Our Story

About Pizza inn

Since 1999, Pizza inn has been crafting stone-fired pizza with passion and precision in the heart of United States — using time-honored recipes and the finest local ingredients.

Pizza inn kitchen — handcrafted pizza being prepared
1999
Est. Dunn, NC
Who We Are

A Pizza inn Built on Passion

Pizza inn began with a simple dream — to bring the authentic taste of stone-fired pizza to Dunn, NC and the wider United States. Founded in 1999 by the Ricci family, our restaurant has always been driven by one belief: great pizza starts with great ingredients.

We source our flour from heritage mills, our tomatoes from sun-drenched farms, and our cheeses from artisan dairies. Every pizza that leaves our kitchen carries over two decades of craft, care, and culinary tradition.

Today, Pizza inn serves thousands of loyal guests each month, from family dinners to corporate catering events — yet every order still carries the same handcrafted attention to detail that defined us in 1999.

Stone-Fired Ovens

900°F stone deck ovens give every crust its signature char and chew.

Fresh Ingredients

Locally sourced produce, never frozen, delivered daily to our kitchen.

Family Heritage

Three generations of the Ricci family pour love into every recipe.

Award-Winning

Named Best Pizza in NC four times by regional food critics.

25+
Years in Business
50k+
Pizzas Served
40+
Menu Items
4.9
Average Rating
What Drives Us

Our Mission & Values

At Pizza inn, everything we do flows from four core values that have guided us since the very first day we opened our doors.

Crafted with Love

Every dough ball is hand-stretched, every sauce is slow-simmered. We believe you can taste the difference when food is made with genuine care.

Quality First

We never compromise on ingredients. From the finest semolina flour to hand-picked basil, quality is non-negotiable at Pizza inn.

Community First

We are proud members of the Dunn, NC community. We partner with local farms and support neighborhood events year-round.

Excellence Always

We hold ourselves to the highest standard — from the cleanliness of our kitchen to the warmth of our service. Excellence isn't optional.

Our Journey

A Rich History of Pizza inn

From a small family kitchen in Dunn, NC to a beloved institution — here's how Pizza inn grew across the decades.

1999

The Doors Open

Marco Ricci opens the first Pizza inn location at 1138 W Broad St, Dunn, NC — armed with his grandmother's Neapolitan dough recipe and a secondhand stone oven.

2004

First Award

Pizza inn wins "Best Pizza in North Carolina" at the Carolina Food Awards — putting us on the map and tripling our weekend waitlist almost overnight.

2009

Catering Launch

Responding to demand from corporate clients and wedding planners, Pizza inn launches its full-service catering division serving events across United States.

2015

Kitchen Expansion

We triple our kitchen footprint and install two new stone deck ovens, allowing us to serve over 500 covers a day while maintaining our handcrafted standards.

2020

Online Ordering

Pizza inn launches its digital ordering platform, making it easier than ever for guests across United States to enjoy stone-fired pizza from the comfort of home.

2024

25 Years & Counting

Pizza inn celebrates 25 years of stone-fired excellence — still family-owned, still handcrafted, and still passionate about every single pizza we make.

The People Behind the Pizza

Meet Our Team

Our talented and dedicated team brings decades of culinary passion to every order — from kitchen to your table.

Marco Ricci — Founder and Head Chef of Pizza inn

Marco Ricci

Founder & Head Chef

With 30+ years of culinary experience, Marco's Neapolitan recipes and stone-fired technique are the soul of Pizza inn.

Sofia Ricci — Operations Manager at Pizza inn

Sofia Ricci

Operations Manager

Marco's daughter and the backbone of day-to-day operations, Sofia ensures every Pizza inn experience is seamless from first bite to final thank-you.

James Carter — Sous Chef at Pizza inn

James Carter

Sous Chef

Trained in Italy and NC, James brings bold creativity to Pizza inn's seasonal specials while preserving the authentic stone-fired foundation Marco built.

Priya Nair — Catering & Events Lead at Pizza inn

Priya Nair

Catering & Events Lead

With a background in event hospitality, Priya orchestrates every Pizza inn catering engagement — from intimate gatherings to large-scale corporate events.

Ready to Experience Pizza inn?

Taste the Craft Behind Every Slice

From our stone-fired ovens to your table — order your favorite Pizza inn pizza today and experience over 25 years of handcrafted perfection.