Our Story

Crafted With Passion,
Served With Pride

From a small family kitchen to the heart of St Louis Park — discover how Punch Pizza became Minnesota's go-to destination for authentic Neapolitan-style pizza.

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Interior of Punch Pizza restaurant with warm lighting

15+ Years of Craft

Who We Are

The Punch Pizza Story

It all began in 2009 when founder Marco Delano returned from Naples, Italy with one burning ambition: to bring the real, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza experience to the Twin Cities. Armed with nothing but a family recipe, a rented oven, and relentless determination, he opened the first Punch Pizza location in St Louis Park.

The name "Punch" reflects our philosophy — bold flavors that hit you with impact, every single bite. We source the finest San Marzano tomatoes, use 00-flour dough fermented for 48 hours, and fire each pie at 900°F in our imported Italian ovens for the perfect charred crust.

Over fifteen years later, we're still family-owned, still hand-crafting every pizza, and still obsessed with one thing: making your best pizza experience ever.

Family-owned & operated since 2009
Certified Neapolitan pizza-making techniques
Locally sourced, seasonal ingredients
Wood-fired ovens imported from Naples, Italy

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What Drives Us

Our Mission & Goals

Every pizza we make is guided by a set of core principles that have never changed since day one.

Uncompromising Quality

Every ingredient is hand-selected. Every dough ball is weighed. Every pizza is checked before it reaches your table.

Community First

We partner with local farmers, hire from the neighborhood, and give back through food drives and community events.

Sustainable Practices

Eco-friendly packaging, zero food-waste initiatives, and energy-efficient ovens keep our footprint as small as our carbon impact.

Joyful Experience

From the moment you walk in to your last bite, we're committed to making every Punch Pizza visit one to remember.

Our Journey

A Decade & a Half of Pizza

2009

The First Oven Fires Up

Marco Delano opens the original Punch Pizza in St Louis Park, MN — just 10 tables, one oven, and a big dream.

2012

Voted Twin Cities' Best Pizza

City Pages names Punch Pizza the best Neapolitan pizza in the Twin Cities — the first of many recognitions.

2015

Menu Expansion

We introduced our seasonal rotating menu, gluten-free crust options, and craft cocktail pairings for a full dining experience.

2018

Farm-to-Table Partnership

Launched our local farm partnership program, sourcing over 60% of produce from Minnesota farms within 100 miles.

2021

Online Ordering Launch

We launched our online ordering platform, bringing the Punch Pizza experience directly to your door across the greater metro area.

2024

15 Years & Still Punching

We celebrated 15 years of serving the community, opened our catering division, and launched our expanded loyalty rewards program.

The People Behind the Pizza

Meet Our Team

Our passionate crew brings decades of culinary expertise and genuine love for great food to every shift.

Marco Delano

Founder & Head Chef

Trained in Naples under master pizzaiolo Enzo Esposito, Marco has over 20 years of Neapolitan pizza-making expertise and is the creative force behind every recipe.

Sofia Chen

Operations Manager

Sofia keeps every corner of Punch Pizza running like clockwork. With a background in hospitality management, she ensures every guest experience is exceptional.

James Rivera

Executive Sous Chef

James brings bold creativity to our seasonal specials. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, he constantly pushes the boundaries of flavor while respecting tradition.

Aisha Patel

Community & Events Lead

Aisha is the heartbeat of our community programs. She organizes catering events, local partnerships, and our annual neighborhood pizza festival each summer.

Love what we do? Join our growing team.

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What We Stand For

Our Core Values

These aren't just words on a wall — they're the principles that guide every decision we make, from how we source ingredients to how we treat every guest and every team member.

Punch Pizza dining room atmosphere with guests enjoying pizza

Excellence Always

We never settle for "good enough." Every pizza, every order, every service interaction is an opportunity to exceed expectations.

Respect for Craft

We honor the centuries-old Neapolitan tradition that inspired us, blending heritage techniques with modern creativity.

Inclusive Community

Our table is for everyone. We celebrate diversity in our team and in our guest base, creating space where all feel welcome.

Responsible Growth

We grow thoughtfully — supporting local suppliers, reducing waste, and investing in people before profits.

Constant Innovation

Tradition inspires us, but we never stop experimenting. Our seasonal menu evolves with fresh ideas every quarter.

Transparent Integrity

We are honest with our ingredients, our sourcing, and our pricing. What you see is what you get — always.

Crafted With Passion,Served With Pride