Rocky Rococo (Q552): Difference between revisions

← Older edit

@@ Property / instance of @@
-brand
@@ Property / instance of: brand / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / inception @@
-April 1974Timestamp +1974-04-04T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 day
Before 0
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-Timestamp
++1974-04-04T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
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+day
 Before
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@@ Property / inception: 4 April 1974 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / inception: 4 April 1974 / qualifier @@
-date basis: later account
@@ Property / inception: 4 April 1974 / reference @@
-stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
quotation: With a loan they bought a restaurant at 411 W. Gilman St. in downtown Madison and on April 4, 1974, opened for business.
@@ Property / locality @@
-Madison
@@ Property / locality: Madison / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / locality: Madison / reference @@
-stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
@@ Property / founded by @@
-Roger Brown
@@ Property / founded by: Roger Brown / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / founded by: Roger Brown / reference @@
-stated in: Brown's Restaurant to Close Doors On 36 Years of Good Home Cookin' (CT, 16 Mar 1974, p. 9)
@@ Property / founded by: Roger Brown / reference @@
-stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
@@ Property / founded by @@
-Wayne Mosley
@@ Property / founded by: Wayne Mosley / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / founded by: Wayne Mosley / reference @@
-stated in: Brown's Restaurant to Close Doors On 36 Years of Good Home Cookin' (CT, 16 Mar 1974, p. 9)
@@ Property / founded by: Wayne Mosley / reference @@
-stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
@@ Property / pizza style @@
-pan style
@@ Property / pizza style: pan style / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / pizza style: pan style / reference @@
-stated in: Brown's Restaurant to Close Doors On 36 Years of Good Home Cookin' (CT, 16 Mar 1974, p. 9)
quotation: It will serve "pan pizza."
@@ Property / pizza style: pan style / reference @@
-stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
@@ Property / signature product @@
-pan pizza by the slice
@@ Property / signature product: pan pizza by the slice / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / signature product: pan pizza by the slice / reference @@
-stated in: Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)
quotation: It all comes down to selling pizza by the slice and using unusually good sausage.
@@ Property / signature product @@
-Rococo Chicago
@@ Property / signature product: Rococo Chicago / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / signature product: Rococo Chicago / qualifier @@
-point in time: 2008Timestamp +2008-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2008-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / signature product: Rococo Chicago / reference @@
-stated in: Drinks with... Jim Pederson (madison.com, 17 Aug 2008)
@@ Property / signature product @@
-Rocky Rococo Mother Lode
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo Mother Lode / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo Mother Lode / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky Rococo advertisement: the new Mother Lode pizza (WSJ, 4 May 2000, p. 60)
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo Mother Lode / reference @@
-stated in: 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)
@@ Property / signature product @@
-Rocky Rococo Cheese Works
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo Cheese Works / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo Cheese Works / reference @@
-stated in: Pizza poll delivers (DC, 15 Oct 2003)
@@ Property / signature product @@
-Rocky Rococo World Tour pizzas
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo World Tour pizzas / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo World Tour pizzas / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky Rococo 'Super Summer World Tour': a daily World Tour slice at lunch (11–2) or the day's World Tour pizza at $12.99 large / $10.99 medium; 'Now Super Slices!'; CheesyBaconBurger pizza June 17–19 and Meatworks June 21–… (WSJ, 17 Jun 1999, p. 64)
@@ Property / associated person @@
-Jim Pederson
@@ Property / associated person: Jim Pederson / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / associated person: Jim Pederson / qualifier @@
-role: spokesperson
@@ Property / associated person: Jim Pederson / qualifier @@
-end time: 2016Timestamp +2016-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2016-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / associated person: Jim Pederson / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky Rococo leaves East Washington (WSJ, 15 Apr 2018, p. E5)
quotation: Jim Pederson, who was the face of Rocky Rococo on TV and the voice of Rocky's on radio for 40 years
@@ Property / associated person @@
-Pat Charley
@@ Property / associated person: Pat Charley / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / associated person: Pat Charley / qualifier @@
-role: employee
@@ Property / associated person: Pat Charley / reference @@
-stated in: Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)
quotation: credits his wife, Patricia Charley, an employee at his original restaurant on Gilman Street, with creating Rocky's unique sausage
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 5
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / qualifier @@
-point in time: August 1978Timestamp +1978-08-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1978-08-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
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@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / qualifier @@
-scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky Rococo advertisement listing five restaurants (WSJ, 3 Aug 1978, p. 16)
quotation: I got five diffrint restaurants
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 6
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / qualifier @@
-point in time: 1979Timestamp +1979-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1979-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / qualifier @@
-scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / qualifier @@
-date basis: later account
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky Rococo founders reached their initial goal (WSJ, 14 Jan 1988, p. 13)
quotation: Four years later, there were three more Madison stores and one in La Crosse.
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 11
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / qualifier @@
-point in time: April 1982Timestamp +1982-04-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1982-04-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / qualifier @@
-scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / reference @@
-stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
quotation: Today, there are six restaurants in Madison, two in La Crosse and three in Minneapolis.
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 6
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / qualifier @@
-point in time: April 1982Timestamp +1982-04-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1982-04-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
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+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / qualifier @@
-scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / reference @@
-stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 43
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 43 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 43 / qualifier @@
-point in time: February 1985Timestamp +1985-02-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1985-02-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
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-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 43 / qualifier @@
-scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 43 / reference @@
-stated in: Where food is fast, so is the growth (WSJ, 3 Feb 1985, p. 117)
quotation: there are 43 Rocky Rococo restaurants in four states
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 10
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 10 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 10 / qualifier @@
-point in time: January 1988Timestamp +1988-01-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1988-01-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 10 / qualifier @@
-scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 10 / reference @@
-stated in: Founders sell their stake in Rocky Rococo (front page) (WSJ, 14 Jan 1988, p. 1)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 120
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 120 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 120 / qualifier @@
-point in time: 1988Timestamp +1988-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1988-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 120 / qualifier @@
-scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 120 / reference @@
-stated in: A big slice of success (WSJ, 27 Feb 1992, p. 39–40)
quotation: the Rocky Rococo Pan Style Pizza chain grew to 120 restaurants nationwide by 1988
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 125
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 125 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 125 / qualifier @@
-scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 125 / qualifier @@
-date basis: later account
@@ Property / number of stores: 125 / reference @@
-stated in: Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)
quotation: At its height, there were 125 stores from Spokane, Washington, to Puerto Rico.
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 41
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / qualifier @@
-point in time: January 2009Timestamp +2009-01-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2009-01-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
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-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / qualifier @@
-scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky's weathering tough year in pizza trade (WSJ, 4 Jan 2009, p. 13)
quotation: Co-owns 11 restaurants with co-founder Roger Brown. Eight are in Madison and three in La Crosse. Another 30 restaurants are part of the Rocky Rococo Corp.
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 8
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / qualifier @@
-point in time: January 2009Timestamp +2009-01-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2009-01-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / qualifier @@
-scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky's weathering tough year in pizza trade (WSJ, 4 Jan 2009, p. 13)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 39
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / qualifier @@
-point in time: April 2018Timestamp +2018-04-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2018-04-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / qualifier @@
-scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky Rococo leaves East Washington (WSJ, 15 Apr 2018, p. E5)
quotation: In all, there are 39 Rocky Rococo locations, all but two in Wisconsin
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 31
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 31 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 31 / qualifier @@
-point in time: December 2024Timestamp +2024-12-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2024-12-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 31 / qualifier @@
-scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 31 / reference @@
-stated in: Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)
quotation: There are now 30 Rocky's in Wisconsin, including in Milwaukee, Oconomowoc, Wausau and Appleton, plus one in Minnesota. Four remain in the Madison area.
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 4
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 4 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 4 / qualifier @@
-point in time: December 2024Timestamp +2024-12-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2024-12-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 4 / qualifier @@
-scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 4 / reference @@
-stated in: Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 11
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / qualifier @@
-point in time: 2016Timestamp +2016-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2016-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / qualifier @@
-scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / reference @@
-stated in: Jim Pederson, the face and personality of Rocky Rococo Pizza for decades, dies (madison.com, 9 Feb 2016)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 39
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / qualifier @@
-point in time: 2018Timestamp +2018-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2018-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / qualifier @@
-scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky Rococo leaves East Washington after almost 40 years (madison.com, 10 Apr 2018)
quotation: 39 locations; headquarters in Oconomowoc; president Trey Hester
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 41
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / qualifier @@
-point in time: April 2010Timestamp +2010-04-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2010-04-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / qualifier @@
-scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky Rococo sues Madison franchisee (madison.com, 8 Apr 2010)
quotation: 38 Wisconsin locations plus one each in Minnesota, Washington and Kentucky
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 12
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 12 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 12 / qualifier @@
-point in time: September 2006Timestamp +2006-09-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2006-09-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 12 / qualifier @@
-scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 12 / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky Rococo help-wanted ad: "We own/operate 12 Rocky Rococos mostly in the Madison area. Call Wayne" (CT, 13 Sep 2006, p. 27)
quotation: We own/operate 12 Rocky Rococos mostly in the Madison area
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 7
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 7 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 7 / qualifier @@
-point in time: May 2000Timestamp +2000-05-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2000-05-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 7 / qualifier @@
-scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 7 / reference @@
-stated in: City of Madison license renewal applications, 2000–01 (pages 12–13) (CT, 25 May 2000, p. 12)
@@ Property / number of stores: 7 / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky Rococo's Locations (snapshot of Dec. 4, 2000) (rockyrococo.com, 4 Dec 2000)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 8
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / qualifier @@
-point in time: May 2002Timestamp +2002-05-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2002-05-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / qualifier @@
-scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / reference @@
-stated in: City of Madison license renewal applications, 2002–03 (pages 4–5) (CT, 21 May 2002, p. 4)
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky Rococo's Locations (snapshot of Dec. 9, 2002) (rockyrococo.com, 9 Dec 2002)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 45
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 45 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 45 / qualifier @@
-point in time: April 2004Timestamp +2004-04-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2004-04-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
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+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 45 / qualifier @@
-scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 45 / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky Rococo's full circle at 30 (CT, 21 Apr 2004, p. 2)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
-Amount 5
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / qualifier @@
-point in time: 1980Timestamp +1980-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1980-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
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 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / reference @@
-stated in: 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)
@@ Property / significant event @@
-start of franchising
@@ Property / significant event: start of franchising / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / significant event: start of franchising / qualifier @@
-point in time: 1982Timestamp +1982-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1982-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / significant event: start of franchising / qualifier @@
-date basis: planned date
@@ Property / significant event: start of franchising / reference @@
-stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
quotation: Later this spring they expect to enter a new phase of growth when they become licensed to franchise in Wisconsin.
@@ Property / significant event @@
-Sale of Rocky Rococo by its founders (1988)
-Normal rank
-stated in: Founders sell their stake in Rocky Rococo (front page) (WSJ, 14 Jan 1988, p. 1)
@@ Property / research note @@
-The name came from a song on a record album; the founders met at the University of Illinois and chose Madison after touring Big Ten towns in 1973.
-Normal rank
-stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
@@ Property / research note @@
-The sauce is sold in grocery shops in 15-ounce jars. A heart-shaped pizza is sold for St. Valentine's Day, one of the busiest days of the year.
-Normal rank
-stated in: Rocky Rococo (madpizza.wiki, 4 Oct 2020)
@@ Property / research note @@
-A 2024 Capital Times review of Fabiola's says Roger Brown and Pat Charley founded Rocky Rococo in 1974; Brown's own account (State Journal, December 2024) names Wayne Mosley as co-founder and Charley as an early employee who created the sausage.
-Normal rank
-stated in: Review of Fabiola's Spaghetti House and Deli, 1301 Regent St. (CT, 1 May 2024, p. O34)
-stated in: Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)
@@ Property / research note @@
-Roger Brown still owned five Madison-area and two La Crosse Rocky Rococo stores in June 2021.
-Normal rank
-stated in: Combination bookstore, bar, cafe about to open on Regent Street (madison.com, 30 Jun 2021)
@@ Property / research note @@
-The Westgate store and the mall food-court counters closed in 2017, and Party Pizzeria East in May 2018, leaving the Madison stores at Monona Drive, Prairie Lakes, Regent Street, Tree Lane and the West Beltline.
-Normal rank
-stated in: Rocky Rococo leaves East Washington after almost 40 years (madison.com, 10 Apr 2018)
@@ Property / research note @@
-Joe Brusca, the pizza-supply salesman, sold the first case of cheese to the two men who planned to open Rocky Rococo's.
-Normal rank
-stated in: WWII soldiers made pizza a Madison staple (madison.com, 28 Mar 2010)
@@ Property / research note @@
-The founders' 1988 sale: partner Wayne Hughes, brought in to finance fast growth into eight or nine cities, bought the company, 'closed 40 restaurants in one day', and its managers later salvaged it; Mosley and Brown kept their own restaurants. Party pizzerias opened on the Far West Side in 1992 and the Far East Side in 2000.
-Normal rank
-stated in: Rocky's weathering tough year in pizza trade (WSJ, 4 Jan 2009, p. 13)
@@ Property / research note @@
-Jim Pederson, a Second City actor, has been the only Rocky since 1975; The Firesign Theatre licensed the name once the chain reached about 16 stores. His favorite: the Rococo Chicago. 2009 slices: Uncle Sal's Spectacular and the Garden of Eatin'.
-Normal rank
-stated in: Drinks with... Jim Pederson (madison.com, 17 Aug 2008)
-stated in: Let's Eat for $7.70: Through thick or thin, pizza's a pleaser (madison.com, 29 Dec 2009)
@@ Property / research note @@
-th anniversary April 4, 2004 (Doug Moe): Mosley and Brown nearly named it The Pizza Factory; Brown had worked at Garcia's, a Champaign pan-pizza place; they bought Brown's Diner on Gilman Street from Orv Erickson and Darrell Cook; the name came from a Firesign Theatre character; 'Madison hadn't had pizza by the slice before'; the 1975 State Street store 'rode like Secretariat'.
-Normal rank
-stated in: Rocky Rococo's full circle at 30 (CT, 21 Apr 2004, p. 2)
@@ Property / research note @@
-After a short-lived Oscar Mayer partnership the company franchised by territory and in the 1980s 'anticipated 700 stores by 1990'; a Chicago ad agency suggested dumping the Rocky character; the founders sold to a California company, keeping several restaurants — 'franchisees of the company we founded'. In 2004: 45 Rockys; Mosley and Brown had eight in Madison, three in La Crosse, one in the Dells.
-Normal rank
-stated in: Rocky Rococo's full circle at 30 (CT, 21 Apr 2004, p. 2)
@@ Property / research note @@
-Mosley (2004): Rocky is an actual person, a Madison resident who 'once performed at The Second City'. Promotions 2000–04: the Mother Lode (smoky mozzarella stuffed to the edge, May 2000), Greatest Hits slices, the Rococo Mexicano World Tour (Taco Rococo, Fajita Steak), a 32-item salad bar, Pizza & Play game rooms at the Party Pizzerias (2002), a free Sunday State Journal with a pizza (2004).
