TRADITION
House of Pizza owner Brandon Testa tees up new opportunities, while holding fast to his family roots and hometown flavors.
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hen Brandon Testa probably the reason I was able to be purchased House of successful early on.” Pizza, the restaurant already had a strong & and loyal following in Central Bob Testa grew up in a restaurant Minnesota. But it wasn’t just because family, with brothers who owned of the food. “People would come in establishments on the south side of and say, ‘I know Bob,’ ” Testa said. Chicago. In 1963, on a trip to help a Bob Testa was Brandon’s father, and friend install an oven, he passed the founder of the House of Pizza. through St. Cloud and noticed there “He was married to the was a pizza place in town with a line restaurant,” Testa said. “As a kid I out the door. Recognizing the demand, always remember him in an apron, he moved to St. Cloud and opened working the ovens.” Testa loves House of Pizza in 1964. “He met the hearing stories from community owner of the building and said, ‘Hey, I members about his father — don’t have any money and I’ve got used particularly tales of “the pizza guy.” equipment,’ and made a handshake From school events to soccer games deal,” Testa said. “Six months later, my to the Poor Clare Monastery, Testa dad paid back the rent and then bought remembers countless occasions the building two years later.” when his dad showed up with pizzas Shortly after House of Pizza in hand for people to enjoy, never opened, Testa’s mom, Ruth Labat, expecting anything in return. If you began working for the restaurant, EVERYONE KNOWS BOB heard, “The pizza guy is here again!” where she met his dad. “She ended up Bob Testa in the original House of Pizza location. you knew that Bob was around. “You working for my dad for a long time,” His likeness was used in the mural that don’t really recognize things about Testa said. She played a significant role Brandon is standing in front of on the right. your parents until you’re older and a in the business, helping with remodels parent yourself,” Testa said. “For me, I and the overall development of the recognized things about him through other people.” restaurant. “Like any spouse, she played a pretty important role in It didn’t end when ownership changed, either. “He would come his entrepreneurial journey.” in every week and ask for an allocation of gift cards,” Testa recalls. While Brandon Testa grew up with a father in the restaurant At first, Testa objected, until he realized his father’s impact. “It’s business, he didn’t directly work there — unless he was in trouble part of his legacy — he was a walking billboard,” Testa said. “It was and given dishwashing duty. “He didn’t really want me or my
HANDSHAKES HOSPITALITY
Story by Emily Bertram • Photos by Switchboard
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