When Farrelli’s Pizza threw a 30th-anniversary party at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Washington, this summer, the event looked more like a community festival than a corporate milestone. More than 1,200 team members, families, business partners, and friends gathered for batting practice, live music, kids’ games, fireworks and, of course, pizza. For Farrelli’s, it wasn’t just about marking time in business—it was about celebrating the people who made three decades of growth possible.
Founded in 1995 by John and Margaret Farrell with their daughter, Jacque, Farrelli’s has expanded from a single pizzeria in Lacey, Washington, to 12 locations across the state. That growth didn’t come overnight. Seven banks turned down the Farrells’ first business plan, and it took nearly a decade before they opened a second restaurant. That slow build, guided by patience and debt discipline, set the tone for a company that has always chosen steady, sustainable growth over rapid expansion.
Today, Jacque Farrell—who was 23 years old when the brand was founded—has become CEO of Farrelli’s Pizza and leads a team of more than 600 hospitality professionals. While the company has grown in size and sophistication, the philosophy remains simple: “Great people make great pizza.” Farrelli’s has long operated under a mission statement to “use our business systems to create a vibrant working family that nourishes our neighborhoods.”
Related: Farrelli’s Pizza Ownership Explains Company Philosophy in Keynote Address at Pizza Expo
It’s a mission employees seem to feel personally. Videos shown at past company gatherings feature staff talking about the skills they’ve gained, the support they’ve received and the pride they take in being part of Farrelli’s. The leadership team is largely homegrown, reflecting the Farrells’ belief that investing in their people is the surest way to build strong restaurants.
That belief was on display again at the anniversary celebration. In addition to ballpark festivities, Farrelli’s hosted its annual employee awards ceremony, complete with a National Anthem performance and a seventh-inning stretch. By shining a spotlight on staff achievements in front of families and peers, Farrelli’s underscored its culture of appreciation and fun.
Farrelli’s values—Quality, Integrity, Discipline, Cleanliness, Appreciation, Growth, and Fun—are more than words on a wall. They provide a framework for decisions, from menu development to hiring to community involvement. Cheney Stadium’s family-friendly backdrop served as a reminder that, for Farrelli’s, the business is about more than pizza sales; it’s about connection.
According to a press release, the company plans to continue its steady growth while staying true to its roots: nurturing teams, strengthening neighborhoods and keeping Farrelli’s a place where families—both those who work there and those who dine there—feel at home.
