Gumby’s Pizza: Difference between revisions

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Add the chain's 1997 website from the research recorded in the database
Add the chain's 1997 website from the research recorded in the database
 
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==History==
==History==
The chain was started in Gainesville in October 1985 by three University of Florida fraternity brothers, one of them nicknamed "Gumby" for his green pants. By January 1992 it had 16 restaurants, all in college towns; Madison was its fifth in the Big Ten<ref name="ct-1992-01-18-p27" />. The chain's own website in 1997 named the founders as Jeff O'Brien and Chance Hippler, said that by 1996 it had 25 corporate stores and two franchises "from Florida to Wisconsin and Arizona to Pennsylvania", and listed Madison among 23 cities on its store finder; dough and sauce were made from scratch in every store<ref name="web-gumbyspizza-1997-05-21">[http://www.gumbyspizza.com/ "Gumbys Pizza home page (snapshot of May 21, 1997)."] ''gumbyspizza.com''. Retrieved October 23, 2026.</ref>.
The chain was started in Gainesville in October 1985 by three University of Florida fraternity brothers, one of them nicknamed "Gumby" for his green pants. By January 1992 it had 16 restaurants, all in college towns; Madison was its fifth in the Big Ten<ref name="ct-1992-01-18-p27" />. The chain's own website in 1997 named the founders as Jeff O'Brien and Chance Hippler, said that by 1996 it had 25 corporate stores and two franchises "from Florida to Wisconsin and Arizona to Pennsylvania", and listed Madison among 23 cities on its store finder; dough and sauce were made from scratch in every store<ref name="web-gumbyspizza-1997-05-21">[http://www.gumbyspizza.com/ "Gumbys Pizza home page (snapshot of May 21, 1997)."] ''gumbyspizza.com''. Internet Archive capture of May 21, 1997: [https://web.archive.org/web/19970521044117/http://www.gumbyspizza.com/ archived copy]. Retrieved October 23, 2026.</ref>.


The Madison store opened at [[2433 University Avenue|2433 University Ave.]] Three months later its general manager, who had come from Florida, said "It's really caught on in the dorms" and expected to need a second store within a year<ref name="ct-1992-01-18-p27" />. The 1995 student guide listed it at 238-9494 for its "thick, hand-tossed crust", carryout and delivery<ref name="wsj-1995-08-16-p59">(1995, August 16). "Student dining guide 1995: Pizza." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 59. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/404412582/ 404412582], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522634426/ 522634426].</ref>. A second store, at [[310 South Brearly Street|310 S. Brearly St.]], was open by August 1996<ref name="wsj-1996-08-18-p83">(1996, August 18). Gumby's help-wanted advertisement, 2433 University Ave. and 310 S. Brearly. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 83. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405452215/ 405452215].</ref>.
The Madison store opened at [[2433 University Avenue|2433 University Ave.]] Three months later its general manager, who had come from Florida, said "It's really caught on in the dorms" and expected to need a second store within a year<ref name="ct-1992-01-18-p27" />. The 1995 student guide listed it at 238-9494 for its "thick, hand-tossed crust", carryout and delivery<ref name="wsj-1995-08-16-p59">(1995, August 16). "Student dining guide 1995: Pizza." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 59. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/404412582/ 404412582], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522634426/ 522634426].</ref>. A second store, at [[310 South Brearly Street|310 S. Brearly St.]], was open by August 1996<ref name="wsj-1996-08-18-p83">(1996, August 18). Gumby's help-wanted advertisement, 2433 University Ave. and 310 S. Brearly. ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 83. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/405452215/ 405452215].</ref>.


