From organic pies to hybrid deliveries, Pizza Fusion fully green
Pizza Fusion opened its first Midwest organic pizzeria in Naperville armed with a mission to help the environment and serve natural foods.
Tom Katsenos launched the franchise earlier this month with the company motto, "saving the earth, one pizza at a time." The pizzeria at 2555 E. 75th St., near Whole Foods, goes beyond offering an organic menu of pizza, sandwiches, salads, desserts and beers and wines. It also offers vegan menu items as well as gluten-free items.
"Our gluten free pizza and brownies have been going over well. Some of our celiac customers have never had pizza before," Katsenos said.
The menu is made up of mainly organic food and is acquired from farmers near the store. The personal pizzas start at $7 while a large starts at $19.
The company goes beyond using organic veggies and earth-friendly light bulbs. For example, the chain delivers food in company-owned hybrid vehicles and uses hydro powered sensor sinks in the bathrooms. The floor is made of bamboo and the tables are reclaimed white oak taken from the Old Harrison Conference Center in Lake Bluff.
Actual blue jeans have been used for insulation. A tile in the ceiling has been removed so that customers can actually see the denim, said Katsenos, 42.
The eatery, which seats 44 and another 10 at the bar, also features a recycled glass bar top and solar tubes in the bathrooms for natural light.
"Even our bud vases on the tables are recycled glass," Katsenos said.
The entrepreneur has spent his career in the restaurant business. He owned JT's Road House in Antioch for 12 years before selling it four years ago. He then worked in the supermarket industry before restaurants called him back.
"It's in my blood," he said of the dining arena.
Katsenos, who resides in Chicago, said he looked for a franchise and found Pizza Fusion in Florida. He met with company founders Vaughan Lazar and Michael Gordon, former Florida Atlantic University business students.
Katsanos was hooked on the concept. He plans to launch additional locations in the suburbs. There are currently 18 across the country.
The Naperville eatery is planning an array of environmentally friendly initiatives, including offering children's organics classes. The first session is geared to teach children about alternative forms of energy and preserving the planets resources.
Other specials include a 20 percent discount on Mondays if you drive a hybrid vehicle and half-price bottles of wine on Wednesdays. On Thursdays there is no extra charge for gluten- free pizzas; usually they are $7 more.
The eatery is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
For more information, check out pizzafusion.com or call (630) 355-9898.
• Kim Mikus covers retail and small business. She welcomes comments at (847) 427-4567 or kmikus@dailyherald.com.