1980s (decade)

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Revision as of 20:56, 30 September 2026 by Jacques (talk | contribs) (Add the chains (Little Caesar's, Domino's) from the newspaper research; note on the Domino's sentence; earlier text kept)

The 1980s pizza scene in Madison saw large growth in Rocky's and Pizza Pit locations. Domino's, which had become a major nationwide chain, still hadn't really entered Madison's market. (The newspapers show otherwise: Domino's opened its first Madison store in 1983 and had seven by 1986, though it was only third in the market[1]. Little Caesar's arrived in 1982[2].)

1980
  • May: Rocky Rococo is licensed at three addresses, including 4002 E. Washington Ave.[3]
1981
1982
  • A Sun Prairie family opens the first Madison Little Caesar's franchise, on Cottage Grove Road[2].
  • February: Pizza Pit advertises for staff for its new store in East Towne Mall[6].
  • April: Rocky Rococo has 11 restaurants, six of them in Madison, and is about to start franchising[7].
1983
  • April: Little Caesar's has two stores, 4664 Cottage Grove Rd. and one in Sun Prairie[8].
  • September: the first Madison Domino's is hiring at 525 University Ave.[9]
  • April: Pizza Pit forms a company to sell franchises. It has nine stores in the Madison area[10].
  • May: Rocky Rococo applies for a licence at West Towne Mall[11].
  • June: Pizza Pit opens two stores in Green Bay[12].
1984
1985
  • February: Rocky Rococo has 43 restaurants in four states[16].
1986
  • August: Domino's has seven Madison outlets but only 8 percent of the market, behind Pizza Pit and Rocky Rococo[1].
  • Public Storage Inc. takes a stake in Rocky Rococo[17].
  • George Backus, founder of Buck’s Pizza, dies[18].
1987
  • February: a new Pizza Pit at 4527 Cottage Grove Rd.[19]
  • May: Edwardo's applies for a licence at 6601 Mineral Point Rd.[20]
1988
1989
  • June: Pizza Pit is in a new headquarters building at 4253 Argosy Ct.[22]

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gaskill, W. (1986, August 6). "Domino's exec says No. 3 doesn't cut it." The Capital Times. p. 10. Newspapers.com image 521443245.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ivey, M. (1996, September 12). "Franchisee sues Little Caesar's." The Capital Times. p. 3. Newspapers.com image 522283167.
  3. ↑ (1980, May 7). City of Madison licence list, May 1980. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 37.
  4. ↑ (1981, April 12). Help-wanted advertisement, "Apply in person Supreme Pizza, 912 E. Johnson". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 54. Seen in search results only; the page has not been read.
  5. ↑ (1981, May 14). Supreme Fresh Pizza grand-opening advertisement, 2503 E. Washington Ave. and 912 E. Johnson St. The Capital Times. p. 59. Newspapers.com image 520106654.
  6. ↑ (1982, February 27). Help-wanted advertisements for the new Pizza Pit in East Towne Mall. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 25–26. Seen in search results only; the page has not been read.
  7. ↑ Martin, C. (1982, April 4). "Through pizza's thick and thin, Rocky Rococo Corp. pans out." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 32. Newspapers.com image 404415972.
  8. ↑ (1983, April 13). Little Caesars coupon advertisement, two locations. The Capital Times. p. 51. Newspapers.com image 521381493.
  9. ↑ (1983, September 19). Classified advertisement, Domino's Pizza, 525 University Ave. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 28. Cited on an earlier version of this wiki; not re-read.
  10. ↑ (1983, April 1). Market Memo: Pizza Pit Ltd. forms Pizza Pit Investment Enterprises. The Capital Times. p. 10. Newspapers.com image 521375378.
  11. ↑ (1983, May 6). City of Madison licence list, May 1983. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 32.
  12. ↑ (1983, June 12). Business people: managers named for two new Pizza Pit stores in Green Bay. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 61. Newspapers.com image 404645680.
  13. ↑ (2000, September 26). "Wilson, David Phillips." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 6. Newspapers.com image 407417983.
  14. ↑ (1984, July 30). People in business: Pizza Pit staff changes and new store at 2803 University Avenue. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 4. Newspapers.com image 402540364.
  15. ↑ (1984, August 28). Pizzeria Uno coming to Madison in November at 222 W. Gorham St. The Capital Times. p. 6. Newspapers.com image 520341374.
  16. ↑ Simms, P. (1985, February 3). "Where food is fast, so is the growth." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 117. Newspapers.com image 402044078.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Riddle, J. (1988, January 14). Founders sell their stake in Rocky Rococo (front page). Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1. Newspapers.com image 400698733.
  18. ↑ Moe, D. (2010, June 8). "Doug Moe: Ald. Sanborn buys Buck's Pizza, but won't mess with success." madison.com.
  19. ↑ (1987, February 25). Business people: manager named for new Pizza Pit at 4527 Cottage Grove Road. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 26. Newspapers.com image 405050514.
  20. ↑ (1987, May 12). Licence application, Edwardo's, 6601 Mineral Point Rd. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 22. Newspapers.com image 402453528.
  21. ↑ (1988, February 7). Help-wanted advertisements, Mama D's Pizza (1018 N. Sherman Ave.) and The Pizza Oven (6016 Monona Dr.). Wisconsin State Journal. p. 42. Newspapers.com image 401499623.
  22. ↑ (1989, June 4). Help-wanted advertisement, Pizza Pit corporate headquarters, 4253 Argosy Court. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 33. Newspapers.com image 404579230.
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