Meet Rudy & Carlos
Hard work, family and community built Chicago’s Pizza.
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls & hard work.”
— Thomas A. Edison
Essentially, opportunity looks a lot like hard work. We have never shied away from hard work, putting in the long hours and dedication to our business. From a young age we learned that these are the building blocks to becoming successful & persevering in life.
After being in the United States for 5 to 6 years, working for other people in construction, restaurants and other various odd jobs, we decided to set up a place of our own.
From Chicago pizzerias to Habersham County
A small carry-out in Clarkesville
Having had several years of experience working in successful pizzerias in Chicago, we made the decision to open up a small carry-out and delivery restaurant in Clarkesville, GA. Barely in our twenties, it was intimidating to start something from scratch. We barely survived the first couple of years we were open, never having more than three employees at a time, ourselves included. But that just made us more driven.
Pooling savings, taking a risk
So we pooled our savings and took a risk. Still employing only a handful of people, simply enough to keep the doors open. Gradually we began to have more and more regulars, patrons that always said hello with a handshake and a friendly smile. Everyone’s continued loyalty encouraged us to expand our business and knock out the wall to the adjoining space. And wow, it just took off! Nothing made us happier than seeing our group of regulars expand.
The old Sonic building in Demorest
An opportunity presented itself. We had driven past the old Sonic building right down the road numerous times, contemplating if we could make it work, or if we could even afford it. After much talk and debate, we decided to put our hard work ethic to the test.
Investing in our community
We wanted to invest in the community that had spent so many years investing in us. Almost a year to the date that we first walked into our local bank, Southern Bank & Trust, looking overwhelmed with all the paperwork, we were able to open the doors to our newly renovated Chicago’s Pizza.
Our patrons have become like family
We can honestly say the response from our community has been overwhelming. With having so many delicious restaurant choices in Habersham County, our patrons have become more like family and we love that they want to spend their evenings with us. We are humbled by the amount of people that have extended their congratulations to us and their well wishes, and the only thing that we want to do is make them proud.