By March 1997 the University Avenue store had moved four blocks west<ref name="ct-1997-03-01-p38">Kalk, S. (1997, March 1). Planet Pizza opens at 2433 University Ave.; Gumby's moves four blocks west. ''The Capital Times''. p. 38. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/519932637/ 519932637].</ref>, to [[2825 University Avenue|2825 University Ave.]], behind an IHOP. The Brearly Street store was robbed on November 12, 2000<ref name="ct-2000-11-13-p3">Elbow, S. (2000, November 13). "Police report: Gumby's robbed." ''The Capital Times''. p. 3. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522190234/ 522190234].</ref>, and closed some time between then and early 2004<ref name="ct-2004-02-10-p22">(2004, February 10). City of Madison licence notices, February 2004. ''The Capital Times''. p. 22.</ref>. An armed robbery attempt at the University Avenue store at 4:30 a.m. on February 8, 2002, failed when the safe would not open<ref name="ct-2002-02-08-p3">(2002, February 8). "Gumby's robbery try." ''The Capital Times''. p. 3. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/526003047/ 526003047].</ref>; a driver was robbed by three men on East Dayton Street in July 2003<ref name="ct-2003-07-17-p3">Elbow, S. (2003, July 17). "Police report: pizza robbery." ''The Capital Times''. p. 3. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/525967234/ 525967234].</ref>.
By March 1997 the University Avenue store had moved four blocks west<ref name="ct-1997-03-01-p38">Kalk, S. (1997, March 1). Planet Pizza opens at 2433 University Ave.; Gumby's moves four blocks west. ''The Capital Times''. p. 38. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/519932637/ 519932637].</ref>, to [[2825 University Avenue|2825 University Ave.]], behind an IHOP. The Brearly Street store was robbed on November 12, 2000<ref name="ct-2000-11-13-p3">Elbow, S. (2000, November 13). "Police report: Gumby's robbed." ''The Capital Times''. p. 3. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522190234/ 522190234].</ref>, and closed some time between then and early 2004<ref name="ct-2004-02-10-p22">(2004, February 10). City of Madison license notices, February 2004. ''The Capital Times''. p. 22.</ref>. An armed robbery attempt at the University Avenue store at 4:30 a.m. on February 8, 2002, failed when the safe would not open<ref name="ct-2002-02-08-p3">(2002, February 8). "Gumby's robbery try." ''The Capital Times''. p. 3. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/526003047/ 526003047].</ref>; a driver was robbed by three men on East Dayton Street in July 2003<ref name="ct-2003-07-17-p3">Elbow, S. (2003, July 17). "Police report: pizza robbery." ''The Capital Times''. p. 3. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/525967234/ 525967234].</ref>.


The University Avenue store closed in 2014<ref name="ct-2016-04-20-p32">Rice, G. (2016, April 20). [https://madison.com/article_ee2068d2-96c0-5aff-9b0c-32cf2b92fd4f.html "Let's Eat: Get stuffed with Chicago-style deep dish at Itzza Pizza."] ''The Capital Times''. p. 32. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/520616702/ 520616702].</ref>. [[Itzza Pizza]] had taken its place by the end of June that year<ref name="edm-2014-06-29-itzza">(2014, June 29). [https://www.eatdrinkmadison.com/blog/?p=1934 "Itzza Pizza."] ''EatDrinkMadison.com''.</ref>. Gumby's came back to the same address after Itzza, and closed again in 2018<ref name="mc-2019-01-01-freakys" />.
The University Avenue store closed in 2014<ref name="ct-2016-04-20-p32">Rice, G. (2016, April 20). [https://madison.com/article_ee2068d2-96c0-5aff-9b0c-32cf2b92fd4f.html "Let's Eat: Get stuffed with Chicago-style deep dish at Itzza Pizza."] ''The Capital Times''. p. 32. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/520616702/ 520616702].</ref>. [[Itzza Pizza]] had taken its place by the end of June that year<ref name="edm-2014-06-29-itzza">(2014, June 29). [https://www.eatdrinkmadison.com/blog/?p=1934 "Itzza Pizza."] ''EatDrinkMadison.com''.</ref>. Gumby's came back to the same address after Itzza, and closed again in 2018<ref name="mc-2019-01-01-freakys" />.
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* In 1992 the store delivered between the Yahara River and Midvale Boulevard, and from Lake Mendota to Mineral Point Road<ref name="ct-1992-01-18-p27" />.
* In 1992 the store delivered between the Yahara River and Midvale Boulevard, and from Lake Mendota to Mineral Point Road<ref name="ct-1992-01-18-p27" />.
* The owner of [[Freaky’s Pizza]], which followed Gumby's at 2825 University Ave., had worked at two earlier pizza places in the same space<ref name="mc-2019-01-01-freakys" />.
* The owner of [[Freaky’s Pizza]], which followed Gumby's at 2825 University Ave., had worked at two earlier pizza places in the same space<ref name="mc-2019-01-01-freakys" />.
* A directory lists a "Gumby's Pizza & Wings Delivery Hotline" at 449 State St., with one review from March 2012<ref name="yelp-gumbys-449-state">[https://www.yelp.com/biz/gumbys-pizza-and-wings-delivery-hotline-madison Yelp listing: Gumby's Pizza & Wings Delivery Hotline, 449 State St.] ''Yelp''. Retrieved September 28, 2026.</ref>. It has not been found in the newspapers.
* A directory lists a "Gumby's Pizza & Wings Delivery Hotline" at 449 State St., with one review from March 2012<ref name="yelp-gumbys-449-state">[https://www.yelp.com/biz/gumbys-pizza-and-wings-delivery-hotline-madison Yelp listing: Gumby's Pizza & Wings Delivery Hotline, 449 State St.] ''Yelp''. Retrieved September 28, 2026.</ref>. It has not been found in the newspapers. [[Jeff & Jim’s Pizza]] had been at that address in 2006–07<ref name="bh-2006-11-07-p4">Heidmann, B. L. (2006, November 7). [https://badgerlink.newsmemory.com/wna/badgerlink/ "Jeff & Jim's owners ready for competitive State Street pizza-by-the-box market."] ''The Badger Herald''. p. 4.</ref>.


