Hunt Brothers Pizza

Hunt Brothers Pizza stands as a remarkable success story in the American food service industry, representing over six decades of family-driven entrepreneurship and innovation in the pizza business. Located at 9970 Highway 119 in Alabaster, Alabama, this establishment exemplifies the company’s unique approach to bringing quality pizza to convenience store locations across the nation.[1] What began as a humble wholesale operation in 1962 has evolved into a powerhouse pizza chain with an estimated annual revenue between $400-800 million, operating hundreds of locations primarily within convenience stores, country markets, bowling alleys, arenas, and stadiums.[4]

The Hunt Brothers Pizza story originates with four brothers—Don, Lonnie, Jim, and Charlie Hunt—who grew up working in their father’s restaurant, Austin’s Drive-In, located in Evansville, Indiana.[2] In 1962, Don Hunt leveraged his restaurant experience and began selling pizza crusts and toppings directly from his Rambler station wagon, eventually establishing a wholesale food route called Pepe’s Pizza.[2] This initial venture distributed par-baked pizza crusts, dough balls, and other pizza items to restaurants, taverns, bowling alleys, and drive-in theaters throughout the southeastern United States.[3] By the early 1980s, the brothers had ventured apart to establish their own separate companies, each emulating the foundational success principles learned from Pepe’s Pizza. The original Pepe’s Pizza operation, which had grown to serve 36 cities, was sold in 1981.[3]

The modern Hunt Brothers Pizza enterprise was officially established in 1991 when the four brothers reunited with a singular mission: helping underserved rural convenience stores become successful business operations.[2] Recognizing an untapped market opportunity, they developed a restaurant-quality pizza featuring self-rising dough specifically engineered to fit seamlessly into convenience store operations.[2] This strategic pivot from wholesale distribution to a direct consumer model proved transformative. By 1994, merely three years after launching, the brand had already expanded to over 750 locations.[1] The company’s headquarters is based in Nashville, Tennessee, and remains family-owned and operated today, now in its second generation with Scott Hunt, son of Don Hunt, serving as CEO.[4]

Hunt Brothers Pizza has distinguished itself through its innovative “All Toppings, No Extra Charge” business model, which fundamentally changed customer expectations in the convenience store pizza category.[3] The company operates without franchise fees, royalty fees, or advertising fees, instead offering comprehensive marketing support and customizable point-of-sale presentations that complement each location’s existing footprint.[1] This approach has proven particularly effective in rural areas where traditional pizza delivery economics would be prohibitive. The business model capitalizes on the steady customer traffic already present in convenience stores, effectively eliminating traditional marketing costs while capturing breakfast and lunch traffic—traditionally weak periods for pizza businesses.[4]

The Alabaster, Alabama location represents one of many Hunt Brothers Pizza establishments offering create-your-own pizzas alongside wings and other complementary menu items. The company has achieved remarkable brand recognition, becoming the official pizza partner for prestigious venues including Bridgestone Arena and the Nashville Predators, as well as multiple Minor League Baseball teams.[1] Hunt Brothers Pizza’s success demonstrates how identifying underserved market segments and leveraging existing infrastructure can create sustainable competitive advantages that major competitors struggle to replicate. Today, the company continues operating under the foundational principles established by the Hunt family: putting God first, treating customers with respect, and striving for excellence in every aspect of their operations.[3]