News

Farkas, owner of 28 Mama's Pizza stores, dead at 54

February 6, 2003

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DALLAS -- Frank "Chris" Farkas, who built a chain of 28 Mama's Pizza restaurants, died of a heart attack while at home on Feb. 1.

Farkas was 54, and was buried on Feb. 5.

According to The Dallas Morning News, Farkas and his father, Frank, purchased the first Mama's Pizza in Fort Worth in 1972, and built the business into a chain of 11 company-owned outlets and 17 franchises. The elder Farkas died in 1981.

In 2000, the younger Farkas sold all but one Mama's store, located in Ft. Worth.

Farkas' godson and restaurant manager, Jordan Scott, called him "the most gracious, giving individual there's ever been. His heart was huge. He was a real go-getter. He never did anything halfway or just a little bit."

Farkas served on the board of directors for the Fort Worth Chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) from 1978 to 1990 and was on that group's state board of directors from 1980 to 1990. He was a two-term TRA president and a past vice president. In 1985, he was voted the TRA Restaurateur of the Year.

Farkas is survived by his brother, Craig Farkas.