Operations

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana celebrates 100th anniversary

Academy Award-winning actor Paul Giamatti. Photo: Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana

June 27, 2025

The city of New Haven, Connecticut, recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of legacy brand Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, according to a press release.

Elected officials, community leaders and members of the Pepe family were on hand to unveil newly named "Frank and Filomena Pepe Corner" at Wooster Street and Brown Street in New Haven.

Frank Pepe immigrated to the United States from Italy as a teenager in 1909. He opened Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana in New Haven on June 16, 1925, with his wife, Filomena Pepe. Now in its 100th year, the family-operated pizzeria has become a cornerstone of American pizza culture, contributing to the growing popularity of New Haven-style pizza across the United States.

During the event, the pizzeria partnered with Connecticut Foodshare, donating 100% of guest contributions to support hunger relief efforts throughout the state.

These contributions resulted in nearly $700 and almost 10 bags of nonperishables in donations, which allowed the organization to provide approximately 1,380 meals to underserved communities.

"We're incredibly grateful to Frank Pepe's for using its 100-year celebration to give back to the community in such a meaningful way," Jason Jakubowski, president and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, said in the press release. "Their partnership has helped us serve more neighbors facing food insecurity, and we're honored to celebrate this milestone with them."

Academy Award-winning actor Paul Giamatti, a longtime fan of Frank Pepe's, also introduced a short film, which he also narrated, celebrating the Pepes' immigrant story and their influence on American Pizza culture.

A tribute video praising the late Gary Bimonte, beloved head pizza maker and co-owner was shown and members of the Bimonte family spoke about Bimonte's legacy as a pizzaiolo.

Frank Pepe's operates 17 locations across Connecticut, South Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York.