Pizza Pit (Q465) : Difference between revisions

Market Memo: Pizza Pit Ltd. forms Pizza Pit Investment Enterprises (CT, 1 Apr 1983, p. 10)

Pizza Pit was founded in Madison in 1969 and operates nine delivery stores and restaurants here.

Pizza Pit files for Chapter 11 but will keep on rolling (WSJ, 6 Aug 1999, p. 1)

Pizza Pit, "About Us" (pizzapit.biz, 28 Sep 2026)

locality

Madison

1 reference

Market Memo: Pizza Pit Ltd. forms Pizza Pit Investment Enterprises (CT, 1 Apr 1983, p. 10)

founded by

Terry Voice

1 reference

Sal's listed for sale; Glass Nickel expands to west side (WSJ, 26 Aug 1999, p. 61)

a once-lucrative pie that Voice started in 1969, creating a delivery market where there was none

official website

https://pizzapit.biz/

1 reference

Pizza Pit home page and location list (pizzapit.biz, 28 Sep 2026)

pizza style

thin crust

2 references

Recollections of Andy Pohl (recollection, 28 Sep 2026)

Itzza Pizza (EatDrinkMadison, 29 Jun 2014)

about Pizza Pit-thin

October 2024

1 reference

Pizza Pit nabs four Madison.com People's Choice awards (madison.com, 14 Oct 2024)

Pit Stix

October 2024

1 reference

Pizza Pit nabs four Madison.com People's Choice awards (madison.com, 14 Oct 2024)

Sausage Mushroom Melt

September 2026

1 reference

Pizza Pit Stoughton menu (pizzapit.biz, 28 Sep 2026)

Pizza Pit Light Pizza

1 reference

Pizza choices as varied as toppings (CT, 3 Sep 1994, p. 42)

Pizza Pit Light Pizza

1 reference

Ameritech PagesPlus Yellow Pages, Madison, 1995 edition, 'Pizza' classification, p. 637: Pizza Pit full-page ad — 'Free, fast & hot delivery (limited delivery areas)', featuring Pizza Twins (two pizzas, one price), Extra … (phone book, 1995, p. 637)

October 2024

1 reference

Pizza Pit nabs four Madison.com People's Choice awards (madison.com, 14 Oct 2024)

said the company's president Robby Bisbee

June 1983

1 reference

Business people: managers named for two new Pizza Pit stores in Green Bay (WSJ, 12 Jun 1983, p. 61)

June 1983

1 reference

Business people: managers named for two new Pizza Pit stores in Green Bay (WSJ, 12 Jun 1983, p. 61)

1970

1 reference

3 Pizza Pit stores to reopen (WSJ, 29 Jan 2000, p. 39)

Warren, who joined Pizza Pit as a driver in 1970

1979

1991

2 references

Extreme foresight for local pizza chain (WSJ, 27 Sep 2009, p. 52)

'Extreme' tastes familiar (CT, 26 Oct 1991, p. 28)

Jim and I both worked for Pizza Pit

1991

2 references

Stein, William L. (CT, 29 Sep 1992, p. 28)

'Extreme' tastes familiar (CT, 26 Oct 1991, p. 28)

January 2001

1 reference

Pizza from the Pit is a hit on ice (CT, 10 Jan 2001, p. 2)

significant event

start of franchising

April 1983

2 references

Market Memo: Pizza Pit Ltd. forms Pizza Pit Investment Enterprises (CT, 1 Apr 1983, p. 10)

Market Memo: Pizza Pit franchise subsidiary and 1983 expansion plans (CT, 12 Apr 1983, p. 8)

June 1983

1 reference

Business people: managers named for two new Pizza Pit stores in Green Bay (WSJ, 12 Jun 1983, p. 61)

Collapse and sale of Pizza Pit Ltd. (1999–2000)

Vincent Teske and Mark George have been named managers of two new Pizza Pit stores in Green Bay, the company's newest stores.

2 references

Pizza Pit can't deliver to M&I Bank (CT, 21 Jan 2000, p. 1, 4)

3 Pizza Pit stores to reopen (WSJ, 29 Jan 2000, p. 39)

Great Pizza Pit Treasure Hunt

0 references

9

April 1983

2 references

Market Memo: Pizza Pit Ltd. forms Pizza Pit Investment Enterprises (CT, 1 Apr 1983, p. 10)

Market Memo: Pizza Pit franchise subsidiary and 1983 expansion plans (CT, 12 Apr 1983, p. 8)

12

June 1983

1 reference

Business people: managers named for two new Pizza Pit stores in Green Bay (WSJ, 12 Jun 1983, p. 61)

Pizza Pit pursues recipe for survival (CT, 14 Jan 2000, p. 26)

Pizza Pit now has 12 stores in Iowa and Wisconsin.

