Our Story

Mangia Pizza was founded in Austin, Texas in November of 1988, but the idea was born eleven years earlier by an OSHA inspector in Chicago . In 1977 Jeff Sayers spent six weeks in OSHA training in Chicago, Illinois. While in Chicago, Jeff had his first taste of "real" pizza and fell in love. After several visits to Chicago over the next ten years the idea of opening a "Real" pizza restaurant of his own in Texas took shape.

In 1985, Jeff left his job with the government to work in Chicago and learn the pizza business first hand. This lesson lasted three years and Jeff came back to Texas ready to open his own "real" pizza restaurant. Deciding that Austin was the best area for his restaurant despite the economic down turn at the time, he and his wife Michelle opened the first Mangia at 1610 San Antonio Street on Novemeber 11, 1988.

After a lot of hard work Mangia became a success and in 1989 Mangia was voted the best pizza in Austin in the Austin Chronicle Readers Poll. Mangia won again in 1995, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2002. In January 1992, Mangia moved to the larger West Anderson Lane location to have access to North Austin . In May of 1993 Mangia opened it's second location on Lake Austin Boulevard. Continued success lead to the opening of the Guadalupe location in May of 1995 giving Mangia three locations and access to the majority of Austin. The original Mangia moved to its third location and it's current larger home on Mesa Drive in October 1996.

In 1998 Mark Negro had his own dream. He was working on opening his own restaurant in San Antonio Texas. An executive with Hilton Hotels for ten years and having spent over twenty years in the restaurant business he was eager to create his own company. Mark and his wife Liz met Jeff through a friend of a friend, and asked him to review the business plan of his new restuarant.  Mark, Jeff and Liz met at the Mangia on Mesa and all three felt an immediate chemistry. Jeff was impressed by Mark's Business Plan and Mark LOVED Jeff's pizza and over the next few months a Partnership was formed. Mark and Liz packed up and moved to Austin and Mark started as Co-owner and Head Coach on St. Patrick’s Day in March of 1998. 

 Since this partnership was formed, Mangia has continued to win awards including "The Best Pizza In Austin" from numerous publications as well as being a question on Jeopardy, and recently starring in the movie "Man of The House" with Tommy Lee Jones and Cederic the Entertainer.In August 2005, Mangia was named the "National Independent Pizza Company of the Year" by Pizza Today, the leading trade publication for pizza and Italian cuisine.Mangia also made its way onto national television in September 2006, with our football shaped pizzas being featured on ESPN 2’s Cold Pizza show.

In May 2005, Mangia added a fourth restaurant and our largest restaurant with the opening of Gracy Farm’s at 12001 Burnet Rd. The beginning of 2006 saw Mangia spread our wings at Austin Bergstrom International Airport, Gate 12 to be exact.This great opportunity gives us a chance to share our great food with domestic and international travelers.In addition to our traditional stuffed and thin pizzas, our airport menu includes a Mangia first, breakfast pizzas (only found at the airport).

But wait, that's not all, in July 2006 Mangia headed North to Round Rock.This is our first expansion outside of Austin and we couldn't be more excited. 

Mangia has had tremendous success with all of our existing locations but know that we don't want to grow too quickly.  We make it a point to build and maintain a loyal customer base while keeping our local Mangia culture and staying Austin weird.  Our customers are our friends and we want them to know it each time they come to see us.