-Normal rank
-stated in: Just ask: Is there an actual person named Rocky Rococo? (WSJ, 12 Apr 2004, p. 1)
-stated in: Rocky Rococo advertisement: the new Mother Lode pizza (WSJ, 4 May 2000, p. 60)
-stated in: Rocky Rococo advertisement: Rococo Mexicano World Tour (Taco Rococo, Fajita Steak) (CT, 5 Oct 2000, p. 61)
-stated in: Rocky Rococo advertisement: Pizza & Play family fun centers at the Party Pizzerias West and East (CT, 8 Aug 2002, p. 63)
-stated in: Rocky Rococo promotion: a free Sunday State Journal with a pizza on football Sundays (WSJ, 11 Sep 2004, p. 27)
@@ Property / research note @@
-Seven Madison stores in the May 1999 license lists (1618 W. Beltline, 4556 Monona Dr., 4002 E. Washington, 3001 N. Sherman, Westgate Mall, 1301 Regent, 7952 Tree Lane); summer 1999 'Super Summer World Tour' daily specials and 'Super Slices'.
-Normal rank
-stated in: City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol license renewals, part 1: Beer Class A, Beer Class B (#41–63) and grocery Class A; Rocky Rococo (First Madco Inc., agent Wayne Mosley) at 1618 W. Beltline Hwy., 4556 Monona Dr., 4002 E. Wash… (CT, 26 May 1999, p. 6)
-stated in: City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol license renewals, part 2: Liquor & Beer Class B (#159–458): But-Lo LLC dba Sal's Pizzeria 313 State St.; First Madco Inc. dba Rocky Rococo 7952 Tree Ln.; Mineral Spirits Inc. dba Edwardo's N… (CT, 26 May 1999, p. 7)
-stated in: Rocky Rococo 'Super Summer World Tour': a daily World Tour slice at lunch (11–2) or the day's World Tour pizza at $12.99 large / $10.99 medium; 'Now Super Slices!'; CheesyBaconBurger pizza June 17–19 and Meatworks June 21–… (WSJ, 17 Jun 1999, p. 64)
@@ Property / research note @@
-In Feb. 1992 Roger Brown's FMI ran 17 Rocky Rococos with 400 employees and $12 million in sales; the Capital Times counted nine Madison stores in April 1992 and called the Tree Lane one the city's 11th.
-Normal rank
-stated in: A big slice of success (WSJ, 27 Feb 1992, p. 39–40)
-stated in: Just the Facts (CT, 15 Apr 1992, p. 1)
-stated in: New Rococo's to offer pizza with a twist (CT, 26 Jun 1992, p. 11)
@@ Property / research note @@
-Ten Madison-area stores in the 1995 Yellow Pages, three with drive-thru service and the Middleton one delivery and take-out only; the menu offered 'Pan Style Pizza or Classic Thin', pasta, lasagna and a salad bar.
-Normal rank
-stated in: Ameritech PagesPlus Yellow Pages, Madison, 1995 edition, 'Pizza' classification, p. 639: Rocky Rococo display ad — 'Pan Style Pizza or Classic Thin', Wisconsin real cheese, city-wide delivery (limited area), pasta, lasagn… (phone book, 1995, p. 639)
@@ Property / research note @@
-Yellow Pages ad, 'Pan Style Pizza and Pasta': 'my pizza is da most superior throughout da modern world'; pizza, lasagna, spaghetti, salads, sandwiches, beer on tap, deliveries and carry-outs; five stores (the ad misprints 694 S. Whitney Way as 688). 411 W. Gilman St. was still listed.
-Normal rank
-stated in: 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)
-stated in: Madison Yellow Pages, 1980 edition (Wisconsin Telephone Co.), 'Pizza' classification, p. 450: listings Rocky Rococo Pan Style Pizza and Pasta (411 W. Gilman 256-0600, 1618 W. Beltline Hwy. 251-0304, 651 State, 694 S. Whit… (phone book, 1980, p. 450)
@@ Property / official website @@
-https://rockysmadison.com/
@@ Property / official website: https://rockysmadison.com/ / rank @@
-Normal rank
@@ Property / official website: https://rockysmadison.com/ / reference @@
-stated in: Rocky Rococo (madpizza.wiki, 4 Oct 2020)
@@ Property / instance of @@
+brand
@@ Property / instance of: brand / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / inception @@
+April 1974Timestamp +1974-04-04T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 day
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1974-04-04T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+day
 Before
 After
@@ Property / inception: 4 April 1974 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / inception: 4 April 1974 / qualifier @@
+date basis: later account
@@ Property / inception: 4 April 1974 / reference @@
+stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
quotation: With a loan they bought a restaurant at 411 W. Gilman St. in downtown Madison and on April 4, 1974, opened for business.
@@ Property / locality @@
+Madison
@@ Property / locality: Madison / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / locality: Madison / reference @@
+stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
@@ Property / founded by @@
+Roger Brown
@@ Property / founded by: Roger Brown / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / founded by: Roger Brown / reference @@
+stated in: Brown's Restaurant to Close Doors On 36 Years of Good Home Cookin' (CT, 16 Mar 1974, p. 9)
@@ Property / founded by: Roger Brown / reference @@
+stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
@@ Property / founded by @@
+Wayne Mosley
@@ Property / founded by: Wayne Mosley / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / founded by: Wayne Mosley / reference @@
+stated in: Brown's Restaurant to Close Doors On 36 Years of Good Home Cookin' (CT, 16 Mar 1974, p. 9)
@@ Property / founded by: Wayne Mosley / reference @@
+stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
@@ Property / pizza style @@
+pan style
@@ Property / pizza style: pan style / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / pizza style: pan style / reference @@
+stated in: Brown's Restaurant to Close Doors On 36 Years of Good Home Cookin' (CT, 16 Mar 1974, p. 9)
quotation: It will serve "pan pizza."
@@ Property / pizza style: pan style / reference @@
+stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
@@ Property / signature product @@
+pan pizza by the slice
@@ Property / signature product: pan pizza by the slice / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / signature product: pan pizza by the slice / reference @@
+stated in: Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)
quotation: It all comes down to selling pizza by the slice and using unusually good sausage.
@@ Property / signature product @@
+Rococo Chicago
@@ Property / signature product: Rococo Chicago / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / signature product: Rococo Chicago / qualifier @@
+point in time: 2008Timestamp +2008-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2008-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / signature product: Rococo Chicago / reference @@
+stated in: Drinks with... Jim Pederson (madison.com, 17 Aug 2008)
@@ Property / signature product @@
+Rocky Rococo Mother Lode
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo Mother Lode / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo Mother Lode / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky Rococo advertisement: the new Mother Lode pizza (WSJ, 4 May 2000, p. 60)
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo Mother Lode / reference @@
+stated in: 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)
@@ Property / signature product @@
+Rocky Rococo Cheese Works
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo Cheese Works / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo Cheese Works / reference @@
+stated in: Pizza poll delivers (DC, 15 Oct 2003)
@@ Property / signature product @@
+Rocky Rococo World Tour pizzas
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo World Tour pizzas / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / signature product: Rocky Rococo World Tour pizzas / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky Rococo 'Super Summer World Tour': a daily World Tour slice at lunch (11–2) or the day's World Tour pizza at $12.99 large / $10.99 medium; 'Now Super Slices!'; CheesyBaconBurger pizza June 17–19 and Meatworks June 21–… (WSJ, 17 Jun 1999, p. 64)
@@ Property / associated person @@
+Jim Pederson
@@ Property / associated person: Jim Pederson / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / associated person: Jim Pederson / qualifier @@
+role: spokesperson
@@ Property / associated person: Jim Pederson / qualifier @@
+end time: 2016Timestamp +2016-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2016-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / associated person: Jim Pederson / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky Rococo leaves East Washington (WSJ, 15 Apr 2018, p. E5)
quotation: Jim Pederson, who was the face of Rocky Rococo on TV and the voice of Rocky's on radio for 40 years
@@ Property / associated person @@
+Pat Charley
@@ Property / associated person: Pat Charley / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / associated person: Pat Charley / qualifier @@
+role: employee
@@ Property / associated person: Pat Charley / reference @@
+stated in: Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)
quotation: credits his wife, Patricia Charley, an employee at his original restaurant on Gilman Street, with creating Rocky's unique sausage
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 5
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / qualifier @@
+point in time: August 1978Timestamp +1978-08-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1978-08-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / qualifier @@
+scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky Rococo advertisement listing five restaurants (WSJ, 3 Aug 1978, p. 16)
quotation: I got five diffrint restaurants
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 6
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / qualifier @@
+point in time: 1979Timestamp +1979-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1979-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / qualifier @@
+scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / qualifier @@
+date basis: later account
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky Rococo founders reached their initial goal (WSJ, 14 Jan 1988, p. 13)
quotation: Four years later, there were three more Madison stores and one in La Crosse.
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 11
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / qualifier @@
+point in time: April 1982Timestamp +1982-04-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1982-04-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / qualifier @@
+scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / reference @@
+stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
quotation: Today, there are six restaurants in Madison, two in La Crosse and three in Minneapolis.
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 6
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / qualifier @@
+point in time: April 1982Timestamp +1982-04-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1982-04-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / qualifier @@
+scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 6 / reference @@
+stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 43
