A Local New York Pizza Chain Is One Of The Best Small Businesses In The Nation
Every small business has a story, and the story behind New York’s Champion Pizza is sure to inspire. It’s a story of trials and triumphs, flaming dough, faith, and philanthropy. It all begins with one man’s dream and ends with a legacy that’s sure to transcend a single lifetime. That man is owner Hakki Akdeniz and that legacy isn’t pizza, it’s perseverance.
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Akdeniz is Kurdish, was raised in Turkey, and immigrated to Canada as a young man. He worked at a pizzeria in Montreal but hoped to one day run his own shop.
He worked tirelessly, until a friend convinced him to move to New York City. It was the place to be if you wanted to get into the pizza business, and he was promised a place to stay. That promise fell through and he ended up spending nights in a motel while looking for a job. He struggled with the language and had difficulty finding work. The money he’d saved ran out, and he ended up homeless.
After months in the Bowery Mission, he was able to secure a job at a Mediterranean Pizzeria in Hoboken, New Jersey. He got his start washing dishes, not making pizzas, but was grateful just to have a job. In his words, "that first paycheck felt like a million bucks… ten million bucks."
Eventually, he saved enough to rent an apartment. While he had to live with roommates, he had a roof over his head.
Not long after, he began working at a pizzeria in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. Still a dishwasher, his dream to own a pizzeria seemed far off – but it wasn’t.
With a lot of work and a little luck, he was promoted to "pizza maker." He spent years improving his skills and continued to save as much as he could. He found a location and a partner, but his partner walked with the money. Though disheartened, he never gave up. He worked extra shifts, saved all over again, and eventually purchased a small pizzeria on the Lower East Side. Though just an oven and a counter, New York real estate does not come cheap. He struggled to make payments, lived out of the shop, and came close to losing the business.
That all turned around after he became a world-renown pizza acrobat.
An art form that gained popularity in the 1980s, it has since become a competitive sport. Akdeniz heard about pizza acrobatics by chance, while working in a pizzeria. For years, he competed with the U.S. Pizza Team, mastering the art of spinning dough. It’s not as easy as one may believe, especially when that dough is covered in flames. In his first year, he came in 87th place. Determined, he continued to compete, improving his dexterity and hand-eye coordination; he also added fire to his routine.
In 2010, he became a champion, securing the top spot in a well-known competition. His victory merited a magazine feature and the publicity that came with it.
Thousands of magazines were distributed to the local community, bringing in business. He was able to pay off his shop and purchase another. He refined his recipe, improved his ingredients, and built a veritable pizza empire.
Today, there are seven Champion Pizza locations in New York City, with New Jersey locations in the works. The award-winning restaurants have made headlines for their massive, mouthwatering pies, and fans of the brand can now buy a frozen version in dozens of Metropolitan-area supermarkets. While impressive, these successes are just part of the story.
When you have a slice of Champion Pizza, you’re not just enjoying a delicious pie, you’re supporting a business that gives back by the boatload.
Quite literally, as Akdeniz shipped several trucks worth of supplies to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. He gives back locally, as well, providing free pizza to homeless individuals. More than free pizza, he offers them jobs, MetroCards for subway travel, and hope.
Speaking with Akdeniz left us feeling hopeful, as well. His advice is this: “believe in yourself and always have faith.” There is truly no telling what you can accomplish. Twenty years ago, Akdeniz had no home. Today, he could have almost anything, but cares more about who he can help than what he can afford. The more Akdeniz has, the more he gives, but even the smallest donations and simplest acts of kindness can make a difference. He leaves us with a final thought, “you don’t have to be perfect or rich to help others.”
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Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management.
