The go - to pizza pie shop of mall nutrient court across the country started as a small Italian grocery in Brooklyn run under the rigid oculus of"Mama " Sbarro . Read on for 10 fact about the companyMichael Scott once calledhis " favourite New York pizza roast . "
1. FOUNDER CARMELA “MAMA” SBARRO USED SEWING MONEY TO OPEN THE FIRST SBARRO.
Carmela grew up in Italy work in aNaples butcher shop . In 1956 , she moved her husband , Gennaro , and three sons to Brooklyn ; Gennaro and two of the boys went to piece of work in local Italian shops . Mama , with needle and yarn in bridge player , saved themoney she madesewing doll ’s clothes to open up their own " salumeria"—an Italian foodstuff store .
2. THE FIRST SBARRO DIDN’T SELL PIZZA.
Mama Sbarro used her knowledge of Italian meats and cheeses to open her own Italian grocery store that sold fresh prosciutto , cured meats , and smoked mozzarella in theBensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklynin 1956 . finally , the deli and blistering nutrient section of the store took over and Sbarro added pizza pie to their menu .
3. MAMA WORKED IN THE ORIGINAL STORE FROM THE DAY IT OPENED TO THE DAY IT CLOSED.
Regulars in the region remember Mama Sbarro as a force to be reckoned with when she was behind the counter , serving chicken parmigiana and cheesecake in high heels . She wanted things done the right room — in special , client knew never to ask for ketchup or mayonnaise on a prosciutto sandwich . " I do n’t do that,“she would say . “You want mayonnaise on your sandwich , go somewhere else . " Theoriginal locating closed in 2004when Mama was ineffectual to continue endure the kitchen due to health issues .
4. THE CHEESECAKES ARE STILL HER ORIGINAL RECIPE.
Mama Sbarro personallymade every cheesecake soldat all Sbarro stores until the demand became too much and her boy win over her to get a supplier . She eventually fit in , but the baking of nearly 1000 cheesecakes every calendar week was always complete under Mama ’s watchful eye .
5. THE COMPANY’S BIG BREAK WAS AT A MALL IN BROOKLYN.
In the former days of thefood motor hotel , thirsty shopper were kick in in the main the option of snack foods — pretzels , meth , cookies — when they were shopping . When the Sbarros went to the food court of theKing ’s Plaza Shopping Centerin Brooklyn , they saw a cluster of thirsty shopper who depend like , to the Sbarros , people who could use some pizza . The family die to work formulate a food court - concept for their store and start opening stores in malls , airdrome , university , movies theaters , and toll route shopping plaza .
6. THERE IS A SBARRO LOCATION IN THE PENTAGON.
Today , there are800 Sbarro locationsacross 33 area , let in the concessions of the headquarters of theU.S. Department of Defense . pizza pie lovers in India , Turkey , and Jerusalem are also able-bodied to get their own New York fade .
7. THE SBARRO FAMILY IS NO LONGER INVOLVED WITH THE COMPANY.
Sbarro launched into the American pizza game by wed itself to the shopping mall , which also mean that the company ’s winner and failure are closely marry to those of shopping malls . In 2006 , the company was bought from the founding family by a individual fairness firm , and just five year laterSbarro file its first Chapter 11 bankruptcy . The company come out but it still essay to put itself back fully on its feet . Sbarro is now own by two secret investment firms and current CEO David Karam .
8. SBARRO STARTED DELIVERING THEIR PIZZA IN 2015.
Unfortunately , though , only to those who live in the speech geographical zone of their first free - standing store in Columbus , Ohio . Adding deliverywas one of many steps the society took to rebrand itself after a second round of money issues that result to theclosing of 155 of its 400 locationsin North America . Sbarro also updated their logo and changed their marketing to a " pizza pie - centrical " nidus that emphasize on the quality of their ingredients and the history of the Sbarro family .
9. SBARRO IS LOOKING TO GRAB A PIECE OF THE FAST CASUAL PIE.
Sbarro launched its first sit - down made - to - order eating house in Columbus , Ohio in 2013.Cucinovafeatures a Chipotle - trend card that leave diner to make their own salads , pastas , and Neapolitan pizzas cooked in a woodfire oven . The troupe hop to snaffle the tending of trendy , intellectual nourishment - minded millennials who might not even hump that they ’re eating in a Sbarro steel restaurant .