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 43 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 43 / qualifier @@
+point in time: February 1985Timestamp +1985-02-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1985-02-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 43 / qualifier @@
+scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 43 / reference @@
+stated in: Where food is fast, so is the growth (WSJ, 3 Feb 1985, p. 117)
quotation: there are 43 Rocky Rococo restaurants in four states
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 10
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 10 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 10 / qualifier @@
+point in time: January 1988Timestamp +1988-01-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1988-01-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 10 / qualifier @@
+scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 10 / reference @@
+stated in: Founders sell their stake in Rocky Rococo (front page) (WSJ, 14 Jan 1988, p. 1)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 120
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 120 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 120 / qualifier @@
+point in time: 1988Timestamp +1988-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1988-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 120 / qualifier @@
+scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 120 / reference @@
+stated in: A big slice of success (WSJ, 27 Feb 1992, p. 39–40)
quotation: the Rocky Rococo Pan Style Pizza chain grew to 120 restaurants nationwide by 1988
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 125
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 125 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 125 / qualifier @@
+scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 125 / qualifier @@
+date basis: later account
@@ Property / number of stores: 125 / reference @@
+stated in: Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)
quotation: At its height, there were 125 stores from Spokane, Washington, to Puerto Rico.
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 41
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / qualifier @@
+point in time: January 2009Timestamp +2009-01-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2009-01-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / qualifier @@
+scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky's weathering tough year in pizza trade (WSJ, 4 Jan 2009, p. 13)
quotation: Co-owns 11 restaurants with co-founder Roger Brown. Eight are in Madison and three in La Crosse. Another 30 restaurants are part of the Rocky Rococo Corp.
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 8
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / qualifier @@
+point in time: January 2009Timestamp +2009-01-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2009-01-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / qualifier @@
+scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky's weathering tough year in pizza trade (WSJ, 4 Jan 2009, p. 13)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 39
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / qualifier @@
+point in time: April 2018Timestamp +2018-04-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2018-04-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / qualifier @@
+scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky Rococo leaves East Washington (WSJ, 15 Apr 2018, p. E5)
quotation: In all, there are 39 Rocky Rococo locations, all but two in Wisconsin
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 31
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 31 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 31 / qualifier @@
+point in time: December 2024Timestamp +2024-12-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2024-12-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 31 / qualifier @@
+scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 31 / reference @@
+stated in: Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)
quotation: There are now 30 Rocky's in Wisconsin, including in Milwaukee, Oconomowoc, Wausau and Appleton, plus one in Minnesota. Four remain in the Madison area.
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 4
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 4 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 4 / qualifier @@
+point in time: December 2024Timestamp +2024-12-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2024-12-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 4 / qualifier @@
+scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 4 / reference @@
+stated in: Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 11
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / qualifier @@
+point in time: 2016Timestamp +2016-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2016-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / qualifier @@
+scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 11 / reference @@
+stated in: Jim Pederson, the face and personality of Rocky Rococo Pizza for decades, dies (madison.com, 9 Feb 2016)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 39
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / qualifier @@
+point in time: 2018Timestamp +2018-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2018-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / qualifier @@
+scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 39 / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky Rococo leaves East Washington after almost 40 years (madison.com, 10 Apr 2018)
quotation: 39 locations; headquarters in Oconomowoc; president Trey Hester
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 41
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / qualifier @@
+point in time: April 2010Timestamp +2010-04-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2010-04-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / qualifier @@
+scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 41 / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky Rococo sues Madison franchisee (madison.com, 8 Apr 2010)
quotation: 38 Wisconsin locations plus one each in Minnesota, Washington and Kentucky
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 12
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 12 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 12 / qualifier @@
+point in time: September 2006Timestamp +2006-09-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2006-09-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 12 / qualifier @@
+scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 12 / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky Rococo help-wanted ad: "We own/operate 12 Rocky Rococos mostly in the Madison area. Call Wayne" (CT, 13 Sep 2006, p. 27)
quotation: We own/operate 12 Rocky Rococos mostly in the Madison area
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 7
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 7 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 7 / qualifier @@
+point in time: May 2000Timestamp +2000-05-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2000-05-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 7 / qualifier @@
+scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 7 / reference @@
+stated in: City of Madison license renewal applications, 2000–01 (pages 12–13) (CT, 25 May 2000, p. 12)
@@ Property / number of stores: 7 / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky Rococo's Locations (snapshot of Dec. 4, 2000) (rockyrococo.com, 4 Dec 2000)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 8
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / qualifier @@
+point in time: May 2002Timestamp +2002-05-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2002-05-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / qualifier @@
+scope: Madison-area stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / reference @@
+stated in: City of Madison license renewal applications, 2002–03 (pages 4–5) (CT, 21 May 2002, p. 4)
@@ Property / number of stores: 8 / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky Rococo's Locations (snapshot of Dec. 9, 2002) (rockyrococo.com, 9 Dec 2002)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 45
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 45 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 45 / qualifier @@
+point in time: April 2004Timestamp +2004-04-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 month
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++2004-04-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+month
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 45 / qualifier @@
+scope: all stores
@@ Property / number of stores: 45 / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky Rococo's full circle at 30 (CT, 21 Apr 2004, p. 2)
@@ Property / number of stores @@
+Amount 5
Unit 1
 Amount
 Unit
@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / qualifier @@
+point in time: 1980Timestamp +1980-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1980-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / number of stores: 5 / reference @@
+stated in: 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)
@@ Property / significant event @@
+start of franchising
@@ Property / significant event: start of franchising / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / significant event: start of franchising / qualifier @@
+point in time: 1982Timestamp +1982-00-00T00:00:00Z
Timezone +00:00
Calendar Gregorian
Precision 1 year
Before 0
After 0
-Timestamp
++1982-00-00T00:00:00Z
-Timezone
++00:00
-Calendar
+Gregorian
-Precision
+year
 Before
 After
@@ Property / significant event: start of franchising / qualifier @@
+date basis: planned date
@@ Property / significant event: start of franchising / reference @@
+stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
quotation: Later this spring they expect to enter a new phase of growth when they become licensed to franchise in Wisconsin.
@@ Property / significant event @@
+Sale of Rocky Rococo by its founders (1988)
+Normal rank
+stated in: Founders sell their stake in Rocky Rococo (front page) (WSJ, 14 Jan 1988, p. 1)
@@ Property / research note @@
+The name came from a song on a record album; the founders met at the University of Illinois and chose Madison after touring Big Ten towns in 1973.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)
@@ Property / research note @@
+The sauce is sold in grocery shops in 15-ounce jars. A heart-shaped pizza is sold for St. Valentine's Day, one of the busiest days of the year.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Rocky Rococo (madpizza.wiki, 4 Oct 2020)
@@ Property / research note @@
+A 2024 Capital Times review of Fabiola's says Roger Brown and Pat Charley founded Rocky Rococo in 1974; Brown's own account (State Journal, December 2024) names Wayne Mosley as co-founder and Charley as an early employee who created the sausage.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Review of Fabiola's Spaghetti House and Deli, 1301 Regent St. (CT, 1 May 2024, p. O34)
