What Ciro's Pizza Cafe does

Ciro's Pizza Cafe is a privately held, independent pizza restaurant operator founded circa 1988 and headquartered in Folsom, California. The company runs two dine-in and takeout locations — Folsom (1300 East Bidwell St., Suite 120) and Citrus Heights (7521 Old Auburn Rd) — and serves the greater Sacramento metropolitan area through a combination of dine-in, walk-up window service, pizza by the slice, curbside pickup, no-contact delivery, catering, and a structured in-store fundraising program. The Folsom store has constrained seating (3 indoor tables, 4 outdoor tables) and is positioned more toward takeout and slice traffic, while the Citrus Heights location offers a larger dining room, patio, and a craft beer bottle shop with 100+ selections.

The core product portfolio centers on artisan-style pizza built on a daily, in-store prepared hand-tossed dough, baked in stone hearth ovens at 550 degrees, with an award-winning California Style crust. The menu includes a Create-Your-Own program (six sizes from 11" small to 24" party, four crust options including a cauliflower gluten-free variant, nine sauces, 20+ toppings), 18+ specialty "Award Winning" pizzas, artisan flatbreads, calzones, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and desserts. Supporting products include full-service catering (Motherload, Sweet Tooth, Fog City, and Satisfaction packages at $14-$16 per person with 12-person minimums) and a fundraising program that donates 20% of pre-tax sales to schools, booster clubs, church groups, and nonprofits on Mondays and Wednesdays.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer retail model with no franchising, no enterprise sales motion, and no disclosed institutional ownership or external funding. Revenue is generated entirely through per-transaction food and beverage sales. Online ordering is routed through third-party platforms ChowNow (Folsom) and ToastTab (Citrus Heights), with delivery extending to Citrus Heights, Folsom, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, El Dorado Hills, and parts of Roseville, Rancho Cordova, Gold River, and Carmichael. The company employs approximately 18 people and has cultivated a community-based marketing approach anchored by long-running partnerships with local nonprofits and arts district initiatives rather than paid digital acquisition.

Name

Ciro's Pizza Cafe

Legal name

Ciro's Pizza Cafe

Website

https://cirospizza.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ciro's Pizza Cafe is an independent, family-owned pizza restaurant operating two locations in Folsom and Citrus Heights, California. It serves the Sacramento-area community with hand-tossed, stone-hearth-oven-baked artisan pizzas, catering, delivery, and a community fundraising program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pizza Restaurant

NAICS

Restaurants and Other Eating Places (72251), Full-Service Restaurants (722511), Caterers (72232), Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing (3118)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Retail-Eating Places (5812)

akta.pro primary industry

Pizza Fast Casual (THAFABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pizza QSR (THAFAAAB), Pizza, Wings & Oven-Baked Prepared Foods (In-Store Concepts) (CRAHAKAE)

Keywords

• Artisan pizza restaurant
• Hand-tossed pizza
• Pizza catering services
• Pizza delivery
• Stone hearth oven pizza

Headquarters

HQ city

Folsom

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Dine-In Sales: Traditional restaurant dining with dine-in service at two California locations (Folsom and Citrus Heights). Folsom has limited seating (3 inside tables, 4 outside tables); Citrus Heights has a large dining room and patio.
2. Online Ordering and Takeout: Direct online ordering through their website via ChowNow (Folsom/El Dorado Hills) and ToastTab (Citrus Heights/Roseville). Customers can order full pizzas, menu items for takeout.
3. Delivery: No-contact delivery to homes and offices. Delivery fee starts at $5.99, minimum order $20.00. Serves Citrus Heights, Folsom, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, El Dorado Hills, parts of Roseville, Rancho Cordova, Gold River, and Carmichael.
4. Catering: Full-service catering with on-time delivery and setup. Packages include Motherload ($16.00/person), Sweet Tooth ($15.25/person), Fog City ($14.00/person), and Satisfaction. All require 12 person minimum. Has delivered for 35+ years.
5. Fundraising Events: In-store fundraiser program where 20% of qualified sales (pre-tax) are donated back to participating organizations. Limited to two times per year per restaurant. Available Mondays and Wednesdays.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Ciro's Pizza Cafe operates two California-style pizza restaurants in Folsom and Citrus Heights, selling hand-tossed artisan pizzas baked in stone hearth ovens at 550 degrees, with dough made fresh in-store daily and locally sourced ingredients. The company offers dine-in, takeout, delivery, full-service catering, pizza by the slice, and a community fundraising program.