10

July 1999

1 reference

Pizza Pit files for Chapter 11 but will keep on rolling (WSJ, 6 Aug 1999, p. 1)

Back in July, Pizza Pit had 10 corporate stores.

9

August 1999

2 references

Pizza Pit owner: We'll keep rolling (CT, 6 Aug 1999, p. 2)

30

August 1999

2 references

Pizza Pit files for Chapter 11 but will keep on rolling (WSJ, 6 Aug 1999, p. 1)

Pizza Pit owner: We'll keep rolling (CT, 6 Aug 1999, p. 2)

7

January 2000

2 references

Pizza Pit can't deliver to M&I Bank (CT, 21 Jan 2000, p. 1, 4)

Pizza Pit closes six stores (WSJ, 22 Jan 2000, p. 39)

29

January 2000

3 references

Pizza Pit pursues recipe for survival (CT, 14 Jan 2000, p. 26)

Pizza Pit can't deliver to M&I Bank (CT, 21 Jan 2000, p. 1, 4)

Pizza Pit closes six stores (WSJ, 22 Jan 2000, p. 39)

26

29 January 2000

1 reference

3 Pizza Pit stores to reopen (WSJ, 29 Jan 2000, p. 39)

Pizza Pit, "About Us" (pizzapit.biz, 28 Sep 2026)

All 26 Pizza Pit franchise stores have remained open during the time the corporate stores were closed

15

September 2026

1 reference

all 15 of our independently owned stores

7

1980

1 reference

Madison Yellow Pages, 1980 edition (Wisconsin Telephone Co.), 'Pizza' classification, p. 449: listings Pizza Oven (6016 Monona Dr. 222-8722; 1018 N. Sherman Ave. 244-0434), Pizza Pit (616 University Ave. 257-5825; Far Eas… (phone book, 1980, p. 449)

47

August 1998

1 reference

Pizzerias swallow hard when they say cheese: competition has delayed passing on higher costs (WSJ, 7 Aug 1998, p. 1)

Pizzerias (continued, 'Page 31') (CT, 29 Oct 1998, p. 114)

a Madison chain of 47 restaurants

21

October 1998

1 reference

21 Dane County locations

research note

In the 2010s and 2020s two separate businesses use the name: the franchise system (pizzapit.biz) and Jim Meyer's Pizza Pit/Pizza Extreme. When they separated is under research; the working date is early 2000.

0 references

People's Choice best pizza in 2024, 2025 and 2026; best chicken wings in 2026.

4 references

People's Choice 2024: Best Pizza (madison.com, 9 Sep 2024)

People's Choice 2025: Best Pizza (madison.com, 14 Sep 2025)

People's Choice 2026: Best Pizza (madison.com, 12 Sep 2026)

People's Choice 2026: Best Chicken Wings (madison.com, 12 Sep 2026)

A 2016 profile of Athens Gyros names Pizza Pit/Pizza Extreme as the gyro maker's largest client.

1 reference

Athens Gyros profile: the brand's largest client is Pizza Pit/Pizza Extreme (CT, 21 Sep 2016, p. 32)

Ad man Dick Zillman created the Pizza Pit television spot in the snowy winter of 1978–79: a model train set, children's voices, flour and the jingle — 'whose pizza fleet still delivers free, fast and steaming hot? Yeah, it's the Pit's. Pizza Pit.'

1 reference

"The Talk" on ad man Dick Zillman, who created the Pizza Pit TV jingle spot in the winter of 1978–79 (CT, 12 Feb 2008, p. 2)

Seven Madison company stores reopened Jan. 29 – Feb. 14, 2000 under the Smith/Meyer group: Monroe St., E. Washington Ave. and Cottage Grove Rd. on Jan. 29 (for the Super Bowl), Odana Rd. on Feb. 2, Emil St. on Feb. 9, Northport Dr. and Raymond Rd. on Valentine's Day; former employees rehired through the Monroe Street store (257-5825).

2 references

Franchise owner rescues city Pizza Pits (CT, 29 Jan 2000, p. 39)

All Madison Pizza Pits reopened by Monday (CT, 11 Feb 2000, p. 44)

Pizzas shipped to Germany, North Carolina and a Seattle wake; an ice-fishing delivery onto Lake Monona Bay (Jan. 2001); in the 1970s a driver walked onto a Livingston Street film set and ended up in the movie (Doug Moe, 2001). The slogan 'free, fast and hot'; 'Over 50 Awards for Best Pizza in Madison' (2002 ad); Heavyweight, Classic and Pizza Twins pizzas.

