Thanksgiving Business Spotlight: Pizza Man
[December 27, 2025] Since
1981, there has been a business in Mt. Pulaski whose primary purpose has
been providing people both near and far with delicious pizza. Anyone
from Mt. Pulaski, of course, knows this business to be Pizza Man.
Previously a chain, all remaining Central Illinois Pizza Man locations
are now independently owned. While the business has swapped hands now
and again, current owner Griffin Tschantz has really tried to make the
business his own.
Located on Mt.
Pulaski’s Square, Tschantz and his wife Sallie bought Pizza Man from
Marcia and Jeff Holmes about nine years ago. Tschantz stated that the
Holmes were ready to sell, and he was looking for a change too. Having
worked at the Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) for twenty years, he
wanted a job where he would be able to spend a little more time with his
two kids. Since Pizza Man was already an established business, he felt
confident that they would be able to take that successful formula and
only add to it.
Tschantz invested
in renovating the location, giving it an update and making it look very
nice. He added alcoholic beverages to the menu, something that was not
an option for customers before he took over. Even more, he added a few
video gaming machines for customers who are interested.
There are
countertops behind the front counter, and the oven the pizzas are cooked
in is in the same area. While sitting and waiting for your food, you can
watch the pizzas being made right in front of you.
All this work has
evidently paid off. Tschantz stated that he loves the support he gets
from the community, saying that his customers are the best. One of those
customers, “Papa” John Hein, eats at Pizza Man every night. Tschantz
referred to him as “his number one customer.” Hein stated that his
favorite thing about the restaurant is just how clean it is kept. Of
course, he loves the food, stating that the reuben sandwich is one of
his favorites, and that the friendly staff and kind customers really
help the place to feel inviting.
[to top of second column] |
The most popular
pizza, according to Tschantz, is the ‘Hilltopper,’ named after the local
high school mascot. Similar to a supreme pizza, The Hilltopper has
sausage, onion, green pepper, pepperoni, mushrooms, and bacon bits. If
you are not in the mood for pizza, there are plenty of other options.
Tschantz stated that, outside of pizza, sub sandwiches are probably his
best-selling item. The club sandwich is always popular, but you can also
get pastas, baked spaghetti, and even lasagna made with bowtie noodles
rather than the traditional lasagna noodles.
Pizza Man also
has a party room just off the main dining area. Tschantz stated that, so
long as customers are purchasing food, he does not charge them for
booking the room. There are many birthday parties that are held there,
according to Tschantz.
Like many pizza restaurants, Pizza Man does deliver. They try to keep
their deliveries to a five mile or less radius, however. With only a
single delivery driver, Tschantz stated that going outside this range is
just not possible.
Tschantz also had some advice for people looking to open their own small
business. Tschantz talked about “peaks and valleys,” those being good
times for your business as well as low times. “Don’t let those valleys
scare you,” he said, “they will.” He also recommended business owners
keeping a ledger. “History repeats itself, and you can trend each month
and know what to expect.”
Pizza Man is located at 114 E Cooke St. in Mt Pulaski and is open six
days a week. They are closed on Mondays and are open Tuesday-Thursday
from 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 until
10:00, and Sundays from 5:00 until 9:00. You can follow them on Facebook
here.
[Matt Boutcher]
 |