+stated in: Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)
@@ Property / research note @@
+Roger Brown still owned five Madison-area and two La Crosse Rocky Rococo stores in June 2021.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Combination bookstore, bar, cafe about to open on Regent Street (madison.com, 30 Jun 2021)
@@ Property / research note @@
+The Westgate store and the mall food-court counters closed in 2017, and Party Pizzeria East in May 2018, leaving the Madison stores at Monona Drive, Prairie Lakes, Regent Street, Tree Lane and the West Beltline.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Rocky Rococo leaves East Washington after almost 40 years (madison.com, 10 Apr 2018)
@@ Property / research note @@
+Joe Brusca, the pizza-supply salesman, sold the first case of cheese to the two men who planned to open Rocky Rococo's.
+Normal rank
+stated in: WWII soldiers made pizza a Madison staple (madison.com, 28 Mar 2010)
@@ Property / research note @@
+The founders' 1988 sale: partner Wayne Hughes, brought in to finance fast growth into eight or nine cities, bought the company, 'closed 40 restaurants in one day', and its managers later salvaged it; Mosley and Brown kept their own restaurants. Party pizzerias opened on the Far West Side in 1992 and the Far East Side in 2000.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Rocky's weathering tough year in pizza trade (WSJ, 4 Jan 2009, p. 13)
@@ Property / research note @@
+Jim Pederson, a Second City actor, has been the only Rocky since 1975; The Firesign Theatre licensed the name once the chain reached about 16 stores. His favorite: the Rococo Chicago. 2009 slices: Uncle Sal's Spectacular and the Garden of Eatin'.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Drinks with... Jim Pederson (madison.com, 17 Aug 2008)
+stated in: Let's Eat for $7.70: Through thick or thin, pizza's a pleaser (madison.com, 29 Dec 2009)
@@ Property / research note @@
+th anniversary April 4, 2004 (Doug Moe): Mosley and Brown nearly named it The Pizza Factory; Brown had worked at Garcia's, a Champaign pan-pizza place; they bought Brown's Diner on Gilman Street from Orv Erickson and Darrell Cook; the name came from a Firesign Theatre character; 'Madison hadn't had pizza by the slice before'; the 1975 State Street store 'rode like Secretariat'.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Rocky Rococo's full circle at 30 (CT, 21 Apr 2004, p. 2)
@@ Property / research note @@
+After a short-lived Oscar Mayer partnership the company franchised by territory and in the 1980s 'anticipated 700 stores by 1990'; a Chicago ad agency suggested dumping the Rocky character; the founders sold to a California company, keeping several restaurants — 'franchisees of the company we founded'. In 2004: 45 Rockys; Mosley and Brown had eight in Madison, three in La Crosse, one in the Dells.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Rocky Rococo's full circle at 30 (CT, 21 Apr 2004, p. 2)
@@ Property / research note @@
+Mosley (2004): Rocky is an actual person, a Madison resident who 'once performed at The Second City'. Promotions 2000–04: the Mother Lode (smoky mozzarella stuffed to the edge, May 2000), Greatest Hits slices, the Rococo Mexicano World Tour (Taco Rococo, Fajita Steak), a 32-item salad bar, Pizza & Play game rooms at the Party Pizzerias (2002), a free Sunday State Journal with a pizza (2004).
+Normal rank
+stated in: Just ask: Is there an actual person named Rocky Rococo? (WSJ, 12 Apr 2004, p. 1)
+stated in: Rocky Rococo advertisement: the new Mother Lode pizza (WSJ, 4 May 2000, p. 60)
+stated in: Rocky Rococo advertisement: Rococo Mexicano World Tour (Taco Rococo, Fajita Steak) (CT, 5 Oct 2000, p. 61)
+stated in: Rocky Rococo advertisement: Pizza & Play family fun centers at the Party Pizzerias West and East (CT, 8 Aug 2002, p. 63)
+stated in: Rocky Rococo promotion: a free Sunday State Journal with a pizza on football Sundays (WSJ, 11 Sep 2004, p. 27)
@@ Property / research note @@
+Seven Madison stores in the May 1999 license lists (1618 W. Beltline, 4556 Monona Dr., 4002 E. Washington, 3001 N. Sherman, Westgate Mall, 1301 Regent, 7952 Tree Lane); summer 1999 'Super Summer World Tour' daily specials and 'Super Slices'.
+Normal rank
+stated in: City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol license renewals, part 1: Beer Class A, Beer Class B (#41–63) and grocery Class A; Rocky Rococo (First Madco Inc., agent Wayne Mosley) at 1618 W. Beltline Hwy., 4556 Monona Dr., 4002 E. Wash… (CT, 26 May 1999, p. 6)
+stated in: City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol license renewals, part 2: Liquor & Beer Class B (#159–458): But-Lo LLC dba Sal's Pizzeria 313 State St.; First Madco Inc. dba Rocky Rococo 7952 Tree Ln.; Mineral Spirits Inc. dba Edwardo's N… (CT, 26 May 1999, p. 7)
+stated in: Rocky Rococo 'Super Summer World Tour': a daily World Tour slice at lunch (11–2) or the day's World Tour pizza at $12.99 large / $10.99 medium; 'Now Super Slices!'; CheesyBaconBurger pizza June 17–19 and Meatworks June 21–… (WSJ, 17 Jun 1999, p. 64)
@@ Property / research note @@
+In Feb. 1992 Roger Brown's FMI ran 17 Rocky Rococos with 400 employees and $12 million in sales; the Capital Times counted nine Madison stores in April 1992 and called the Tree Lane one the city's 11th.
+Normal rank
+stated in: A big slice of success (WSJ, 27 Feb 1992, p. 39–40)
+stated in: Just the Facts (CT, 15 Apr 1992, p. 1)
+stated in: New Rococo's to offer pizza with a twist (CT, 26 Jun 1992, p. 11)
@@ Property / research note @@
+Ten Madison-area stores in the 1995 Yellow Pages, three with drive-thru service and the Middleton one delivery and take-out only; the menu offered 'Pan Style Pizza or Classic Thin', pasta, lasagna and a salad bar.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Ameritech PagesPlus Yellow Pages, Madison, 1995 edition, 'Pizza' classification, p. 639: Rocky Rococo display ad — 'Pan Style Pizza or Classic Thin', Wisconsin real cheese, city-wide delivery (limited area), pasta, lasagn… (phone book, 1995, p. 639)
@@ Property / research note @@
+Yellow Pages ad, 'Pan Style Pizza and Pasta': 'my pizza is da most superior throughout da modern world'; pizza, lasagna, spaghetti, salads, sandwiches, beer on tap, deliveries and carry-outs; five stores (the ad misprints 694 S. Whitney Way as 688). 411 W. Gilman St. was still listed.
+Normal rank
+stated in: 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)
+stated in: Madison Yellow Pages, 1980 edition (Wisconsin Telephone Co.), 'Pizza' classification, p. 450: listings Rocky Rococo Pan Style Pizza and Pasta (411 W. Gilman 256-0600, 1618 W. Beltline Hwy. 251-0304, 651 State, 694 S. Whit… (phone book, 1980, p. 450)
@@ Property / research note @@
+Fourth in the 1997 Readers' Choice pizza poll.
@@ Property / research note: Fourth in the 1997 Readers' Choice pizza poll. / rank @@
+Normal rank
+stated in: Readers' Choice Awards 1997: Good Fat & Drink (WSJ, 20 Aug 1997, p. 66)
@@ Property / research note @@
+'Best pizza in my book is Rocky Rococo's, but strictly by default' — Brooks Egerton's farewell Cheap Eats, June 1986; a Rocky Rococo character rode in a white limousine in the 1989 holiday parade.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Egerton's farewell Cheap Eats list: 'Best pizza in my book is Rocky Rococo's, but strictly by default. No further comment' (CT, 14 Jun 1986, p. 19)
+stated in: Holiday parade lineup: 'The Noid from Domino's Pizza in a classic car' and 'Rocky Rococo character in white limousine' (CT, 11 Nov 1989, p. 38)
@@ Property / research note @@
+Nine Madison-area stores in October 1985 (411 W. Gilman, 651 State, 4556 Monona Dr., 1618 N. Beltline, 694 S. Whitney Way, 4002 E. Washington, 3730 University, West Towne Mall, 3001 N. Sherman); 'R.R. is the king of pan style pizza (slice or whole pie). Also sandwiches and salad bar. Regular specials and delivery'.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1985 (WSJ, 6 Oct 1985, p. 140)
@@ Property / research note @@
+Pizza by the slice was 'pioneered locally by Rocky Rococo and still marketed here almost exclusively by that firm' (1985); Rocky's did about 45 percent of its business before 5 p.m.; co-owners Roger Brown and Wayne Mosley planned 86 new restaurants in 1985; pan-style only, white or whole-wheat crust, large 14-inch $12.52.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Madison has right stuff for making — and eating! — pizza (CT, 22 Jun 1985, p. 14)
+stated in: Mama Mia! Madison's pizza craving is monstrous / A tale of two pizzas — upscale and other (CT, 22 Jun 1985, p. 15)
@@ Property / research note @@
+'10 Madison-area locations' in October 1987; 'Pizza by the slice, or whole pie. Delivery and take-out. Most stores have inside seating.'
+Normal rank
+stated in: Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1987 (WSJ, 4 Oct 1987, p. 252)
@@ Property / research note @@
+Daily Cardinal contest winner as a newcomer in October 1974 (pan style, 4.6 of 7, 33-minute delivery) and again in 1975 for pan pizza (55.6% to Gargano's 44.4%). Sold a large slice with sausage for 80¢ at lunch in April 1974.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Pizza hits the pits; Rocky wins by default (DC, 14 Oct 1974, p. 11)
+stated in: Searching for the pie in the sky (DC, 4 Nov 1975, p. 1)
+stated in: State Street Gourmet on pan pizza at Pino's and Rocky Rococo (DC, 25 Apr 1974, p. 8)
@@ Property / research note @@
+In October 1976 Rocky Rococo's two stores, 411 W. Gilman St. and 651 State St., were the first in Madison to sell soft-serve frozen yogurt (Dannon's "Danny-Yo", in strawberry, raspberry, boysenberry, vanilla and lemon); "It's the hottest thing since pizza," Mosley and Brown said.
+Normal rank
+stated in: Frozen yogurt may thaw icy market (CT, 16 Oct 1976, p. 9)
@@ Property / research note @@
+In 1979 Oscar Mayer asked Rocky's to put its pizzas in grocery stores; Rocky's said no, since it couldn't keep the quality in a frozen pizza. Oscar Mayer instead developed two Minneapolis stores in a short-lived joint venture.
+Normal rank
+stated in: From the archive: The start of Rocky Rococo's (Madison Magazine, 1 Dec 2017)
@@ Property / research note @@
+When Rocky's opened in 1974, Gargano's quickly started making pan pizza and tried to register the usable names ("pizza in the pan", "pan pizza"), so Rocky's settled on "pan style pizza".
+Normal rank
+stated in: From the archive: The start of Rocky Rococo's (Madison Magazine, 1 Dec 2017)
@@ Property / research note @@
+Mosley said in 2016 that Pederson, as Rocky, "became literally the face of Rocky. Everything was built around him."
+Normal rank
+stated in: Man known as 'Rocky Rococo' dies (Channel3000, 8 Feb 2016)
@@ Property / official website @@
+https://rockysmadison.com/
@@ Property / official website: https://rockysmadison.com/ / rank @@
+Normal rank
@@ Property / official website: https://rockysmadison.com/ / reference @@
+stated in: Rocky Rococo (madpizza.wiki, 4 Oct 2020)