2 references

Pizza from the Pit is a hit on ice (CT, 10 Jan 2001, p. 2)

Rocky Rococo (32-item salad bar; Mother Lode World Tour) and Pizza Pit ('Over 50 Awards for Best Pizza') advertisements (CT, 16 May 2002, p. 63)

March 1999 ads claimed '21 convenient area locations' with free delivery; the Oct. 1999 guide listed seven Madison stores (Campus 1614 Monroe, Far East 4527 Cottage Grove Rd., North, South Central, Southwest, West, Near East).

2 references

Pizza Pit: 'Madison's Most Award Winning Pizza! Free, fast & hot delivery from 21 convenient area locations'; coupon for a 14-inch large classic pizza with two toppings, expires March 31, 1999. Same page: Pizzeria Uno 'Uno… (WSJ, 19 Mar 1999, p. 19)

Rhythm Restaurant Guide 1999–2000: Pizzerias (2) (CT, 28 Oct 1999, p. 114)

The Great Pizza Pit Treasure Hunt of Jan. 14–23, 1991 hid a $1,000 medallion, with daily clues in The Capital Times.

1 reference

Winter Carnival events (CT, 11 Jan 1991, p. 32)

Eleven Madison-area Pizza Pits in April 1992, against seven Pizza Huts, nine Rocky Rococos, six Domino's and two Unos among 74 pizza places.

1 reference

Just the Facts (CT, 15 Apr 1992, p. 1)

The 1993 Food Share list gave a Pizza Pit at '5750 Raymond Road' (the Raymond Road store is otherwise recorded at 5706).

1 reference

Food Share 1993 (WSJ, 25 Apr 1993, p. 190)

Ten Madison stores in Sept. 1994 — 'our local staple pizza, of course, the standard by which all others are judged' (Rath), who recommended the spicier, 35-percent-less-fat Light Pizza; two Pizza Pit stands at the 1994 Taste of Madison sold deluxe combo, garden party veggie, super meat sampler, bacon onion cheeseburger and 4-alarm special slices.

2 references

Pizza choices as varied as toppings (CT, 3 Sep 1994, p. 42)

Taste of Madison food list (WSJ, 1 Sep 1994, p. 61)

The 1995 Yellow Pages ad: ten Madison-area company stores (East Towne, Monona and Middleton among them), 14 franchise towns, catering at 221-6777 and a TDD line; specials Pizza Twins, Extra Topped and Pizza Light.

2 references

Ameritech PagesPlus Yellow Pages, Madison, 1995 edition, 'Pizza' classification, p. 637: Pizza Pit full-page ad — 'Free, fast & hot delivery (limited delivery areas)', featuring Pizza Twins (two pizzas, one price), Extra … (phone book, 1995, p. 637)

Ameritech PagesPlus Yellow Pages, Madison, 1995 edition, 'Pizza' classification, p. 636: alphabetical listings Alley Oops (13 Atlas Ct.), Angelo's Pizzaria (5801 Monona Dr.), Buck's Pizza ('Pizza Is Our Only Product Since… (phone book, 1995, p. 636)

Sept. 1995 hiring ad: 'Production of Madison's most award winning pizza. Complete paid training.'

1 reference

Pizza Pit: 'PIZZA COOKS — Production of Madison's most award winning pizza. Complete paid training… ORDER TAKERS… Apply at the nearest PIZZA PIT location in Madison and surrounding Dane County'; Pizza Extreme managers $22–… (WSJ, 17 Sep 1995, p. 89)

1980 Yellow Pages: seven stores, open daily 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. (2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, midnight Sunday); pizzas and submarine sandwiches; free delivery and carry-out; the Emil Street store traded as Diablos Inn.

2 references

Madison Yellow Pages, 1980 edition (Wisconsin Telephone Co.), 'Pizza' classification, p. 449: listings Pizza Oven (6016 Monona Dr. 222-8722; 1018 N. Sherman Ave. 244-0434), Pizza Pit (616 University Ave. 257-5825; Far Eas… (phone book, 1980, p. 449)

Madison Yellow Pages, 1980 edition (Wisconsin Telephone Co.), 'Pizza' classification, p. 447: listings Barnaby's Family Inn (4802 E. Washington Ave. 241-2131; 6613 Mineral Point Rd. 833-1671), Brat und Brau (1421 Regent; … (phone book, 1980, p. 447)

Aug. 1998: Terry Voice, president of 'a Madison chain of 47 restaurants', said Pizza Pit would hold pizza prices as long as it could despite record cheese costs — 'We won't cut back on cheese. Absolutely not.' The 1998 restaurant guide counted 21 Dane County locations. Hiring that year ran through 246-7738 ('Bill or Bob'); drivers earned $8–12 an hour with tips.

