Nestled in Leeds, Alabama, at 1104 Ashville Rd SE, Hunt Brothers Pizza stands as a testament to family-driven innovation and convenience-focused dining. What began as a humble wholesale operation in 1962, when four brothers—Don, Lonnie, Jim, and Charlie Hunt—started delivering pizza crusts and toppings from a Rambler station wagon, has evolved into a nationwide convenience store pizza powerhouse. Today, the brand thrives on a mission to empower small businesses, particularly in underserved rural communities, by offering restaurant-quality pizza through a streamlined, turnkey model tailored for c-store operations.

The Hunt brothers’ journey traces back to their roots at Austin’s Drive-In, their father’s restaurant in Evansville, Indiana, where they honed their culinary and entrepreneurial skills. Their early venture, Pepe’s Pizza, supplied par-baked crusts and ingredients to bowling alleys, drive-in theaters, and taverns, laying the groundwork for a distribution network that would later define their success. After selling Pepe’s in 1981 and pursuing separate paths, the brothers reunited in 1991 with a clear vision: simplify pizza-making for convenience stores while maintaining quality. This pivot marked the birth of Hunt Brothers Pizza, a brand built on the ethos of “helping others be successful” and prioritizing community over corporate expansion.

At its core, Hunt Brothers Pizza operates on an “All Toppings, No Extra Charge®” model, a rarity in the pizza industry that allows customers to customize their pies without financial penalties. This buffet-style approach, combined with a focus on speed and accessibility, caters perfectly to the on-the-go clientele frequenting convenience stores. The menu features create-your-own pizzas with self-rising dough, thin-crust options, and additions like chicken wings and breakfast pizza, all designed to cook quickly in specialized Lincoln Conveyor Ovens. By eliminating complex kitchen requirements, the brand enables c-store owners to offer fresh, affordable meals without the overhead of traditional pizzerias.

Strategic partnerships and localized support have been critical to the company’s growth. With distribution hubs in Nashville and Paris, Kentucky, Hunt Brothers Pizza now serves over 5,600 locations nationwide, many in areas where pizza options were previously limited. The company’s hands-on approach includes on-site sampling to introduce pizza to new markets—a tactic dating back to the Pepe’s era—and NASCAR sponsorships to amplify brand visibility. This grassroots strategy reflects the brothers’ belief in “poking pizza in people’s mouths” to build loyalty, a practice still emphasized by descendants like Erin Hunt Ferguson, who continue the family legacy in distribution roles.

For the Leeds location, this translates to a neighborhood-friendly operation where customers can craft personalized pizzas or grab quick bites like wings, all within the familiar setting of a convenience store. The model not only meets the demands of busy lifestyles but also supports local business owners by providing training, marketing, and equipment. By maintaining a laser focus on simplicity, affordability, and community, Hunt Brothers Pizza has carved a unique niche in the restaurant industry—one where family values and innovative logistics converge to redefine fast, casual dining.