Apr 19, 2016 3 min read Business

Local Favorite Johnny’s Pizzeria Shows Brits How It’s Done In Upcoming BBC Documentary

So our very own John Miniaci Jr. and Johnny’s Pizza (5806 Fifth Avenue) are now international stars: the second-generation pizzamaker was interviewed yesterday afternoon for a BBC documentary on the relationship between technology and small food businesses.

Slated to air in September in England, the documentary “is about pizza, but also technology, like Seamless.com and Push For Pizza,” said Miniaci, whose father started the pizzeria in 1968, growing it into a neighborhood landmark that is so beloved and so distinct that people continue to order it for special occasions even after they’ve moved across the country.

Photo courtesy of Renee Giordano/Sunset Park BID.

That fandom is part of why the BBC chose to highlight Johnny’s Pizza in their film.

“It’s not just Johnny’s, but any mom and pop shop [that uses online ordering apps], so I talked about it how easy it is, just to press a button, enter your information one time and never have to enter again until your credit card expires. and you get what you ordered,” explained Miniaci.

Image via Johnny's Pizza. — Image via Johnny’s Pizza.

Johnny’s Pizza has been doing online ordering since 2007; in the past year, online sales made up a whopping 20 percent of their business.

Delivery radius varies, depending on what website you’re using, and can be anywhere from 2 to 2.5 miles.

Photo by Johnny's Pizza. — Photo by Johnny’s Pizza.

For special deliveries, cost is understandably higher, but they have delivered to states along the New England coast, to California, and to “a Kansas guy who orders a square pie every other week.”

“It’s not cheap to have it shipped,” Miniaci said. “You have it once to treat yourself for holiday or birthday. Someone treated their husband for Good Friday and Lent and he was like where did you get this, this tastes like Johnny’s! It is?!”

Rocco Coluccio and John Miniaci Jr. at Johnny's Pizza in Sunset Park. (Photo courtesy of Renee Giordano) — Rocco Coluccio and John Miniaci Jr. at Johnny’s Pizza in Sunset Park. (Photo courtesy of Renee Giordano)

What makes Johnny’s pizza so special?

“We’re a big staple in the community. for 50 years, and we’re here to stay in Sunset Park. Without the people, we’re nothing. The Sunset Park community made us what we are today,” he added. “Support your local mom and pop shops. shop small. go to your local merchants. everybody has their favorite pizza shop and bagel store, but patronize your local shops.”

Nydia Rivera and John Miniaci Jr of Johnny's Pizza. (Photo by Renee Giordano) — Nydia Rivera and John Miniaci Jr of Johnny’s Pizza. (Photo by Renee Giordano)

As for a possible third generation, Miniaci’s son is only four years old and his nephew has started working at the shop, but “they have quite a while.”

What’s your favorite Johnny’s Pizza order?