Company Profile
Godfather's Pizza
Company Overview
Godfather’s Pizza was founded in Omaha, Nebraska in the fall of 1973. Willy Theisen and Greg Johnson
together saw an opportunity to combine their two businesses. Greg owned a pizza restaurant next door
to Willy’s Wild Willy’s bar. They knocked a hole in the wall and opened up a space between the two
establishments, and the rest, as they say, is pizza history.
Godfather’s Pizza was the first pizza company to recognize that customers were hungry for a pizza with a
thicker, chewier crust. To top them off, the pizzas were piled high with fresh, high quality ingredients.
Because of the abundance of toppings, mozzarella cheese was piled on top to keep it all in place. A great
crust. A distinctive pizza sauce. Toppings piled on. No skimping on cheese. It was a formula for success.
Shortly after joining forces, Willy bought out Greg Johnson and took the company to new heights.
Within 10 years of opening, Willy had turned Godfather’s Pizza into the country’s third largest pizza
operation in sales, behind Pizza Hut and Domino’s.
Over the years, new product lines were added, such as a golden-crust and thin crust pizza; the first ever
Jumbo pizza, measuring a full 18” in width; the concept of the Family Feast, bundling together pizza and
sides to serve the entire family; and several one-of-a-kind specialty pizzas, like Taco and Hawaiian.
Willy sold the company in 1984, and after different ownerships, the company went private in 1988 when
a team of corporate officials, led by Ron Gartlan and Herman Cain, succeeded in a leveraged buyout of
Godfather’s Pizza from The Pillsbury Company.
Today, Ron Gartlan is the CEO and primary owner. There are approximately 640 corporate and
franchised locations across 43 states ranging from traditional dine-in restaurants to express outlets such
as airports, convenience stores and college campuses. The heritage of serving the best pizza around that
built this company continues today.
Company History
THE BACKSTORY
HOW WE GOT INTO THE BIZ…
“The year is 1973, do you remember back then? I tell one of my crew, Willy, to find a place where me and my guys can hangout, relax and make plans for future endeavors. Willy does just that. Our new “social club” is great, except my wise guys want food too. So, Willy knocks a hole in the wall and builds a kitchen. He starts making pizzas and, in a matter of days, the aroma gets around da neighborhood. “Civilians” start comin’ by, askin’ to buy pizza. Us, being good neighbors, oblige. And before ya know it we got a line around the block! Next thing I know, we’re goin’ legit! We start makin’ more money in da pizza business than our other…stuff. I tell Willy to run with it! Now, we’re in da pizza business full time!”
Benefits
Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
401k with Company Match
Paid Time Off
Tuition Assistance
Employee Food Discount