longer-fermenting dough recipe. The business also offers salads, Italian desserts, Foxon Park sodas, family meal value bundles, catering services including a Mobile Oven Party Experience, private party hosting at The Spot venues, the Pepe's Rewards loyalty program, gift cards, and branded merchandise.

Product overview

Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana operates a chain of 17 coal-fired pizzeria restaurants across 7 U.S. states. The core product is New Haven-style apizza, featuring coal-fired brick oven baking that produces a signature crispy, charred crust. The menu is centered on specialty pizza varieties (including the famous White Clam Pizza, Original Tomato Pie, and Margherita) with customizable Build Your Own options. Complementary offerings include Value Bundles, Salads, Foxon Park Sodas, and Italian Desserts. The business extends beyond dining through a loyalty rewards program (Pepe's Rewards), catering services with mobile oven experiences, private party hosting at designated locations, gift cards (physical and digital), and a branded merchandise store. All pizza preparation utilizes custom-built coal-fired brick ovens (14x14 feet, 100,000 pounds) with a proprietary wetter, longer-fermenting dough recipe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Coal-Fired New Haven-Style Pizza Authentic New Haven-style coal-fired pizza baked in custom 14x14 foot, 100,000-pound brick ovens at approximately 600 degrees, featuring a proprietary wetter, longer-fermenting dough that produces a crispy, charred, chewy crust. Includes specialty pies (White Clam Pizza, Margherita, Original Tomato Pie), build-your-own options with hand-selected toppings, and premium ingredients such as tomatoes from Mount Vesuvius foothills, clams from Long Island Sound, and imported Sardinian pecorino Romano. Targeted at individual consumers, families, and walk-in diners seeking traditional New Haven apizza.
• Family Meal Value Bundles Online-exclusive bundle deals combining pizzas, salads, and sides for value pricing, including Family Meal for 4 (Large Family-Style Cheese Pizza and Large Salad) at $38.99, Family Meal Deal (Medium Pepperoni, Small Cheese Pizza, and Large Salad) at $52.99, and Perfect Pair (Medium Cheese Pizza and Small Salad) at $28.49. Targeted at families and small groups ordering online for takeout or delivery.
• Salads and Sides Fresh salad offerings including Pepe's Italian Salad, Caesar Salad, and roasted chicken variations priced from $8.00 to $11.00, plus Side of Anchovies imported from Italy at $5.00. Targeted at dine-in and takeout customers seeking lighter accompaniments to pizza.
• Foxon Park Sodas Selection of Foxon Park brand sodas priced at $3.75 each, including Kola, Diet Kola, Orange, White Birch Beer, Root Beer, Cream Soda, Ginger Ale, Gassosa, Cherry, Lemon-Lime, and Grape. Targeted at dine-in and takeout customers seeking traditional New England soda pairings with pizza.
• Italian Desserts

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 100 years in business with continued growth
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pepespizzeria
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@frankpepepizzeria
• Facebookfacebook.com/FrankPepePizzeria
• Instagraminstagram.com/frankpepepizza
• TikToktiktok.com/@frankpepepizzeria
• Pinterestpinterest.com/pepespizza
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/frank-pepe-pizzeria-napoletana

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Frank Pepe's Development