With a “community over competition” philosophy, LeeAngelo’s pizzeria co-owners Angelo Gonzales and LeeAnn Greitzer have created a family-owned business focused on giving back.

“We know we’re nothing without the community,” said Joe Gonzalez, LeeAngelo’s director of operations.

LeeAngelo’s first pizzeria and restaurant location opened in November 2011 in Akron, and a second location opened in Aurora the same year. 

Their Kent location opened its doors Feb. 16, 2024.

How it started

In Nov. 2011, co-owner Angelo Gonzales opened a “Your Pizza Shop” in Akron, and in 2021, he decided to start his own franchise with the name LeeAngelo’s, according to Joe Gonzalez. 

“He decided to take the leap and wanted to make his own franchise, so after COVID, he decided to rebrand,” Joe Gonzalez said. “We tore the shop apart in Akron, we rebuilt it and then we started with LeeAngelo’s.”

The Kent location at 1422 Mogadore Road is run by Angelo Gonzales’ father, keeping to their tradition of a family-owned establishment.

“We’re trying to get [the Kent location] under our belt and get it going,” Joe Gonzalez said. “We do want to expand in the future.”

Joe Gonzalez, cousin to co-owner Angelo Gonzales, has been a part of the business for five years.

“Through these last five years, I’ve grown into the position I am in now and it’s been a fun journey,” Joe Gonzalez said. “It’s been amazing.”

Where are they now?

The LeeAngelo’s brand, opened now for just under three years, is committed to supporting and giving back to their local communities.

“We’re community over competition,” Joe Gonzalez said. “In our Aurora location, we donated over $65,000 last year to the school itself and the community. We’re doing the same thing here in Kent.” 

LeeAngelo’s is working to provide food, money, assistance with sports programs and school supplies to kids in the Kent City and Stow-Munroe Falls City school districts, Joe Gonzalez said.

The LeeAngelo’s mission

The management team is focused on creating leaders throughout LeeAngelo’s businesses and within the community, always in search of constant growth, Joe Gonzalez said.

“We are a pizza shop, but that’s just a vehicle we use to be good leaders,” Joe Gonzalez said. “We want to coach leadership and teach that being the best version of yourself and helping everyone else around you [is important]. It’s the main thing for us.”

LeeAngelo’s is located inside MadCap Brew Co., a 15,000 square-feet, repurposed machine shop. 

“It’s a fun place–there’s a bunch of pinball machines, pool tables, ski ball, and it’s like a grown up arcade,” Joe Gonzalez said. “It’s a fun place to hang out.”

Offering pizza, subs, sandwiches, wings and more, LeeAngelo’s is more than just a pizza shop, Joe Gonzalez said.

“We’re driven by gratitude,” Joe Gonzalez said. “We’re very grateful for the opportunities we have to be able to help the young and provide good food to the community and a place for people to hangout.”

Lauren Bischof is a beat reporter. Contact her at [email protected].