Palermo's Pizza
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food processing |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Founder | Gaspare (Jack) Fallucca and Zina Fallucca |
| Headquarters | Milwaukee , United States |
Key people | Giacomo Fallucca (CEO) |
| Products | Frozen pizza (Palermo's Primo Thin, Palermo's Neighborhood Pizzeria, Screamin' Sicilian, Urban Pie Pizza Co., Connie's Pizza) |
| Website | www |
Palermo's Pizza is a Milwaukee-based frozen pizza producer known for its branded lines such as Palermo's Primo Thin, Palermo's Neighborhood Pizzeria, Screamin' Sicilian, Urban Pie Pizza Co., and Connie's Pizza, in addition to private label offerings.
History
Established in 1964 by Italian immigrants Gaspare (Jack) Fallucca and his wife Zina, Palermo’s originally operated as an Italian bakery in Milwaukee. Starting with the sale of breads and pastries, the enterprise later expanded to include soups, sandwiches, and by 1969 had opened a pizzeria and restaurant. Following encouragement from a local grocer, the company shifted focus to frozen pizza manufacturing in 1979 by converting a former bakery into a production facility. As the brand expanded, Jack Fallucca became affectionately known as "Papa Palermo."
In 2009, Palermo Villa Inc. revealed plans to enlarge its Milwaukee headquarters located in the Menomonee River Valley, reflecting its growth and rising market presence. That same year, the brand gained exposure through features on Food Network’s Unwrapped and Discovery Channel’s Factory Made, boosting its public profile.
This calculated growth strategy and broad product range have reinforced Palermo’s standing in the frozen pizza sector, driven by effective leadership under CEO Giacomo Fallucca.
Distribution
The Palermo Family of Brands produces a variety of products including Palermo’s Primo Thin, Palermo’s Neighborhood Pizzeria, Screamin’ Sicilian, Urban Pie Pizza Co., and Connie’s Pizza.
Trademark infringement claim
In March 2007, Palermo Villa Inc. initiated a trademark infringement lawsuit against Trader Joe's over the use of the name Pizza Palermo. The dispute was resolved by July 2007 under confidential terms.
Labor dispute
On June 1, 2012, approximately half of Palermo's employees initiated a strike after nearly 89 immigrant workers were dismissed due to documentation issues. The striking workers alleged that these firings were retaliatory actions connected to union organizing efforts and highlighted concerns over low pay and working conditions. Labor unions and advocacy groups backed the strike and urged consumers to boycott Palermo's products.
Progress
CEO Giacomo Fallucca met with AFL–CIO President Richard Trumka on August 31, 2012; however, no agreement was reached. The company maintained that the dismissals complied with federal immigration enforcement. In November 2012, the National Labor Relations Board determined that while most terminations were lawful due to immigration audits, firing nine employees in retaliation for union activities violated federal law.
See also
External links
- Palermo's Pizza – official website for company products.