If you’re looking for a great pizza joint in Missouri, Denis Phillips’ Philly’s Pizza should be on your short list of places to try. A short drive from St. Louis will get you to Marthasville, Missouri and that much closer to another great success story of a foodservice entrepreneur and our latest foodservice business of the week selection.

Denis, whose official title is Big Philly, shares his story of resilience and hard work.

What inspired you to get into foodservice?  

I always loved the excitement that came with a dinner rush on Friday nights. It was as important to conquer those busy nights with the same competitive edge I needed when I played sports. The atmosphere was always great for my personality type as well!

What do you love about your business?

I love making great pizzas, all day, every day. I love building my community one pizza at a time. It’s always been a belief I’ve had that small businesses play such an instrumental role within a small community.

What’s the most interesting/oddest/coolest thing to happen to your business?

We were selected by Pizza Today for a small feature. We have also been on television a few times. But the strangest thing was having to pack up the store due to fast rising water this past December… all the while hoping that the levees will hold. They did!

What was the biggest business challenge you overcame?

The single biggest challenge came when I tried to obtain financing to open my first store, not one bank was willing to take a chance. So, I worked 3 jobs, and borrowed the last five thousand from my mother in order to get the required inventory needed to open. Never have Had to look back!

What Cambro products help make your business work?

We use Cambro exclusively for storage needs. We utilize them because they are durable, they really do hold up through the battles. The other HUGE benefit is that the containers stay air tight. This keeps my product integrity as fresh as I could ever hope for.

We wish Denis and the entire Philly’s Pizza team continued success! As the Cambro Foodservice Business of the Week selection, Denis will receive a storage prize pack.

Links for Philly’s Pizza

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Nominate your business to be the Cambro Foodservice Business of the Week – Click here!

About the Author: Felix Bazgan is the Senior Marketing Communications Manager. For more articles about Cambro Business of the Week selections, click here.