Latest revision as of 03:00, 29 October 2026

pan-style pizza chain founded in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1974

Rocky Rococo's
Rocky's
Rocky Rococo Pan Style Pizza

Language	Label	Description	Also known as
English	Rocky Rococo	pan-style pizza chain founded in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1974	Rocky Rococo's Rocky's Rocky Rococo Pan Style Pizza

Statements

0 references

4 April 1974

1 reference

Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)

quotation

With a loan they bought a restaurant at 411 W. Gilman St. in downtown Madison and on April 4, 1974, opened for business.

locality

Madison

1 reference

stated in

Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)

founded by

Roger Brown

2 references

stated in

Brown's Restaurant to Close Doors On 36 Years of Good Home Cookin' (CT, 16 Mar 1974, p. 9)

stated in

Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)

Wayne Mosley

2 references

stated in

Brown's Restaurant to Close Doors On 36 Years of Good Home Cookin' (CT, 16 Mar 1974, p. 9)

stated in

Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)

pizza style

pan style

2 references

stated in

Brown's Restaurant to Close Doors On 36 Years of Good Home Cookin' (CT, 16 Mar 1974, p. 9)

quotation

It will serve "pan pizza."

stated in

Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)

signature product

pan pizza by the slice

1 reference

stated in

Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)

quotation

It all comes down to selling pizza by the slice and using unusually good sausage.

Rococo Chicago

point in time

2008

1 reference

stated in

Drinks with... Jim Pederson (madison.com, 17 Aug 2008)

Rocky Rococo Mother Lode

2 references

stated in

Rocky Rococo advertisement: the new Mother Lode pizza (WSJ, 4 May 2000, p. 60)

stated in

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)

Rocky Rococo Cheese Works

1 reference

stated in

Pizza poll delivers (DC, 15 Oct 2003)

Rocky Rococo World Tour pizzas

1 reference

stated in

Rocky Rococo 'Super Summer World Tour': a daily World Tour slice at lunch (11–2) or the day's World Tour pizza at $12.99 large / $10.99 medium; 'Now Super Slices!'; CheesyBaconBurger pizza June 17–19 and Meatworks June 21–… (WSJ, 17 Jun 1999, p. 64)

2016

1 reference

stated in

Rocky Rococo leaves East Washington (WSJ, 15 Apr 2018, p. E5)

quotation

Jim Pederson, who was the face of Rocky Rococo on TV and the voice of Rocky's on radio for 40 years

1 reference

Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)

quotation

credits his wife, Patricia Charley, an employee at his original restaurant on Gilman Street, with creating Rocky's unique sausage

5

August 1978

1 reference

Rocky Rococo advertisement listing five restaurants (WSJ, 3 Aug 1978, p. 16)

quotation

I got five diffrint restaurants

6

1979

1 reference

Rocky Rococo founders reached their initial goal (WSJ, 14 Jan 1988, p. 13)

quotation

Four years later, there were three more Madison stores and one in La Crosse.

