RIZZO'S PIZZERIA

Many businesses start with a dream or a glimmer of passion in the back of a business owner's mind. Rizzo's is no different, but what makes our story truly unique is what can be found at our core: family. It was something Sherrie Rossi was the most passionate about, and turned that into a thriving, marketable home for the South Bay community. 

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Sherrie was married to Chuck Rossi, a veteran, who held a fluid job with a major retail store which had them transferring locations almost every two years. The Rossi's had four children prior to leaving Michigan, and the six of them headed west together as a team. 

 

Setting roots wherever they landed, Sherrie was determined to contribute to the home and have a career for herself. She spent her journeys in kitchens, learning and soaking in all she could from her mentors. Dabbling in the entrepreneurial world, Sherrie opened her first restaurant in XXX with her partner XXX. During Sherrie's start, she opened up XXX restaurants before permanently settling down. 

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Queue Rizzo's Pizzeria. In XXXX the Rossi's made it to California, specifically Torrance, California. Here is where the roots took, and on her own, Sherrie went all in. Her children were all in high school now, all attending West Torrance High School. The drive for restaurants was still there for Sherrie, and the main motivation: those kids. Chuck was working full time and being in a new state, Sherrie needed a place to keep an eye on her kids. 

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Rizzo's Pizzeria was opened in 1981. Getting started was no easy feat; it was not common to find a woman seeking loans and credit on her own to fund a business and it was even more rare to see those pleasantries extended. In the beginning, the staff was the family and a few of the kids' high school friends (as Sherrie had intended!).

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In 2011, Rizzo's re-located to the city of Lomita for a growth opportunity. 

 

Sherrie preached family, [comm]unity, & second chances. She taught that you always extend a helping hand and take care of those who need it most. Sherrie led by example and coached anyone willing to learn. Today, Rizzo's embodies her life's passions and intentions. Our employees are often high school kids needing experience or guidance and we often times see come-backs when life happens to them. Fundraisers and donations to schools, churches, sports teams, etc. are just some of the ways we try to give back fiscally to the community.