From Italy to Canada: Our Heritage

Pizzaiolo's story begins in Naples, Italy, where our founder Alessandro Martino mastered the art of pizza making before bringing his expertise to Canada in the 1940s. What started as a small, family-owned pizzeria has grown into a beloved Canadian brand with over 40 locations, while maintaining the same commitment to authentic Italian traditions.

Our name—Pizzaiolo—means "pizza maker" in Italian, reflecting our dedication to the craft of creating perfect artisan pizzas using time-honored techniques passed down through generations.

Our Values

Authenticity

We honor traditional Italian pizza-making methods, using techniques that have been perfected over generations. Our recipes stay true to their Italian roots while embracing local Canadian ingredients.

Quality

We never compromise on ingredients. From our imported Italian flour to our house-made sauce, we select only the finest components for our pizzas. No frozen dough, no shortcuts—just honest, premium quality.

Community

We believe pizza brings people together. Each Pizzaiolo location is deeply connected to its neighborhood, supporting local initiatives and creating a welcoming space for families and friends to gather and share meals.

Inclusivity

We believe everyone deserves great pizza. That's why we've developed delicious options for various dietary needs, including vegan, gluten-free, and cauliflower crust pizzas that meet our high standards for taste and quality.

The Pizzaiolo Approach

What sets Pizzaiolo apart is our unwavering commitment to the artisanal process. We believe great pizza can't be rushed or mass-produced.

Fresh dough made daily in each location
72-hour fermentation process for perfect texture and flavor
Hand-stretched, never machine-pressed
Sauce made from scratch using Italian San Marzano tomatoes
High-heat ovens that achieve the perfect char and chew

Meet Our Team

The passionate people behind your favorite pizzas

Maria Rossi

Chief Executive Officer

With 20+ years in the restaurant industry, Maria leads Pizzaiolo with passion and vision, ensuring we stay true to our Italian roots while embracing innovation.

Sofia Bianchi

Executive Chef

Trained in Naples, Sofia oversees our culinary operations, developing new recipes while ensuring every Pizzaiolo location maintains our high standards of authenticity and quality.

Marco Esposito

Master Pizzaiolo

With 30 years of experience making pizza, Marco trains all our pizzaiolos in the traditional techniques that make our dough and stretching methods so special.

Elena Romano

Head of Menu Development

Elena leads our culinary innovation, creating our vegan and gluten-free options that maintain the authentic Pizzaiolo taste while accommodating diverse dietary needs.

Roberto Martino

Brand Ambassador & Culinary Historian

As grandson of our founder, Roberto preserves our rich heritage while sharing the story of authentic Italian pizza with a new generation of pizza lovers across Canada.

Our Journey

1947

Alessandro Martino opens the first Pizzaiolo location in Toronto, introducing authentic Neapolitan pizza to Canada.

1960s

As pizza gains popularity across North America, Pizzaiolo remains committed to traditional methods while many competitors adopt shortcuts.

1985

Expansion begins with the opening of three new locations across the Greater Toronto Area.

2003

Pizzaiolo launches its cauliflower crust, becoming one of the first major pizza brands to offer this option.

2010

Our 20th location opens, marking a milestone in our growth while maintaining our artisanal approach.

2021

Introduction of our comprehensive plant-based menu, including vegan cheese developed exclusively for Pizzaiolo.

Today

With over 40 locations across Canada, Pizzaiolo continues to honor Italian traditions while embracing innovation and sustainability.

Our Story