FROM DELIVERY DRIVER TO OWNER

If the American dream is dead, that's news to Vitalii Sadovskyi and Anatolii Kavun. Both former delivery drivers for Sarpino's Pizzeria of Oak Park, the partners now own two Sarpino's locations of their own; Sarpino's of Clive, Iowa located at 15700 Hickman Rd #130 and the other, Sarpino's Pizzeria of Riverwoods, located at 2017 Milwaukee Ave. The Lincolnshire based pizza franchise is famous for its gourmet pizza options made with authentic Italian recipes and provided with free delivery.

Sadovskyi and Kavun worked for years in construction before the sporadic, seasonal nature of the work became too much to bear. The two came upon the Oak Park location of Sarpino's where they soon became delivery drivers. But within three months both were promoted to managers and later, advertising managers. It was in that position that they were able to help the owner increase sales and it was there that they came upon the prospect of owning a Sarpino's of their own.

"After our success working for Sarpino's we had not just the confidence in what the brand has to offer, but a sense of excitement as well," said Sadovskyi. "With the franchisee support we witnessed from corporate, it was clear that Sarpino's gave us something that every American looking for a better life seeks: opportunity."

That opportunity, which was presented within the first year Sadovskyi and Kavun were employed with Sarpino's, came in the form of the Clive, Iowa Sarpino's location, which came on the market. Investing all of their money to purchase this location and living off of credit cards, the two reinvented the restaurant's business plan and by the fourth month in operation, doubled their business. Accolades from Sarpino's corporate followed swiftly; the partners were nominated for the Best Franchisee award multiple times in quick succession.

"Everybody at Sarpino's corporate was really excited about our work and they made us seem like heroes," said Sadovskyi. "This motivated a lot of young people to come to work in Sarpino's and grow the Sarpino's brand further."

After four years of success with the Clive location, Sadovskyi and Kavun purchased the Riverwoods location from the existing franchisee in December. The duo has increased operation efficiency and sales in both locations dramatically.

That is why these locations are but two of the many they hope to own. Within five years the two are looking to own 10 locations and they aspire to one day own as many as 40 Sarpino's Pizzeria franchises.

"The U.S. is a great place for opportunities and Sarpino's is a great franchise to translate those opportunities into successes," said Sadovskyi. "The successes Anatolii and I have achieved were the result of hard work backed by a level of support from Sarpino's that is frankly unparalleled. We are proof positive that the American dream is alive and well."

ABOUT SARPINO'S PIZZERIA

Sarpino's Pizzeria currently has 48 fully operational locations in eight states across the U.S. They have a total of 65 fully executed franchise agreements. They expect to have 65 locations open by the end of 2015 and 350 locations within five years. Target markets with current store opportunities include Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C.