11

April 1982

1 reference

Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)

quotation

Today, there are six restaurants in Madison, two in La Crosse and three in Minneapolis.

6

April 1982

1 reference

Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)

43

February 1985

1 reference

Where food is fast, so is the growth (WSJ, 3 Feb 1985, p. 117)

quotation

there are 43 Rocky Rococo restaurants in four states

10

January 1988

1 reference

Founders sell their stake in Rocky Rococo (front page) (WSJ, 14 Jan 1988, p. 1)

120

1988

1 reference

A big slice of success (WSJ, 27 Feb 1992, p. 39–40)

quotation

the Rocky Rococo Pan Style Pizza chain grew to 120 restaurants nationwide by 1988

125

1 reference

Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)

quotation

At its height, there were 125 stores from Spokane, Washington, to Puerto Rico.

41

January 2009

1 reference

Rocky's weathering tough year in pizza trade (WSJ, 4 Jan 2009, p. 13)

quotation

Co-owns 11 restaurants with co-founder Roger Brown. Eight are in Madison and three in La Crosse. Another 30 restaurants are part of the Rocky Rococo Corp.

8

January 2009

1 reference

Rocky's weathering tough year in pizza trade (WSJ, 4 Jan 2009, p. 13)

39

April 2018

1 reference

Rocky Rococo leaves East Washington (WSJ, 15 Apr 2018, p. E5)

quotation

In all, there are 39 Rocky Rococo locations, all but two in Wisconsin

31

December 2024

1 reference

Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)

quotation

There are now 30 Rocky's in Wisconsin, including in Milwaukee, Oconomowoc, Wausau and Appleton, plus one in Minnesota. Four remain in the Madison area.

4

December 2024

1 reference

Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)

11

2016

1 reference

Jim Pederson, the face and personality of Rocky Rococo Pizza for decades, dies (madison.com, 9 Feb 2016)

39

2018

1 reference

Rocky Rococo leaves East Washington after almost 40 years (madison.com, 10 Apr 2018)

quotation

39 locations; headquarters in Oconomowoc; president Trey Hester

41

April 2010

1 reference

Rocky Rococo sues Madison franchisee (madison.com, 8 Apr 2010)

quotation

38 Wisconsin locations plus one each in Minnesota, Washington and Kentucky

12

September 2006

1 reference

Rocky Rococo help-wanted ad: "We own/operate 12 Rocky Rococos mostly in the Madison area. Call Wayne" (CT, 13 Sep 2006, p. 27)

quotation

We own/operate 12 Rocky Rococos mostly in the Madison area

7

May 2000

2 references

City of Madison license renewal applications, 2000–01 (pages 12–13) (CT, 25 May 2000, p. 12)

stated in

Rocky Rococo's Locations (snapshot of Dec. 4, 2000) (rockyrococo.com, 4 Dec 2000)

8

May 2002

2 references

City of Madison license renewal applications, 2002–03 (pages 4–5) (CT, 21 May 2002, p. 4)

stated in

Rocky Rococo's Locations (snapshot of Dec. 9, 2002) (rockyrococo.com, 9 Dec 2002)

45

April 2004

1 reference

Rocky Rococo's full circle at 30 (CT, 21 Apr 2004, p. 2)

5

point in time

1980

1 reference

stated in

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)

1982

1 reference

Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)

quotation

Later this spring they expect to enter a new phase of growth when they become licensed to franchise in Wisconsin.

Sale of Rocky Rococo by its founders (1988)

1 reference

stated in

Founders sell their stake in Rocky Rococo (front page) (WSJ, 14 Jan 1988, p. 1)

research note

The name came from a song on a record album; the founders met at the University of Illinois and chose Madison after touring Big Ten towns in 1973.

1 reference

stated in

Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out (WSJ, 4 Apr 1982, p. 32)

The sauce is sold in grocery shops in 15-ounce jars. A heart-shaped pizza is sold for St. Valentine's Day, one of the busiest days of the year.

1 reference

stated in

Rocky Rococo (madpizza.wiki, 4 Oct 2020)

A 2024 Capital Times review of Fabiola's says Roger Brown and Pat Charley founded Rocky Rococo in 1974; Brown's own account (State Journal, December 2024) names Wayne Mosley as co-founder and Charley as an early employee who created the sausage.

2 references

stated in

Review of Fabiola's Spaghetti House and Deli, 1301 Regent St. (CT, 1 May 2024, p. O34)

stated in

Roger Brown sells his last restaurant after co-founding the company in 1974 (WSJ, 27 Dec 2024, p. A1, A6)

Roger Brown still owned five Madison-area and two La Crosse Rocky Rococo stores in June 2021.

1 reference

stated in

Combination bookstore, bar, cafe about to open on Regent Street (madison.com, 30 Jun 2021)

The Westgate store and the mall food-court counters closed in 2017, and Party Pizzeria East in May 2018, leaving the Madison stores at Monona Drive, Prairie Lakes, Regent Street, Tree Lane and the West Beltline.

1 reference

stated in

Rocky Rococo leaves East Washington after almost 40 years (madison.com, 10 Apr 2018)

Joe Brusca, the pizza-supply salesman, sold the first case of cheese to the two men who planned to open Rocky Rococo's.

1 reference

stated in

WWII soldiers made pizza a Madison staple (madison.com, 28 Mar 2010)

The founders' 1988 sale: partner Wayne Hughes, brought in to finance fast growth into eight or nine cities, bought the company, 'closed 40 restaurants in one day', and its managers later salvaged it; Mosley and Brown kept their own restaurants. Party pizzerias opened on the Far West Side in 1992 and the Far East Side in 2000.

1 reference

stated in

Rocky's weathering tough year in pizza trade (WSJ, 4 Jan 2009, p. 13)

Jim Pederson, a Second City actor, has been the only Rocky since 1975; The Firesign Theatre licensed the name once the chain reached about 16 stores. His favorite: the Rococo Chicago. 2009 slices: Uncle Sal's Spectacular and the Garden of Eatin'.

2 references

stated in

Drinks with... Jim Pederson (madison.com, 17 Aug 2008)

stated in

Let's Eat for $7.70: Through thick or thin, pizza's a pleaser (madison.com, 29 Dec 2009)

30th anniversary April 4, 2004 (Doug Moe): Mosley and Brown nearly named it The Pizza Factory; Brown had worked at Garcia's, a Champaign pan-pizza place; they bought Brown's Diner on Gilman Street from Orv Erickson and Darrell Cook; the name came from a Firesign Theatre character; 'Madison hadn't had pizza by the slice before'; the 1975 State Street store 'rode like Secretariat'.

1 reference

stated in

Rocky Rococo's full circle at 30 (CT, 21 Apr 2004, p. 2)

After a short-lived Oscar Mayer partnership the company franchised by territory and in the 1980s 'anticipated 700 stores by 1990'; a Chicago ad agency suggested dumping the Rocky character; the founders sold to a California company, keeping several restaurants — 'franchisees of the company we founded'. In 2004: 45 Rockys; Mosley and Brown had eight in Madison, three in La Crosse, one in the Dells.