Product overview

Ciro's Pizza Cafe is a California-style pizza restaurant operating two locations in Folsom and Citrus Heights, California. The core product portfolio centers on hand-tossed, stone-hearth-oven-baked pizzas, offered as pre-designed Award Winning specialty pizzas (18+ varieties) and a Create Your Own build-your-own option. Supporting offerings include Artisan Flatbreads, Pizza By The Slice (Folsom and Citrus Heights), Calzones, Sandwiches, Salads, Appetizers, Beverages (including a craft beer bottle shop), and Desserts. Add-on services include full-service Catering with three packaged tiers, a Fundraising Program donating 20% of sales to community organizations, and No-Contact Delivery and Curbside Pick Up. The company has been operating for over 36 years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Create Your Own Pizza Build-your-own pizza with six sizes (11" Small through 24" Party), four crust options including Original California Style, Extra Thick, Neapolitan Thin, Super Thin, and Cauliflower Gluten-Free, nine sauce choices, and 20+ toppings, available in half-and-half configurations. Sold to individual consumers, families, and catering customers.
• Award Winning Pizzas Pre-designed specialty pizzas including Mountain Top (most popular), Trader Sam's, Crow's Nest, Gold Rush, Stromboli, Babalou, Bahama Mama, Buffalo Stampede, Tuscan, and 12+ other varieties, available in sizes from 11" Small to 24" Party. Sold to consumers and catering customers.
• Artisan Flatbreads Super thin, crispy crust flatbreads made to order at $12.99 each, including Rustic Italian Margherita, Garlic Chicken, Fiery Hawaiian Bacon, and Create Your Own. Sold to individual consumers and catering customers.
• Pizza By The Slice Individual pizza slices sold at the Folsom (11 am - 8 pm) and Citrus Heights (11 am - 5 pm) locations via walk-up window and dine-in, with cheese slices starting at $4.99 and two-topping slices starting at $5.99. Targeted at walk-in individual consumers.
• Catering Full-service catering for business meetings, luncheons, and large parties with on-time delivery and setup. Three pre-set packages (Motherload at $16/person, Sweet Tooth at $15.25/person, Fog City at $14/person) plus a Satisfaction package, all including assorted Award-Winning pizzas, garden salad, beverages, and paper goods; 12-person minimum. Gluten-free cauliflower crust available for an extra charge. Targeted at business and event customers in the Sacramento area.
• Appetizers, Calzones, and Sandwiches Starter menu items including Mozzarella Sticks, Goofy Stix, Pepperoni Bites, Pesto Chips, Ranch Strips, Buffalo Wings in 5/10/15/20-piece sizes, Calzones (Classic, Vegetarian, Garlic Chicken, Pesto Veggie, Create Your Own) at $12.99 each, and turnover-style Sandwiches (Smoked Ham and Cheese, Italian Salami and Cheese, Ciro's BLT, Roasted Chicken) at $11.99 each, made from scratch fresh to order. Sold to individual consumers for dine-in, takeout, and delivery.
• Salads Salad offerings including Tossed Green, Ciro's Chef Salad, Ciro's Caesar, Roasted Chicken Caesar, Spinach Salad, and Antipasto Salad in Small ($7.99-$9.99), Large ($9.99-$13.99), and Party ($20.99-$29.99, serves 6-8) sizes. Sold to individual consumers and catering customers.
• Beverages Beverage program including craft beer on draft at both locations, bottled soda (Coke, Diet Coke, Dr. Pepper, 7 Up, Root Beer), and wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, White Zinfandel, Pinot Grigio). The Citrus Heights location features a bottle shop with 100+ craft beer bottles. Sold to individual consumers for dine-in and takeout.
• Desserts Dessert menu featuring Mini Blue Ribbon Cinnamon Rolls ($8.99 for half dozen) and Fresh Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies sold individually ($1.25), by the half dozen ($6.99), or by the dozen ($12.99). Sold to individual consumers for dine-in, takeout, and delivery.
• Fundraising Program In-store fundraiser program for community organizations including schools, sports teams, booster clubs, church groups, and non-profits, where 20% of qualified pre-tax sales are donated back to the organization. Fundraisers hosted on Mondays and Wednesdays; organizations limited to two events per year per restaurant. Targeted at community organizations in the Sacramento area.
• No-Contact Delivery & Curbside Pick Up No-contact home and office delivery covering Citrus Heights, Folsom, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, El Dorado Hills, parts of Roseville, Rancho Cordova, Gold River, and Carmichael, with a $5.99 starting delivery fee and $20 minimum order. Touchless curbside pickup is available at both locations. Sold to individual consumers.

