Godfather’s Pizza: Bringing People Together Through Great Pizza
Since 1973, Godfather’s Pizza has focused on serving high-quality, flavor-packed pizza while staying true to its values of community, integrity and exceptional customer experiences. What began inside an Omaha bar has grown over five decades, with a mission centered on bringing people together through great pizza and giving back to the communities that support the brand.
The story began when Willy Theisen and Greg Johnson opened the first location inside Willy’s bar in Omaha, Nebraska. Their bold, topping-loaded pizzas quickly gained popularity, leading to franchising just one year later and setting the stage for rapid national growth. By 1982, the brand had expanded to 632 franchise locations, becoming the second-largest pizza chain in the United States.
During this period, the introduction of the Godfather character and the iconic slogan “An offer you can’t refuse®” helped define its identity. Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, the business continued to evolve with innovations such as Godfather’s Pizza Express, a format that brought quick, fresh pizza to convenience stores.
A new era of leadership began in 1995 with President and CEO Ron Gartlan, who introduced the message “Pizza the way pizza was meant to be,” reinforcing a dedication to quality ingredients and handcrafted pizza.
Staying Connected to Customers
Providing an excellent customer experience begins with consistency, communication and genuine care. The team is trained to deliver fast, friendly service and anticipate customer needs before issues arise.
Listening also plays an important role in that experience. Feedback gathered through in-person interactions, digital platforms and support channels helps guide improvements to the menu, operations and overall experience. When challenges occur, employees work to respond quickly and make things right.
Quality remains central to that approach. From the ingredients used to the accuracy and timeliness of each order, the goal is to provide customers with what they expect while creating an atmosphere where they feel valued.
That commitment reflects a broader best practice the organization believes other businesses can benefit from: staying relentlessly connected to customers. Consistent and meaningful touchpoints help businesses understand what is working, what is missing and what customers value most. Turning those insights into action can strengthen loyalty while helping guide future decisions.
Investing in Employees
That focus on people extends to employees, who are part of “Da Family,” a culture built around respect, teamwork and a welcoming atmosphere.
Team members receive clear training, hands-on development and ongoing coaching to help build the skills and confidence they need. They are encouraged to share ideas and take initiative, while internal advancement opportunities provide ways to continue growing within the organization.
The Tuition Assistance Program further supports employee development by helping team members pursue higher education while building their careers. Achievements and hard work are also recognized and celebrated, helping create an environment where employees feel valued and supported.
By empowering its teams and creating opportunities for growth, the organization works to build motivated employees who are committed to delivering an exceptional customer experience.
Supporting the Communities It Serves
Community involvement is an important part of the organization’s work. One of its largest partnerships is with Boys Town. The company became a national sponsor in 2004 and has featured the Boys Town National Hotline on millions of pizza boxes, helping ensure families in crisis know where to turn for support.
The team also invests time and talent in local youth initiatives by participating in school and nonprofit events, providing meals, volunteering at activities and supporting programs focused on education, leadership and community engagement.
That involvement includes local fundraisers, food drives and charitable events that directly benefit families in need. Through food donations, event support and employee volunteerism, the goal is to contribute time, products and resources in ways that make a meaningful difference.
Earlier community-focused efforts have included programs such as “Math by the Slice,” connecting the brand with schools and families.
Connected to Greater Omaha
As a Greater Omaha Chamber member, Godfather’s Pizza has built relationships with local leaders, small businesses and organizations that share its commitment to Omaha’s success.
Through Chamber events and networking, those connections have opened opportunities for partnerships that support business goals, from enhancing the customer experience to participating in community programs.
Chamber-led initiatives and volunteer opportunities have also helped support local families, youth programs and nonprofit efforts. The Chamber’s focus on building a stronger, more connected Omaha aligns closely with the values that guide the organization and its commitment to giving back.
Those relationships provide opportunities to continue growing, serving and staying deeply rooted in the community that has supported the business from the beginning.
More Than 50 Years of Pizza and Community
In 2023, the brand celebrated its 50th anniversary, marking five decades of serving high-quality, flavor-packed pizza while remaining true to its founding values of community, integrity and exceptional customer experiences.
Its operating philosophy continues to center on quality, community and creating experiences that bring people together. From the ingredients chosen to the service delivered, consistency, integrity and genuine hospitality guide daily operations.
The goal remains simple: make every customer feel valued, every employee feel empowered and every community served feel a positive impact. As the organization continues forward, its mission remains focused on bringing people together through great pizza and giving back to the communities that support the brand.
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