1 reference

stated in

Rocky Rococo's full circle at 30 (CT, 21 Apr 2004, p. 2)

Mosley (2004): Rocky is an actual person, a Madison resident who 'once performed at The Second City'. Promotions 2000–04: the Mother Lode (smoky mozzarella stuffed to the edge, May 2000), Greatest Hits slices, the Rococo Mexicano World Tour (Taco Rococo, Fajita Steak), a 32-item salad bar, Pizza & Play game rooms at the Party Pizzerias (2002), a free Sunday State Journal with a pizza (2004).

5 references

stated in

Just ask: Is there an actual person named Rocky Rococo? (WSJ, 12 Apr 2004, p. 1)

stated in

Rocky Rococo advertisement: the new Mother Lode pizza (WSJ, 4 May 2000, p. 60)

stated in

Rocky Rococo advertisement: Rococo Mexicano World Tour (Taco Rococo, Fajita Steak) (CT, 5 Oct 2000, p. 61)

stated in

Rocky Rococo advertisement: Pizza & Play family fun centers at the Party Pizzerias West and East (CT, 8 Aug 2002, p. 63)

stated in

Rocky Rococo promotion: a free Sunday State Journal with a pizza on football Sundays (WSJ, 11 Sep 2004, p. 27)

Seven Madison stores in the May 1999 license lists (1618 W. Beltline, 4556 Monona Dr., 4002 E. Washington, 3001 N. Sherman, Westgate Mall, 1301 Regent, 7952 Tree Lane); summer 1999 'Super Summer World Tour' daily specials and 'Super Slices'.

3 references

stated in

City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol license renewals, part 1: Beer Class A, Beer Class B (#41–63) and grocery Class A; Rocky Rococo (First Madco Inc., agent Wayne Mosley) at 1618 W. Beltline Hwy., 4556 Monona Dr., 4002 E. Wash… (CT, 26 May 1999, p. 6)

stated in

City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol license renewals, part 2: Liquor & Beer Class B (#159–458): But-Lo LLC dba Sal's Pizzeria 313 State St.; First Madco Inc. dba Rocky Rococo 7952 Tree Ln.; Mineral Spirits Inc. dba Edwardo's N… (CT, 26 May 1999, p. 7)

stated in

Rocky Rococo 'Super Summer World Tour': a daily World Tour slice at lunch (11–2) or the day's World Tour pizza at $12.99 large / $10.99 medium; 'Now Super Slices!'; CheesyBaconBurger pizza June 17–19 and Meatworks June 21–… (WSJ, 17 Jun 1999, p. 64)

In Feb. 1992 Roger Brown's FMI ran 17 Rocky Rococos with 400 employees and $12 million in sales; the Capital Times counted nine Madison stores in April 1992 and called the Tree Lane one the city's 11th.

3 references

stated in

A big slice of success (WSJ, 27 Feb 1992, p. 39–40)

stated in

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

stated in

New Rococo's to offer pizza with a twist (CT, 26 Jun 1992, p. 11)

Ten Madison-area stores in the 1995 Yellow Pages, three with drive-thru service and the Middleton one delivery and take-out only; the menu offered 'Pan Style Pizza or Classic Thin', pasta, lasagna and a salad bar.

1 reference

stated in

Ameritech PagesPlus Yellow Pages, Madison, 1995 edition, 'Pizza' classification, p. 639: Rocky Rococo display ad — 'Pan Style Pizza or Classic Thin', Wisconsin real cheese, city-wide delivery (limited area), pasta, lasagn… (phone book, 1995, p. 639)

1980 Yellow Pages ad, 'Pan Style Pizza and Pasta': 'my pizza is da most superior throughout da modern world'; pizza, lasagna, spaghetti, salads, sandwiches, beer on tap, deliveries and carry-outs; five stores (the ad misprints 694 S. Whitney Way as 688). 411 W. Gilman St. was still listed.

2 references

stated in

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)

stated in

Madison Yellow Pages, 1980 edition (Wisconsin Telephone Co.), 'Pizza' classification, p. 450: listings Rocky Rococo Pan Style Pizza and Pasta (411 W. Gilman 256-0600, 1618 W. Beltline Hwy. 251-0304, 651 State, 694 S. Whit… (phone book, 1980, p. 450)

Fourth in the 1997 Readers' Choice pizza poll.

1 reference

stated in

Readers' Choice Awards 1997: Good Fat & Drink (WSJ, 20 Aug 1997, p. 66)

'Best pizza in my book is Rocky Rococo's, but strictly by default' — Brooks Egerton's farewell Cheap Eats, June 1986; a Rocky Rococo character rode in a white limousine in the 1989 holiday parade.

2 references

stated in

Egerton's farewell Cheap Eats list: 'Best pizza in my book is Rocky Rococo's, but strictly by default. No further comment' (CT, 14 Jun 1986, p. 19)

stated in

Holiday parade lineup: 'The Noid from Domino's Pizza in a classic car' and 'Rocky Rococo character in white limousine' (CT, 11 Nov 1989, p. 38)

Nine Madison-area stores in October 1985 (411 W. Gilman, 651 State, 4556 Monona Dr., 1618 N. Beltline, 694 S. Whitney Way, 4002 E. Washington, 3730 University, West Towne Mall, 3001 N. Sherman); 'R.R. is the king of pan style pizza (slice or whole pie). Also sandwiches and salad bar. Regular specials and delivery'.

1 reference

stated in

Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1985 (WSJ, 6 Oct 1985, p. 140)

Pizza by the slice was 'pioneered locally by Rocky Rococo and still marketed here almost exclusively by that firm' (1985); Rocky's did about 45 percent of its business before 5 p.m.; co-owners Roger Brown and Wayne Mosley planned 86 new restaurants in 1985; pan-style only, white or whole-wheat crust, large 14-inch $12.52.

2 references

stated in

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

stated in

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

'10 Madison-area locations' in October 1987; 'Pizza by the slice, or whole pie. Delivery and take-out. Most stores have inside seating.'

1 reference

stated in

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

Daily Cardinal contest winner as a newcomer in October 1974 (pan style, 4.6 of 7, 33-minute delivery) and again in 1975 for pan pizza (55.6% to Gargano's 44.4%). Sold a large slice with sausage for 80¢ at lunch in April 1974.

3 references

stated in

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

stated in

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

stated in

State Street Gourmet on pan pizza at Pino's and Rocky Rococo (DC, 25 Apr 1974, p. 8)

In October 1976 Rocky Rococo's two stores, 411 W. Gilman St. and 651 State St., were the first in Madison to sell soft-serve frozen yogurt (Dannon's "Danny-Yo", in strawberry, raspberry, boysenberry, vanilla and lemon); "It's the hottest thing since pizza," Mosley and Brown said.

1 reference

stated in

Frozen yogurt may thaw icy market (CT, 16 Oct 1976, p. 9)

In 1979 Oscar Mayer asked Rocky's to put its pizzas in grocery stores; Rocky's said no, since it couldn't keep the quality in a frozen pizza. Oscar Mayer instead developed two Minneapolis stores in a short-lived joint venture.

1 reference

stated in

From the archive: The start of Rocky Rococo's (Madison Magazine, 1 Dec 2017)

When Rocky's opened in 1974, Gargano's quickly started making pan pizza and tried to register the usable names ("pizza in the pan", "pan pizza"), so Rocky's settled on "pan style pizza".

1 reference

stated in

From the archive: The start of Rocky Rococo's (Madison Magazine, 1 Dec 2017)

Mosley said in 2016 that Pederson, as Rocky, "became literally the face of Rocky. Everything was built around him."

1 reference

stated in

Man known as 'Rocky Rococo' dies (Channel3000, 8 Feb 2016)

official website

https://rockysmadison.com/

1 reference

stated in

Rocky Rococo (madpizza.wiki, 4 Oct 2020)