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Children's Receiving Home of SacramentominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 September 2025Community fundraiser beneficiary for Talk Like a Pirate Day event. Part of multi-business event including Ciro's Pizza Cafe, DarkHeart Brewing, Bearpaw Outlet, Mr. Pickle's Sandwich Shop, Rock Hard Burgers and Brew, and Los Nogales.
• Mr. Pickle's Sandwich ShopminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 September 2025Co-participant in Talk Like a Pirate Day community fundraiser benefiting Children's Receiving Home of Sacramento.
• Rock Hard Burgers and BrewminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 September 2025Co-participant in Talk Like a Pirate Day community fundraiser benefiting Children's Receiving Home of Sacramento.
• DarkHeart BrewingminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 August 2025Community event partnership for Parking Lot/Patio Party. Joint event featuring live music, great food, and craft beer. DarkHeart Brewing provided craft beer while Ciro's provided pizza. Part of CH 40 Arts District initiative.
• CH 40 Arts DistrictminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 August 2025Arts district initiative collaboration for Parking Lot/Patio Party event. Featured local artists behind CH 40 murals. Event included live music, food, and craft beer.
• Murer House FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 May 2024Community event partnership for ITALY on WHEELS Italian Car & Bike Show held at Murer House & Gardens in Folsom. Ciro's provided pizza by the slice at the free admission community event featuring Italian cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Pizza Hut: National pizza QSR incumbent with dine-in, carryout, and delivery in the Sacramento market. Comparable as a broad pizza competitor with overlapping dine-in/delivery channels, though positioned at lower price points and broader mass-market appeal than Ciro's artisan approach.
• California Pizza Kitchen: National casual-dining chain built on California-style pizza with non-traditional toppings and an artisan-leaning menu. Comparable on the California Style pizza positioning and full-service dine-in format, though at larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• Domino's: Largest U.S. pizza delivery chain with strong digital ordering and aggressive delivery infrastructure across Sacramento. Comparable on online ordering, delivery, and party-order occasions, though competing primarily on speed and price rather than artisan preparation.

Emerging players

• MOD Pizza: Fast-casual build-your-own pizza chain with locations across the Western U.S. including California. Comparable on the create-your-own pizza format, artisan-style toppings, and fast-casual dine-in service model targeting similar customer occasions.
• Blaze Pizza: Fast-casual build-your-own pizza concept with multiple California locations, oven-baked artisan-style crusts, and a modern ordering experience. Comparable on the fast-casual artisan pizza positioning and customizable menu, though operating at significantly larger scale.
• Pieology: Fast-casual personalized pizza chain founded in California with Sacramento-area presence. Comparable on the build-your-own artisan pizza model, fast-casual dine-in service, and California-originated brand identity targeting similar customer demographics.

Direct peers

• Mountain Mike's Pizza: California-based family-oriented pizza chain with dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering across Northern California including the Sacramento region. Comparable on hand-tossed pizza focus, casual dine-in format, and family/community catering programs.
• Papa Murphy's: Take-and-bake pizza chain headquartered in the Pacific Northwest with strong Sacramento-area locations, competing for the same pizza night occasion via pickup/curbside. Comparable on fresh-dough preparation, takeout-led model, and price-point-driven positioning.
• Round Table Pizza: California-headquartered pizza chain with deep Sacramento-area presence, offering dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering of hand-tossed specialty pizzas. Closely comparable on product (pizza-led menu, family/party sizing), distribution channels, and California-style positioning.

Regional players

• Extreme Pizza: West Coast-based pizza chain with dine-in, delivery, and catering across California and neighboring states. Comparable on hand-tossed artisan-style pizza, community/catering programs, and casual restaurant format serving similar California family and group occasions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cirospizzacafe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ciro's-pizza-cafe

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Ciro's Pizza Cafe