==Former Locations==
==Former Locations==

Latest revision as of 16:37, 28 October 2026

Gumby’s Pizza is a pizza delivery chain from Gainesville, Florida, with stores in college towns. It came to Madison in October 1991[1] and had two stores here in the late 1990s. Its last Madison store closed in 2018[2].

History

The chain was started in Gainesville in October 1985 by three University of Florida fraternity brothers, one of them nicknamed "Gumby" for his green pants. By January 1992 it had 16 restaurants, all in college towns; Madison was its fifth in the Big Ten[1]. The chain's own website in 1997 named the founders as Jeff O'Brien and Chance Hippler, said that by 1996 it had 25 corporate stores and two franchises "from Florida to Wisconsin and Arizona to Pennsylvania", and listed Madison among 23 cities on its store finder; dough and sauce were made from scratch in every store[3].

The Madison store opened at 2433 University Ave. Three months later its general manager, who had come from Florida, said "It's really caught on in the dorms" and expected to need a second store within a year[1]. The 1995 student guide listed it at 238-9494 for its "thick, hand-tossed crust", carryout and delivery[4]. A second store, at 310 S. Brearly St., was open by August 1996[5].

By March 1997 the University Avenue store had moved four blocks west[6], to 2825 University Ave., behind an IHOP. The Brearly Street store was robbed on November 12, 2000[7], and closed some time between then and early 2004[8]. An armed robbery attempt at the University Avenue store at 4:30 a.m. on February 8, 2002, failed when the safe would not open[9]; a driver was robbed by three men on East Dayton Street in July 2003[10].

The University Avenue store closed in 2014[11]. Itzza Pizza had taken its place by the end of June that year[12]. Gumby's came back to the same address after Itzza, and closed again in 2018[2].

