Mary's Pizza Shack to Launch New Company
-- Foodservice Equipment & Supplies, 6/26/2009 9:48:00 AM
PRESS RELEASE - June 22, 2009 – Mary Fazio opened her first Shack fifty years ago, with just $700 and the pots and pans from her home kitchen. Today, the company she founded has grown to include 18 Pizza Shacks throughout Northern California, and as they celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the
company, Mary’s grandchildren are starting a new chapter in the company’s story.
Later this year, Mary’s Pizza Shack will launch a new company under the leadership of Cully Williamson, Mary Fazio’s grandson-in-law. Williamson will lead the development of a new fast-casual restaurant concept. The new concept will offer a fresh menu of contemporary Italian cuisine, with many of the items prepared in a central brick oven, including roasted chicken and other meats, and a new take on the company’s signature pizzas.
Inspired by the recipes that Mary made famous, the new restaurant will continue the traditions of dishes made fresh to order, with sauces, pizza dough, salad dressings and focaccia made from scratch. “This project has been in development over the past year or so, and I’m excited to be able to focus on it full-time. It’s really a concept that the family has worked together on, and I’m looking forward to transforming our vision into
reality” says Williamson of the new project. Williamson previously served as CEO of Mary’s Pizza Shack, and has been part of the company for 28 years. He will continue to serve on the Board of Directors for Mary’s Pizza Shack, and will have significant ownership in the new corporation.
Similarly, Mary’s Pizza Shack will retain majority ownership of the new corporation, allowing the new concept to grow independently, but still maintain strong ties to the family. Mary’s grandson, Vince Albano, has been selected by the Board of Directors to replace Williamson as CEO of Mary’s Pizza Shack, effective June 5,
2009. Albano has been entrusted to carry out the legacy left to him by his grandmother, and under his leadership, Mary’s will continue to offer the homemade Italian food and genuine hospitality that she believed in. Albano grew up in the company, starting his career by retrieving silverware that fell through the slats in the porch for his Nonny. Since then he has touched every aspect of the business, helping ensure that Mary’s vision is
carried out, even as the company has grown beyond her original expectations. “I’m truly honored to take on this role in the company,” said Albano. “Mary’s is a family company in every sense, and we have a great team in place. We’re excited about the next fifty years.”
Albano’s expertise in Operations and Marketing, combined with his lifelong understanding of the company, will position Mary’s for another fifty years of success.
With these organizational changes, both Mary’s Pizza Shack and the new corporation will be poised for another fifty years of success – a true testament to the legacy of Mary Fazio.
About Mary’s Pizza Shack
Founded in 1959 by Mary Fazio, Mary’s Pizza Shack now has 18 locations in Northern California and is famous for its homemade Italian food, fun atmosphere, and reasonable prices. Currently owned and operated by the third generation of Mary Fazio’s family, Mary’s Pizza Shack still offers the same homemade
meatballs, pasta sauces, pizzas, soups and salad dressings that Mary made famous. From the original “Shack” in Boyes Hot Springs, Mary’s Pizza Shack has now grown to include locations in Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Solano, Contra Costa, Shasta and Placer counties. For more information and a complete list of locations,
please visit maryspizzashack.com.
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