4 references

Pizzerias swallow hard when they say cheese: competition has delayed passing on higher costs (WSJ, 7 Aug 1998, p. 1)

Pizzerias (continued, 'Page 31') (CT, 29 Oct 1998, p. 114)

Help wanted: Pizza Pit, Pizzeria Uno (WSJ, 26 Jul 1998, p. 103)

Help wanted: Pizza Extreme (Harry Smith), Pizza Pit drivers (WSJ, 23 Aug 1998, p. 95)

By 1985 'Pizza Pit availability' was a Madison byword for delivery coverage (a gyros owner's ambition); Pizza Pit fed the Sematech site-selection delegation in November 1987 and sold Vilas Zoo benefit tickets in 1982 and 1984.

2 references

Review of East Side Gyros: the owner hopes to establish 'Pizza Pit availability' — a flagship shop with satellites around Madison for fast delivery (CT, 4 May 1985, p. 4)

Madison's bid for the Sematech semiconductor consortium: 'Pizza Pit will give Sematech officials all the pizza they need while in town' (CT, 7 Nov 1987, p. 14)

Nine area stores in October 1985 (616 and 2803 University Ave., 1349 Williamson St., 4126 Monona Dr., 1401 Emil St., 1417 Northport Dr., Raymond Rd., East Towne Mall, 2506 Allen Blvd.); 'Famous throughout the land for free, fast hot delivery of pizza, sandwiches and subs. Some locations have inside seating'.

1 reference

Dining guide listing Pizza Oven and Pizza Pit (WSJ, 6 Oct 1985, p. 138)

Sold 800,000-plus pizzas in fiscal 1984 from 10 local outlets — 750,000 lb of dough, 48,000 gal of sauce, 395,000 lb of cheese — about 20 percent of area pizza sales by its own survey; held 67 percent of local delivery in 1984, about 60 percent by mid-1985 after Domino's arrived (marketing director Tom Hartl). Kaye Schultz (1985): 'the best pizza base in Madison', and the bargain.

2 references

Madison has right stuff for making — and eating! — pizza (CT, 22 Jun 1985, p. 14)

Mama Mia! Madison's pizza craving is monstrous / A tale of two pizzas — upscale and other (CT, 22 Jun 1985, p. 15)

'11 Madison-area locations' in October 1987.

1 reference

Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1987 (WSJ, 4 Oct 1987, p. 252)

Ten area stores in the Fall 1986 guide, adding 134 Westgate Mall (274-1730).

1 reference

Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1986 (WSJ, 5 Oct 1986, p. 169)

Ten locations in October 1984; the 'Pizza Pit deluxe' with every fifth topping free; 1984 honors: Best Delivery (Madison Magazine, July), Best Thin Crust Pizza (MNI's Ultimate Guide, Aug.) and Best Delivered Pizza (Isthmus Annual Manual, Aug.).

1 reference

Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1984 (WSJ, 7 Oct 1984, p. 265)

A 1989 obituary named Gerald H. Voice as 'one of the original owners and founders of Pizza Pit, Limited, which started in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1969'.

1 reference

Obituary of Gerald H. Voice of Ann Arbor, Mich., 77: 'Mr. Voice was one of the original owners and founders of Pizza Pit, Limited, which started in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1969' (CT, 6 Jun 1989, p. 23)

Five Madison locations in April 1975, when United Neighborhood Centers volunteers took its orders and deliveries for a day as a fund-raiser.

1 reference

Pizza fund raiser (DC, 24 Apr 1975, p. 4)

Daily Cardinal contests: 2nd of six in 1971 ($1.90 with coupon), 3rd in 1972 and 1973, 5th in 1974; best thin crust in 1975 ('an authentic urban flair'). Its hot Italian submarine was a reviewer's benchmark in 1971.

6 references

Promises, promises: First annual pizza contest (DC, 5 Nov 1971, p. 9)

Second Annual Cardinal Pizza Delivery Competition (DC, 17 Nov 1972, p. 15)

As the pizza turns... (DC, 7 Dec 1973, p. 21)

Pizza hits the pits; Rocky wins by default (DC, 14 Oct 1974, p. 11)

Searching for the pie in the sky (DC, 4 Nov 1975, p. 1)

State Street Gourmet on Submarine Village, comparing Pizza Pit's hot Italian submarine (DC, 2 Dec 1971, p. 4)

About 1993 the delivery cars were red Ford Tempos with lighted "Pizza Pit" roof signs; a former driver says most were leased from Thorstad Chevrolet. A frequent customer recalled being sent a telephone shaped like the cars as a Christmas present.

1 reference

Post with a photo of a Pizza Pit delivery car behind the Campus store, about 1993, Historic Madison Wi. photo group (Facebook, 27 Nov 2022)

phone number

221-6777

June 1990

1 reference