Pizza

  • The 1992 menu: the Gumby Solo, a 12-inch pizza with one topping ($4.25); Pokey's Revenge, a 16-inch with two ($6.99); Gumby's Challenge, a 20-inch with as many toppings as wanted ($11.99), "probably Madison's only 20-inch pizza"; and the Badger Blow Out, five 16-inch one-topping pizzas for $25[1].
  • The crust was hand-tossed and thicker than most regular crusts, "with a crisp and bubbly surface"[1].
  • In September 1994 Jay Rath wrote that "since 1991 your favorite bendy-doll has rivaled Supreme Pizza in the exotic topping department" — pineapple and broccoli among the toppings — and called the pan pizza "more of a New York-style, with rounder, flatter edges; chewy crust, with a bubbly surface" and the sauce "zesty". It was open until 2 a.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 3:30 a.m. Thursday to Saturday[13], and was one of two pizzerias in the State Journal's dining guide that August[14].
  • The 1995 Yellow Pages ad: "wholewheat crust & extra sauce always free", Buffalo wings and Pokey Stix, delivery until 2 a.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 3:30 a.m. Thursday to Saturday[15].
  • Pokey Stix, and the "Stick-it-to-me Tuesdays" special, were remembered by a writer in 2014[12].

Trivia

  • The chain is licensed to use the cartoon characters Gumby and Pokey[1].
  • In 1992 the store delivered between the Yahara River and Midvale Boulevard, and from Lake Mendota to Mineral Point Road[1].
  • The owner of Freaky’s Pizza, which followed Gumby's at 2825 University Ave., had worked at two earlier pizza places in the same space[2].
  • A directory lists a "Gumby's Pizza & Wings Delivery Hotline" at 449 State St., with one review from March 2012[16]. It has not been found in the newspapers. Jeff & Jim’s Pizza had been at that address in 2006–07[17].

Former Locations

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Rath, J. (1992, January 18). "Students love Gumby's." The Capital Times. p. 27. Newspapers.com image 521267260.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Thomas, R. (2019, January 1). "Let's Eat: Get your freak on at horror-themed Freaky's Pizza and Wings." madison.com.
  3. ↑ "Gumbys Pizza home page (snapshot of May 21, 1997)." gumbyspizza.com. Internet Archive capture of May 21, 1997: archived copy. Retrieved October 23, 2026.
  4. ↑ (1995, August 16). "Student dining guide 1995: Pizza." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 59. Newspapers.com images 404412582, 522634426.
  5. ↑ (1996, August 18). Gumby's help-wanted advertisement, 2433 University Ave. and 310 S. Brearly. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 83. Newspapers.com image 405452215.
  6. ↑ Kalk, S. (1997, March 1). Planet Pizza opens at 2433 University Ave.; Gumby's moves four blocks west. The Capital Times. p. 38. Newspapers.com image 519932637.
  7. ↑ Elbow, S. (2000, November 13). "Police report: Gumby's robbed." The Capital Times. p. 3. Newspapers.com image 522190234.
  8. ↑ (2004, February 10). City of Madison license notices, February 2004. The Capital Times. p. 22.
  9. ↑ (2002, February 8). "Gumby's robbery try." The Capital Times. p. 3. Newspapers.com image 526003047.
  10. ↑ Elbow, S. (2003, July 17). "Police report: pizza robbery." The Capital Times. p. 3. Newspapers.com image 525967234.
  11. ↑ Rice, G. (2016, April 20). "Let's Eat: Get stuffed with Chicago-style deep dish at Itzza Pizza." The Capital Times. p. 32. Newspapers.com image 520616702.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 (2014, June 29). "Itzza Pizza." EatDrinkMadison.com.
  13. ↑ Rath, J. (1994, September 3). "Pizza choices as varied as toppings." The Capital Times. p. 42. Newspapers.com image 521480603.
  14. ↑ (1994, August 17). Answer Book: Where to eat in Madison. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 86. Newspapers.com image 406002404.
  15. ↑ (1995). Ameritech PagesPlus Yellow Pages, Madison, 1995 edition, 'Pizza' classification, p. 641: display ads — Gumby's Pizza, 2433 University Av. (fast free delivery Sun–Wed 11–2 a.m., Thu–Sat 11–3:30 a.m.; wholewheat crust and e…. Madison telephone directory. p. 641.
  16. ↑ Yelp listing: Gumby's Pizza & Wings Delivery Hotline, 449 State St. Yelp. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
  17. ↑ Heidmann, B. L. (2006, November 7). "Jeff & Jim's owners ready for competitive State Street pizza-by-the-box market." The Badger Herald. p. 4.
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