Our Story

From Italy to Canada: A Pizza Legacy

The Pizzaiolo Journey

The Pizzaiolo story began in 1940 when the Rossi family brought their authentic pizza-making traditions from Naples to Toronto. Starting with a small pizzeria in Little Italy, the family focused on using only the freshest ingredients and traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Through the decades, Pizzaiolo has grown from a beloved neighborhood gem to a respected name across Canada, but our commitment to quality has never wavered. We still hand-make our dough daily, use the finest local and imported ingredients, and bake each pizza to perfection in our specialty ovens.

Today, the third generation of the Rossi family continues this proud tradition, honoring our Italian roots while embracing modern innovations like our expanded vegan menu and sustainable practices.

Pizzaiolo history

Our Core Values

Authenticity

We stay true to traditional Italian recipes and techniques while adding our own Canadian touch.

Quality

We never compromise on ingredients, using only the freshest produce and finest imported Italian specialties.

Community

Each Pizzaiolo location is deeply connected to its neighborhood, supporting local causes and events.

Sustainability

We're committed to environmentally friendly practices in all aspects of our business.

Fresh ingredients

The Finest Ingredients

What makes Pizzaiolo special is our unwavering commitment to quality ingredients. Our fresh, never-frozen dough is made daily in each location, using premium flour imported from Italy.

Our signature tomato sauce features San Marzano tomatoes, and we use only the best mozzarella and other carefully selected cheeses. For toppings, we prioritize locally sourced vegetables and ethically raised meats whenever possible.

We're also proud to offer an expanding range of plant-based options, including our house-made vegan cheese that delivers the creamy texture and flavor our customers love.

Meet Our Team

Team member 1

Maria Rossi

CEO & Co-Founder

Third-generation pizza maker who expanded Pizzaiolo across Canada while maintaining our traditional quality standards.

Team member 2

Sofia Conti

Head Chef

Trained in Naples, Sofia oversees our menu development and ensures authentic Italian flavors in every dish.

Team member 3

Marco Bianchi

Operations Director

With 15 years at Pizzaiolo, Marco ensures consistent quality across all our locations while mentoring new staff.

Team member 4

Alessandra Rizzo

Sustainability Manager

Leading our eco-friendly initiatives, Alessandra works with suppliers to reduce our environmental footprint.

Team member 5

Gabriel Thompson

Community Relations

Connecting Pizzaiolo with local communities through partnerships, events, and charitable initiatives.

Our Milestones

1940

First Pizzaiolo Opened

The Rossi family opened the first Pizzaiolo location in Toronto's Little Italy.

1965

Expansion Begins

Second-generation owner Antonio Rossi opened three more locations across Toronto.

1988

National Recognition

Pizzaiolo won "Best Traditional Pizza in Canada" at the International Pizza Expo.

2005

Nationwide Expansion

The brand expanded to Vancouver, Montreal, and other major Canadian cities.

2018

Sustainability Commitment

Launched our comprehensive sustainability program, replacing all packaging with eco-friendly alternatives.

2023

Plant-Based Menu

Introduced our expanded vegan pizza line to meet growing customer demand for plant-based options.

Join the Pizzaiolo Family

Whether you're looking for a career opportunity or interested in franchising, we'd love to hear from you.